South Carolina vs. Furman Game Preview & Prediction
09/09/2023Date: Saturday, September 9
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Willilams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
How To Watch: ESPN+
2023 Record: South Carolina (0-1), Furman (1-0)
Furman Side
Furman isn’t playing around. It’s a ten-win team from last year that came out hot in a 45-10 win over Tennessee Tech, showing off an almost perfect offensive balance helped by six takeaways thanks to an aggressive defense that kept the pass rush going.
The passing attack didn’t take any chances - it didn’t need to - the rushing attack averaged five yards per pop, and now it gets to crank up the intensity against a South Carolina team that did the seemingly impossible. It made the North Carolina defense look good. The South Carolina offensive line was a total disaster in the 31-17 loss to the Tar Heels, but …
South Carolina Side
Spencer Rattler and the passing game weren’t bad. The ground attack was a total disaster, the line allowed nine sacks, the whole thing stalled in the second half. However, Rattler threw for 353 yards and was accurate enough to get a better outcome.He’ll get a few touchdown passes early on - Tennessee Tech was okay through the air, there were just four picks - Xavier Legette was fantastic with 178 yards on nine catches, and here comes the running attack. The Gamecock front five will be challenged to prove it can run, but …
Prediction South Carolina vs. Furman
Again, Furman is dangerous. The defense is good enough to keep the South Carolina rushing woes going, and the offense will capitalize on every opportunity, but the yards won’t be there and too many drives will stall. The Paladins don’t have Drake Maye, the group game will struggle, and the Gamecock defensive front will show up. But this won’t be quite as easy as everyone in Williams-Brice might like.Outcome
South Carolina 38, Furman 10
