Yahoo Sports First look: Top storylines, betting odds for South Carolina vs. Old Dominion game
Welcome to Week 1.
The 2024 college football season has officially arrived. South Carolina kicks off its campaign Saturday versus Old Dominion.
Here is an early look at the Gamecocks vs. Monarchs:
South Carolina vs. Old Dominion TV/stream info
Who: South Carolina vs. Old Dominion
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC
When: 4:15 p.m. Saturday
TV: SEC Network
Stream: via the ESPN app
Series history: Saturday will be the first football game played between these two programs.
Point spread
South Carolina is a 20.5-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel, and a 21-favorite, according to OddsShark. The over/under for total points scored is 53.5.
About South Carolina
The Gamecocks finished 2023 with a 5-7 record and failed to make a bowl game for the first time under coach Shane Beamer. Since then, USC has found a new starting quarterback, a new running back and brought another five-star freshman to town in Dylan Stewart.
The offensive line, a sore spot last season (both figuratively and literally having experienced double-digit injuries), stayed in Columbia for the entire month of May to improve. The defense returns a lot of experience. And last year’s subpar record has everybody extra fired up to realize their full potential this season.
About Old Dominion
The Monarchs finished 2023 with a 6-7 record. Old Dominion nearly upset Wake Forest in Week 3, falling 27-24 after being down 17 at halftime. ODU lost to Western Kentucky in overtime by three points at the Famous Toastery Bowl.
The Monarchs were predicted to finish sixth in 2024 among the seven teams in the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division. Ricky Rahne is in his fifth season as the ODU head coach.
Gamecocks and Monarchs to watch
USC QB LaNorris Sellers: Beamer officially named Sellers USC’s Week 1 starter at his Tuesday press conference last week. He played in just three games as a true freshman in 2023 but impressed with limited minutes. He launched a 50-yard pass to Tyshawn Russell in the home opener against Furman and scored a 36-yard touchdown run against Vanderbilt.
USC RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders: South Carolina’s most exciting transfer portal acquisition of the offseason is set to make his debut this weekend. After an injury-riddled 2023 season at Arkansas, Beamer and his staff are confident that Sanders has returned to top form.
“People don’t talk enough about him in pass protection — he’s really good in pass protection, and that’s so critical at the running back position,” Beamer said after USC’s preseason scrimmage Aug. 17. “He runs good routes in the passing game. He can catch. He’s just a really good, overall running back.”
Old Dominion WR Kelby Williams: Williams averaged 17.3 yards per catch last season, ranking No. 42 in the country. He caught two 44-yard passes, including a 37-yard touchdown in ODU’s win over Louisiana.
Old Dominion LB Jason Henderson: Henderson averaged 14.2 tackles per game in 2023, which led the nation. He ranked No. 2 in the country with 170 total tackles in 12 games and added four sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. Henderson also tied for No. 4 in the country with 19.5 tackles for loss.
South Carolina 2024 football schedule
Bolded games indicate those with start times that are set. Kickoff times for games with early, noon, night or flex designations will be determined during the season
Aug. 31 – vs. Old Dominion – 4:15 pm, SEC Network
Sept. 7 – at Kentucky – 3:30 p.m., ABC
Sept. 14 – vs. LSU – Noon, ABC
Sept. 21 – vs. Akron – Night (6 to 8 p.m., TBD)
Oct. 5 – vs. Ole Miss – Flex (afternoon or night kick, TBD)
Oct. 12 – at Alabama – Noon, ABC or ESPN
Oct. 19 – at Oklahoma – Early (noon to 1 p.m., TBD)
Nov. 2 – vs. Texas A&M – Night (6 to 8 p.m., TBD)
Nov. 9 – at Vanderbilt – Afternoon (3:30 to 4:30 p.m., TBD)
Nov. 16 – vs. Missouri – Afternoon (3:30 to 4:30 p.m., TBD)
Nov. 23 – vs. Wofford – 4 p.m., SEC Network Plus
Nov. 30 – at Clemson – TBD
