Vanderbilt football opens SEC play with a trip to South Carolina on Sept. 13 at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Commodores (2-0) clobbered Virginia Tech in the second half last week en route to victory.

South Carolina (2-0) pulled away from Virginia Tech in the second half with a couple big plays in the opener, then handled SC State last week.

Here’s how the Tennessean’s experts pick Vandy-South Carolina:

Vanderbilt-South Carolina picks: Commodores get a top-25 win on the road?

Aria Gerson, Vanderbilt beat reporter: South Carolina 34, Vanderbilt 31

Vanderbilt believes that it is capable of doing what the Gamecocks did a year ago and vaulting into College Football Playoff contention. It could be home-field advantage that makes the difference.

Gentry Estes, columnist: South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 20

It’s tempting to think about Vandy pulling this off after its impressive win at Va Tech, but the Gamecocks are a different challenge. They handled Diego Pavia and company as easily as anyone last season, and this year’s SC team is supposed to be better. Plus, the home-field advantage in Columbia is real when the locals are up for a game.

Tom Kreager, sports director: South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 17

LaNorris Sellers wins the QB battle vs. Diego Pavia as we get a glimpse of how special this Shane Beamer team is this season. In the process, this is a huge hit to Pavia’s championship season prediction.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football vs South Carolina picks: Diego Pavia outduels LaNorris Sellers?