Once thought of as the No. 1 overall pick heading into the 2021-22 season with the Oklahoma Sooners, South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler plays a significant factor in our prediction for South Carolina vs. Arkansas.
These teams are 1-0, with Arkansas coming off an excellent cover against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Which of these two SEC teams will come out on top?
South Carolina vs Arkansas Predictions & Week 2 Picks
South Carolina vs Arkansas Betting Odds
| South Carolina Spread | +8.5 (-110) |
| Arkansas Spread | -8.5 (-110) |
| Over/Under | 53 |
| Location | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR |
| Time | 12:00 PM EST |
| TV | ESPN |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Spencer Rattler Rebounds In Second Game With South Carolina?
The Gamecocks may have won against Georgia State, but Rattler still put out more concerning tape. Attempting 37 passes, Rattler completed just 62.2% of his passes for 236 yards for one touchdown and two interceptions.
In terms of passing the ball, Rattler spread it out fairly evenly, with two receivers and one tight end having at least four catches.
Defensively, the Gamecocks could only generate 16 total pressures, with linebacker Jordan Strachan leading the way with three. However, no sacks were made.
Against the Razorbacks, Rattler will need to rise to the occasion and continue to get the ball in the hands of tight end Jaheim Bell and wide receiver Jalen Brooks and hope running back MarShawn Lloyd has more success than his 11 carries for 30 yards against Georgia State.
Arkansas Dropping to 1-1 In An Upset?
To answer the question above, this doesn’t seem likely.
The Razorbacks are 8.5-point favorites, and rightfully so.
Against the Bearcats, quarterback K.J. Jefferson played quite well, completing 18 26 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns. He added 15 carries on the ground for 84 yards and a score.
Jefferson said he worked on his passing in the offseason, and it seemed to show up somewhat in Week 1.
Heading into Week 2, at home against South Carolina, he gets a defense in which one of the starting cornerbacks allowed a passing touchdown against Georgia State. The Razorbacks ran the ball well outside of Jefferson, too, with running back Raheim Sanders posting 20 carries for 117 yards.
Defensively, the Razorbacks generated 16 pressures like South Carolina against Georgia State but could convert four into sacks. None of the starting players allowed a touchdown.
South Carolina vs Arkansas Prediction
Part of me wants to believe in a Rattler rebound, but that seems like preseason 2021 thinking. At 8.5, with a quarterback like Rattler with so many tools, this seems like a slam dunk. Still, Week 1 only showed how consistent the Razorbacks could be on both sides of the ball, especially with an improved Jefferson.
The Gamecocks’ defense is far from elite, so he should be able to pass and run similarly.
That said, the differences in defense comparing Cincinnati to South Carolina aren’t that different, and Rattler should be able to keep this relatively close.
We’ll swing for the fences here — Razorbacks win, but the final score is 30-23.
Best NCAAF Bet: South Carolina +8.5 (-110)
