Week 1: NC State at South Carolina

With both teams coming off disappointing seasons, this match-up represents a chance to get 2008 started off in the right direction. NC State head coach Tom O’Brien enters his second year at the helm, but it may take another year before this program can challenge for a spot among the top teams in the ACC. Make no mistake, Steve Spurrier was not a happy coach after last season’s five-game losing streak to close out the year — the first in Spurrier’s coaching career.

Both starting quarterbacks will be watched closely in this contest. South Carolina’s starter Tommy Beecher struggled in fall practice, while the Wolfpack named Russell Wilson the top signal-caller just a week ago. Wilson is a redshirt freshman with promise, but zero game experience. Wilson also lacks proven receiving weapons, but Beecher will return one of the best receivers in the SEC in Kenny McKinley.

Aside from a green quarterback, State will be without running back Jamelle Eugene for the opener due to an ankle injury. Eugene rushed for 667 yards and five touchdowns last season. The Gamecocks ranked 110th in the NCAA in stopping the run last year, but should be better with the return of linebacker Jasper Brinkley from a season-ending injury. Along with stopping the run, both teams will have to shore up their offensive lines to contend for a bowl bid this season.

Things to Watch:

South Carolina and NC State have met 55 times, with the Wolfpack owning a slight series edge at 26–25–4. The last match-up was in 1999 — an 10-0 NC State win in Lou Holtz’s first game at South Carolina.

The quarterback derby continued well into fall practice for the Wolfpack. O’Brien plans to redshirt highly touted freshman Mike Glennon this season, while Jamie Burke decided to transfer to Louisville.

Injuries have taken a toll on the Wolfpack in fall practice. Receiver Donald Bowens, expected to be one of the top options in the passing game, will miss the 2008 season with a hairline fracture in his spine. Running back Toney Baker is out a couple of weeks after knee surgery, and safety Clem Johnson is out indefinitely with a broken jaw.

Key Player (Wolfpack) – Andre Brown, RB

The Wolfpack backfield has been riddled with injuries over the last year and due to Eugene’s ankle injury, Brown becomes the team’s number one back for this contest. The senior is a capable player, but missed six games due to injury last season. If the Wolfpack hope win this game, they will need at least 20 solid carries from Brown.

Key Player (Gamecocks) – Tommy Beecher, QB

Since Spurrier came to Columbia, he’s struggled to find a consistent signal-caller for his offense. Beecher won the job in the spring and managed to hold onto it in the fall, despite his struggles. Spurrier has been adamant that Beecher is his quarterback, but if he struggles early in this game, how long will it take for Chris Smelley or even Stephen Garcia to see the field?

South Carolina by 10