FACTS & STATS: Site: Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250) -- Columbia, South Carolina. Television: ESPN. Home Record: NC State 0-0, South Carolina 0-0. Away Record: NC State 0-0, South Carolina 0-0. Neutral Record: NC State 0-0, South Carolina 0-0. Conference Record: NC State 0-0, South Carolina 0-0. Series Record: NC State leads, 26-25-4.

GAME NOTES: The fourth season under coach Steve Spurrier will begin Thursday night for the Gamecocks, as South Carolina will battle the NC State Wolfpack at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Wolfpack are coming off their second consecutive losing season, as the team posted a mere 5-7 ledger in 2007. The Pack stumbled out of the gates last season, losing four of their first five games, with the lone win coming against Wofford by a 38-17 margin. NC State fought back however, winning four straight matchups to even its record at 5-5, but unfortunately the squad dropped its last two games by a combined score of 75-18. As for the Gamecocks, their 2007 campaign got off to a roaring start, as Spurrier's bunch won six of their first seven games, with victories coming over Georgia (16-12) and Kentucky (38-23). Unfortunately the season took a nose dive, as the squad dropped its last five games, including heartbreaking losses to Tennessee (27-24 OT) and Clemson (23-21). With respect to the all-time series between the two schools, the Wolfpack hold a slim 26-25-4 edge over South Carolina, and that includes a current four-game winning streak.

The Wolfpack have struggled offensively over the past few seasons, and there is a strong possibility that the team could have trouble in 2008. Coach Tom O'Brien has decided redshirt freshman Russell Wilson will lead the Pack in the opener against South Carolina. Wilson will be just the third NC State freshman to start in his first-ever college contest since 1971. Wilson will have some young targets at his disposal, as the signal-caller will likely look to get the ball to Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams. Both Spencer and Williams are dangerous sophomores with down the field speed, but they are also very inexperienced and could take time to come together as a unit. The biggest concern for coach O'Brien will be the ground game which was atrocious last year, averaging just 89.0 ypg. Fortunately the top two tailbacks from a year ago will have a chance to redeem themselves, as Jamelle Eugene and Andre Brown should get the bulk of the carries in the opener against South Carolina.

Defensively the Wolfpack were bad last season, allowing 28.3 ppg, and with a very inexperienced unit for the new campaign NC State could continue to struggle. The front line was abused for 186.0 ypg on the ground last season, and that is the main area of concern for this year's squad. Willie Young will be the anchor once again, as the defensive end led the Wolfpack with six sacks a year ago. It also does not help that all three linebackers will be inexperienced as well. Ray Michel and Nate Irving played sparingly last year, and Robbie Leonard did not see the field in 2007. The cornerbacks return to the fold, as DeAndre Morgan and Jeremy Gray will look to build off their 2007 campaign. Unfortunately the safety position could be a major problem as the team enters its first game. J.C. Neal has some experience, but freshman Justin Byers will have to learn on the fly.

Coach Spurrier was an offensive wizard while at Florida, but since taking over in Columbia, it has been harder for the coach to field a dominating offensive unit. Tommy Beecher will be under center Thursday for the Gamecocks, as the junior will be making his first start for South Carolina. Beecher might be inexperienced, but the signal-caller will have the luxury of throwing the ball to one of the top receivers in the SEC in Kenny McKinley. McKiney is a dangerous WR that can stretch the field. The senior had 77 receptions last season and is 17 catches away from breaking South Carolina's school record. The ground game struggled a year ago, averaging just 3.6 ypc, but the Gamecocks will have four starting lineman back, making the rushing attack much improved for 2008. With a veteran front line, tailback Mike Davis should have plenty of holes to run through this year. Davis rushed for 518 yards as a backup last year, but could have a strong campaign, beginning with this matchup against NC State.

The biggest problem for the Gamecocks' defensive unit last season was its inability to stop the run, as teams pounded South Carolina's front line for over 200.0 ypg. With that said, the defense should be much improved in 2008, thanks to the return of 10 starters, including three defensive linemen. The motor that keeps this defense moving is linebacker Eric Norwood. The junior led the team last year with six sacks and 13.5 TFLs. He is one of the top LBs in the SEC and will likely make his presence known early against the Wolfpack. The defensive backfield should also have much more success this season. The team returns four starters, including strong safety Emanuel Cook. Cook is a dominating, hard-hitting junior who led South Carolina with 92 tackles last year.

The Gamecocks were well on their way to a bowl game last season, but that was before the wheels feel off the wagon. Coach Spurrier will have his team much more focused throughout this season, and look for the Gamecocks to make a statement in the opener.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: South Carolina 27, N. C. State 10