It’s South Carolina and NC State on national television. The ESPN college football point spreads has North Carolina State -5. Sportsbooks have the total at 46.

Here is the handicapping preview for winning compiled by the best professional handicappers.

The USC Gamecocks have a recent history of getting out of the gate much quicker. When the teams met last year to open the season, NC State got shutout 10-0.

South Carolina has won nine straight openers and head coach Steve Spurrier is 18-1 straight up in season-opening games.

The old ball coach claims he will stick with one quarterback tonight: sophomore Stephen Garcia.

Two starters on USC’s front four are suspended: Clifton Geathers and Ladi Ajiboye. NC State also has a strong defensive front, but is very young at LB and defensive backs.

The Wofpack lost one of their best linebackers in June, when Nate Irving suffered serious injuries in a car accident.

Couch potatoes will want to note that it’s Erin Andrews returning to the sidelines for the first time since she was secretly videotaped nude in a hotel room.

The four starters in NC State’s secondary have a combined 14 starts. DeAndre Morgan is out with an ankle injury. He would be the most experienced if healthy.

Against the spread records: The Wolfpack are 7-0 on grass, but 7-19 their last 26 as a favorite.

Top expert pick on this game: The Duke, Jonathan Mardukas built up a large scorephone following over the last dozen or so years.  With a database that goes back to 1980 the MasterLockLine say he is the top ranked college and pro football handicapper EVER. It’s his biggest opening night release ever in collegiate football, a 1 Billion Star release on the South Carolina/NC State side and it’s among many top service picks on the MasterLockLine. Click now to purchase at OffshoreInsiders.com.

Important betting information: Today’s free football pick, college football tipsheet, and the NFL betting notes for tonight are up.