South Carolina Gamecocks vs Oklahoma Sooners Picks and Predictions October 18th 2025

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Oklahoma Sooners vs South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview

The Oklahoma Sooners will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they face the South Carolina Gamecocks in an SEC showdown on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 PM ET on SECN.

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Both programs are eager to regain momentum. The Sooners (5-1, 1-1 SEC) suffered a setback against Texas, while the Gamecocks (3-3, 1-3 SEC) continue to search for consistency after three losses in their last four games.

Oklahoma Looks to Rebound After Texas Loss

Oklahoma enters Week 8 trying to clean up mistakes after a 23-6 defeat to Texas. Quarterback John Mateer, who returned from thumb surgery just over two weeks prior, threw three interceptions and struggled to find rhythm against the Longhorns’ secondary.

Mateer was candid about his performance, noting that decision-making was his biggest area for improvement. “Taking another breath and really seeing the field, knowing the situation, not guessing and doing too much,” he said this week.

Despite the rough outing, Oklahoma remains one of the most balanced teams in the SEC. The Sooners rank 36th nationally in passing yards (1,600) and 47th in total points (175). The defense has been a bright spot, ranking third in sacks and second in interceptions.

Key playmakers continue to drive Oklahoma’s offense. Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III leads the team with 420 yards, while running back Tory Blaylock has produced 292 yards and three touchdowns. The Sooners will need more explosive plays from this duo to keep South Carolina’s defense off balance.

Oklahoma’s front seven also gives them an advantage — they rank 10th in the country in rushing defense, allowing only 84.8 yards per game. That strength will be crucial against a South Carolina team that leans heavily on its run game.

Check the latest college football odds and totals to track where bettors are leaning for this matchup.

CFB
2025-10-16 16:30
Open
TULSA
EAST CAROLINA
CFB
2025-10-18 09:00
Open
GEORGIA TECH
DUKE
CFB
2025-10-18 12:30
Open
TEXAS A&M
ARKANSAS

South Carolina Searching for Consistency

After last week’s 20-10 loss to LSU, the Gamecocks made staff adjustments in hopes of sparking improvement. Coach Shane Beamer fired offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley and promoted Shawn Elliott as interim line coach for the rest of the season.

Beamer pointed to discipline issues and repeated penalties as major problems. South Carolina ranks among the most-penalized teams in FBS, averaging over nine infractions per game. In the loss to LSU, six pre-snap penalties — five by offensive linemen — stalled drives repeatedly.

Despite the inconsistency, quarterback LaNorris Sellers has remained steady. He threw for 175 yards and a touchdown in last year’s 35-9 win over Oklahoma, a game where South Carolina forced three turnovers in the first six minutes. Sellers’ ability to manage the game and extend plays will be vital in this rematch.

Defensively, South Carolina has performed better than its record suggests. The Gamecocks rank 11th nationally in sacks and seventh in interceptions. Those takeaways could be a key equalizer against an Oklahoma offense that has struggled with turnovers recently.

For full SEC betting insights and performance metrics, check the college football expert guide.

Line Movement and Odds

According to current college football picks, Oklahoma opened as a 5.5-point favorite, with the total set at 43.5. Early wagers have slightly favored the Sooners, though home-field support and South Carolina’s defensive edge have drawn some action toward the underdog.

Current Odds:

  • Oklahoma -5.5 (-110)
  • South Carolina +5.5 (-110)
  • Total: 43.5 (Over -104 / Under -116)

Oklahoma is 12-1 straight-up as a favorite in its last 13 games, while South Carolina is 5-0 ATS after a loss since 2024.

Matchup Breakdown

Oklahoma Sooners Outlook

The Sooners’ offensive game plan will likely focus on balance and tempo. Mateer must regain confidence and limit turnovers to sustain drives. Oklahoma’s offensive line, which has dealt with injuries to multiple starters, will need to protect better against South Carolina’s blitz-heavy scheme.

On defense, Oklahoma continues to dominate at the line of scrimmage, ranking among the top 10 nationally in both sacks and rush defense. Expect Brent Venables’ defense to pressure Sellers early and try to force mistakes through disguised coverage looks.

South Carolina Gamecocks Outlook

South Carolina’s biggest challenge will be containing Oklahoma’s speed on both sides of the ball. Beamer’s squad will need to rely on the running game, led by Rahsul Faison, and efficient short passing to neutralize Oklahoma’s defensive front.

Defensively, the Gamecocks have thrived on aggression, ranking top 10 nationally in turnovers forced. The key will be discipline — penalties and missed tackles have cost them in close games. If the defense can hold Oklahoma to under 25 points, the Gamecocks could make it a fourth-quarter battle.

Key Edge

The matchup between Oklahoma’s front seven and South Carolina’s offensive line may decide the game. The Sooners’ defense, ranked top-15 in yards allowed, has a significant edge over a Gamecocks offensive front that has allowed pressure on 32% of dropbacks this season.

Betting Trends

  • Oklahoma is 12-1 straight-up as a favorite in its last 13 games.
  • Oklahoma is 3-0 straight-up after a loss since 2024.
  • South Carolina is 5-0 ATS after a loss since 2024.
  • South Carolina is 8-1 ATS in road games over its last nine.
  • The total has gone over in all five of South Carolina’s games following a loss.
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Best Bets and Prediction

Oklahoma has proven it can rebound from losses quickly, and its defense remains elite. South Carolina’s inconsistency on offense makes it difficult to trust against a top-15 opponent. Expect the Sooners to lean on their defense and a cleaner offensive performance to get back on track.

Projected Score: Oklahoma 28, South Carolina 17
Best Bet: Oklahoma -5.5
Secondary Lean: Over 43.5

For more previews, analysis, and live betting tools, visit the ScoresAndStats College Football section.