It’s football season…so let’s make some money.  Before we preview the South Carolina/NC State game, FiveStarPick.com would like to thank and welcome all of our new and returning members for what we think will be an outstanding football betting season.  We look forward to providing you with the best sports betting advice available anywhere.  Now…on with the show.

The Gamecocks started 2008 with Tommy Beecher under center and Beecher was intercepted by N.C. State less than three minutes into the season opener.   The writing was on the wall for Spurrier about his quarterback problems with the Gamecocks.  Carolina ended the season in much the same way as Stephen Garcia threw four picks in a 31-10 loss to Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

Spurrier might have had a tough decision on his hands if a QB with any experience was returning along with Garcia.  But Chris Smelley transferred and Beecher graduated, so the reigns have been handed over to Mr. Garcia.

With just five returning starters on offense and having to find a new ground game, it looks like Spurrier will again be leaning on his defense to carry the team.  The good news is that LB Eric Norwood is back after passing up the NFL draft.  The senior seems to have been in Columbia forever and considering he had nine sacks last year and was second on the team in tackles, Spurrier is thankful to have him back.

The bad news is the rest of the defense is green, including two corners who have never played a college game.  Making matters worse is that suspensions will keep three defensive starters from playing against North Carolina State.  DE Clifton Geathers (resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness), tackle Ladi Ajiboye (marijuana arrest), and CB C.C. Whitlock (arrested for trespassing at a nightclub) are all out.  Model citizens all. 

This is certainly a different Wolfpack squad than a year ago.  Coach Tom O’Brien has found his QB in sophomore Russell Wilson. The ACC Freshman of the Year in 2008, Wilson led an offense that got better every game and ended the year on a roll, averaging 34 points in their last three games.

N.C. State returns six starters on defense, but they too have their share of issues on that side of the ball. O’Brien was dealt a big blow this summer when LB Nate Irving was injured in a season ending car accident.

The difference here seems to be that Wilson and the Wolfpack appear better equipped to exploit those defensive issues than does the Gamecocks offense.  Running back Toney Baker is back after sitting out two seasons due to knee surgeries and should form a nice 1-2 punch with Jamelle Eugene.

So who covers the spread tonight at Carter-Finley Stadium?  It is very easy to find out.  Try FiveStarPick.com for a month ($99.99) and see if our talent for picking college and pro football winners exceeds your expectations.  We are the only sports handicapping service in the business who documents wins and losses and displays them on our homepage for all to witness.  It’s because we win.  Join our family today and start your win streak.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

Now that we got your attention, do not miss out on tonight’s FiveStar winner between the Florida State Seminoles and the NC State Wolfpack.   Las Vegas sportsbooks have the Seminoles as 10 point favorites against the Wolfpack with the total set at 48.

Last season, the Seminoles whipped up on N.C. State at home 27-10, reversing FSU’s trend of getting manhandled by the Wolfpack in four of their last six meetings.  Florida St. comes into this game still high from a 41-39 win against Miami in a mud bowl.  The Seminoles are hopeful that things are now turning around with the addition of QB Christian Ponder and RB Antone Smith.

N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien is hoping LB Nate Irving will be able to play tonight.  Irving is one of the ACC’s top defensive players, but has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.  Irving is a game-time decision.

But defense is half the battle for the Wolfpack.  To have a chance tonight, the offense will have to make plays.  And big plays.  Running Backs, Jamelle Eugene and Andre Brown will shoulder much of the load and freshman QB Russell Wilson will have to avoid the “deer in headlights” look when he sees the speed of FSU’s defense.

The Seminoles are 2-1 against the spread to date.  The Wolfpack are 3-2 against the spread.

So who covers the spread in today’s game?  Why not let FiveStarPick.com help you with the answer?  Aren’t you tired of getting cold called by services that tell you about their 750,000 star play that’s a guaranteed winner. Here is a bit of advice…NOTHING is guaranteed when you are betting on sports.  These so called “handicappers” call 500 people on a Saturday morning and give them all a free play; 250 people will get FSU -10 and 250 will get NC State +10.  After the game ends, they call back the 250 people who won and pitch them on charging thousands of dollars on their credit cards for more guaranteed winners.  We are not your typical sports handicapping service.  We care about our members and we live and die on every play. Why?  Because we are moving thousands of dollars of our own money on the same plays we give you. Gambling on sports is how we make our living.  Do we win every play?  Absolutely not and we will never pretend to.  Our plays are always posted for all to see, including our losing streaks. But by the end of the year we always seem to have a few hundred thousand dollars of the sportsbook’s money in our casino account.  Let us try and do the same for you.  Join our family of winners today and start your winning streak tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com