All four staffers take USC
This week's games
TCU at Baylor
Minnesota at Southern California
South Florida at Notre Dame
Northwestern at Boston College
BYU at Ole Miss
LSU vs. Oregon
Boise State vs. Georgia
Miami at Maryland
SMU at Texas A&M
South Carolina vs. East Carolina
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James Kratch
TCU
Southern California
Notre Dame
Northwestern
BYU
LSU
Boise State
Maryland
Texas A&M
In eight regular season home games last season, the Carolina Panthers scored a grand total of 88 points at Bank of America Stadium. The Gamecocks and Pirates will combine to surpass that figure in four quarters tomorrow. For Steve Spurrier, this will be the perfect season opener. His offense will score at will against an inept ECU defense, while his defense will have a few late-game breakdowns against Dominique Davis and give him something to complain about heading into Georgia. USC opens up a big lead early, but the Pirates pull together a few garbage time scores to save a bit of face. Gamecocks 54, East Carolina 35
Ryan Velasquez
TCU
Southern California
Notre Dame
Northwestern
Ole Miss
Oregon
Georgia
Maryland
Texas A&M
South Carolina's shocking quarterback decision will have no effect in its opener against East Carolina. Regardless of who is behind center, the Gamecocks won't have any trouble igniting their aerial attack. Alshon Jeffery will have a field day with the secondary, enough so that his services won't be required after the third quarter. The same goes for Marcus Lattimore, who will make his first impression on the Heisman Trophy committee by rolling over a porous Pirate defense. ECU quarterback Dominique Davis will put up a respectable passing total, but will receive a personal introduction tofrom Jadeveon Clowney and the rest of the defensive line on several occasions. Gamecocks 45, East Carolina 20
Isabelle Khurshudyan
TCU
Southern California
Notre Dame
Northwestern
Ole Miss
Oregon
Georgia
Miami
Texas A&M
There's been concern over the thin Gamecock secondary, but that won't be an issue on Saturday as the Gamecock offense will not be contained. No matter who plays quarterback, Marcus Lattimore will begin his Heisman campaign by rushing for three scores before being pulled in the fourth quarter, giving Kenny Miles and Shon Carson an opportunity to play. The USC receiving corps will take advantage of a mismatch of its own with the ECU secondary. The Pirates will be able to score, but not enough to keep South Carolina from its first win of the season. Gamecocks 42, East Carolina 20
Paulina Berkovich
TCU
Southern California
Notre Dame
Boston College
Ole Miss
Oregon
Georgia
Miami
Texas A&M
The beginning of Saturday's game will have Gamecock fans shaking their heads. Connor Shaw will throw an interception in USC's first possession, and ECU quarterback Dominique Davis, whose speed in getting rid of the ball leaves the Gamecocks scrambling to catch up, will put the Pirates on the board in the opening minutes. But USC, and Shaw and Garcia won't take long to respond, taking advantage of ECU's notoriously poor defense and never looking back. Marcus Lattimore will get his season off to a tremendous start, rushing for over 150 yards with two touchdowns, and Jadeveon Clowney will lead the team with six tackles. This one won't even be close in the end. Gamecocks 38, East Carolina 14
