East Carolina @ South Carolina preview

THE STORY: No. 12 South Carolina won the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division title a year ago, but this season could yield even more success. The Gamecocks have their sights set on going a step further as they open against East Carolina. With its offensive nucleus back, South Carolina may have the talent to battle for a national championship. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 10-5.

TV: FS Carolinas. LINE: South Carolina -20.5.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (6-7 in 2010): The Pirates begin coach Ruffin McNeill's second season with high hopes. They return five starters from an offense that helped them score 62 touchdowns and 478 points - both school records - including QB Dominique Davis and WRs Andrew Bodenheimer, Michael Bowman and Lance Lewis. Davis set school records with 3,967 passing yards and 37 touchdown passes a year ago, and earned Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors. East Carolina has six starters back on defense, including senior DB Bradley Jacobs, who had 80 tackles and four interceptions in 2010.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (9-5 in 2010): The Gamecocks are coming off one of the best seasons in school history after winning the SEC East title, and they begin the season with a No. 12 ranking and even higher expectations. They return most of their offensive stars, including QB Stephen Garcia, RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery. Lattimore (1,197 rushing yards, 17 TDs in 2010) and Jeffery (1,517 receiving yards, nine TDs in 2010) are widely considered Heisman Trophy candidates. They also have one of the top defensive end duos in the nation with junior Devin Taylor and highly touted freshman Jadeveon Clowney.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Heading into his seventh season with the Gamecocks, coach Steve Spurrier ranks third on the school's all-time wins list with 44. He is one behind Jim Carlen and 20 behind Rex Enright.

2. Spurrier is 41-0 all-time against schools outside BCS automatic qualifier conferences, including 15-0 since taking over at South Carolina.

3. The Pirates have played in bowl games in five consecutive years for the first time in school history, but they have won only one of the five - 41-38 over Boise State in the 2007 Hawaii Bowl. They lost 51-20 to Maryland in the Military Bowl last season.

PREDICTION: South Carolina 42, East Carolina 20 - The Pirates will put up big offensive numbers again this year, but they'll do it against weaker defenses than the unit they'll see Saturday, and they can't keep up with Spurrier's juggernaut.