Whether it's injuries, bad defense or offensive inefficiency, I don't trust South Carolina especially in a big favorite's role. The Gamecocks are likely to start slow with a new quarterback and an offensive line with much to prove following a 5-7 record last season.

Yes, there's a class difference with South Carolina being an SEC team and Old Dominion coming from the Sun Belt Conference. Old Dominion, though, is well-coached behind Rickey Rahne, has been to a bowl game in two of the last three years, has a decent QB in dual-threat Grant Wilson and one of the top middle linebackers in the country, Jason Henderson.

The Monarchs know how to keep games close, too, as 11 of their final 12 games were one-scoring contests. Six of the games were decided on the final play. Old Dominion isn't fancy. What the Monarchs are is a solid, competitive team.

South Carolina ranked 128th rushing and were 90th in total defense last year. The Gamecocks are hoping LaNorris Sellers can replace Spencer Rattler, who was one of the most talented passers in college football last year and is now the New Orleans Saints' backup quarterback. Sellers is athletic, but it remains to be seen how accurate of a passer he is.