BELK BOWL -- Down the stretch we saw the Virginia Cavaliers fade. They lost three of four in a tough ACC conference, and it appeared quarterback Bryce Perkins wore down a bit. The Cavaliers offensive system puts too much of a burden on Perkins which is a heavy factor in the original point spread. Although South Carolina’s schedule doesn’t match Virginia they’re the right side. Grab South Carolina.

BELK BOWL -- Expect this to be a high scoring game as South Carolina's offense showed some serious continuity later in the season while Virginia's defense had a tough time stopping anyone. South Carolina went Over the total in four of their last five while Virginia was Over in their last three. Both offenses combined to average 60 ppg on the season and in their last three games, it was boosted up to 71 ppg. Over is the top play.

BELK BOWL -- This is a play that almost seems a little too obvious to me. Virginia is a team with an offense that moves at one of the most deliberate paces in the country. I mean, they churn clock like an option team. South Carolina will be playing in this game without its most effective offensive weapon in WR Deebo Samuel. Points will be difficult to come by for both sides.

BELK BOWL -- An underrated bowl matchup here between South Carolina and Virginia will showcase two of the more athletic defenses in college football. Both squads share the same offensive philosophy of spreading you out to run the ball. The Cavaliers have a difference-maker at QB in Bryce Perkins, and to me, that'll be the difference in this one.

BELK BOWL -- These clubs have identical records, but the Cavaliers appeared to peak early, while the Gamecocks came on strong down the stretch. Virginia dropped three of its last four while South Carolina won four of its final six. The difference should be a South Carolina offense that averaged 440 yards and nearly 33 points per game in its seven victories and proved it could move the ball against any opposing defense. The firepower edge should give the Gamecocks the cover.

BELK BOWL -- A sizable talent gap between these combatants has narrowed considerably. Productive South Carolina WR Deebo Samuels sits out to prep for the NFL draft. Two stalwart teammates, DT Javon Kinlaw and CB Keisean Nixon, bypass the Belk Bowl with injuries. The Gamecocks went through the gauntlet of a rigorous schedule, and coach Will Muschamp has won straight-up twice at Carolina in bowl season. But the defections even things out some, even against the unintimidating Cavaliers.