NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Going into their second season together, James Franklin says his Vanderbilt Commodores are so confident they feel they could beat the NFL's Green Bay Packers with a home-field advantage.

Well, the Packers aren't coming to help his Commodores open the season Thursday night. The ninth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks are, and Franklin and his Commodores are ready for the challenge, expecting to finish with a win.

The coach says ``belief is a very powerful thing, and we have that right now.''

South Carolina comes in having won eight straight and nine of its last 10 against SEC East opponents. The Gamecocks also have won 12 consecutive season openers, and they beat Vanderbilt 21-3 last season holding the Commodores to a measly 77 yards of offense.