What: No. 9 South Carolina (6-1, 4-1 SEC) at No. 3 Florida (6-0, 5-0)
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548), Gainesville, Fla.
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
TV/Radio: CBS (Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson); Gamecock Radio Network, 107.5 FM in Columbia (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Langston Moore); Gamecock Replay (Andy Demetra, Brad Muller)
Another Top-10 marquee matchup for South Carolina? This time, nothing less than the SEC East title will be on the line at The Swamp. The Gamecocks passed the test with flying colors two years ago, but at the moment, questions persist about USC's ability to overcome a hostile environment and at multiple positions, including quarterback, running back, offensive line and defensive tackle. Will the Gamecocks make it three wins in a row over the Gators?
USC OFFENSE vs. FLORIDA DEFENSE:
Shock waves reverberated through the college football world when Steve Spurrier revealed on Wednesday that Marcus Lattimore's bruised hip may prevent him from playing against the Gators. Twenty-four hours later, Spurrier said the availability of Lattimore, arguably the top running back in college football, would be a game-time decision after he went through warm-ups.
Lattimore, of course, enjoyed one of the best games of his career two years ago at The Swamp when he gashed the Gators for 212 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries, still a career-high. Will he miss out on facing the Gators for the second year in a row?
Either way, Lattimore (584 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 129 carries) will be relegated to a reserve role because he didn't practice until Thursday, and then only lightly in order to protect his ailing hip.
Fifth-year senior Kenny Miles, the consummate team player, will get the starting nod with freshman Mike Davis ready to contribute as well. Miles and Davis have combined for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries in 2012. Davis is averaging an impressive 9 yards per carry in limited playing time.
Quarterback Connor Shaw (69.4 completion percentage) looks to bounce back from one of the worst games of his career at LSU (19-of-34 for 177 yards and two interceptions), also from a mental standpoint when he inexplicably made poor decisions and, according to Spurrier, ran out of the pocket too quickly rather than throwing the ball downfield as the play was designed.
As long as Shaw returns to form, he could give the Florida defense trouble just like he did last season, when he rushed for a then-career high 88 yards and two touchdowns and completed 6-of-12 passes for 81 yards to direct the Gamecocks to a 17-12 win in Columbia.
Of course, all intentions by Shaw to rebound from just his second career loss will go for naught unless the offensive line is stronger and shows more fight in the wake of being physically dominated by LSU last week. Center T.J. Johnson was among the group of players slowed by the flu bug earlier this week, but should be ready to go by Saturday. He is set to establish a school record for most career starts (48), eclipsing the former record belonging to Cliff Matthews.
The Florida defense has been among the best in the SEC all season, ranking in the top four (just like USC) in scoring defense (12.3 points per game), total defense (297.2 yards per game) and rushing defense (107.5 ypg). The Gators have allowed nine touchdowns (three rushing, six passing) in six games, third-fewest in the SEC behind Alabama (six) and USC (eight).
The strength of the Florida defense is up the middle with defensive tackles Sharrif Floyd (22 tackles) and Omar Hunter (23 tackles), middle linebacker Jonathan Bostic (team-high six tackles for loss) and safeties Matt Elam (33 tackles) and Josh Evans (a team-high 37 tackles).
In addition, outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins combines a rare blend of speed and power. Bostic and Jenkins provide solid, veteran leadership for the linebacker corps and have both started 25 games in their careers.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: QB Connor Shaw, RB Marcus Lattimore, RB Kenny Miles, WR Ace Sanders, WR Bruce Ellington, TE Justice Cunningham, LT Corey Robinson, C T.J. Johnson
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: DE Dominique Easley, DT Sharrif Floyd, DT Omar Hunter, LB Jonathan Bostic, LB Jelani Jenkins, SS Matt Elam, FS Josh Evans
KEY MATCHUPS
1. USC running back Kenny Miles vs. Florida LB Jonathan Bostic
2. USC receivers Ace Sanders and Damiere Byrd vs. Florida cornerbacks Jaylen Watkins and Marcus Roberson
3. USC center T.J. Johnson and guards A.J. Cann and Ronald Patrick vs. Florida defensive tackles Sharrif Floyd and Omar Hunter
COACH'S COMMENT: "We say we've got three in a row. This is the third one, and hopefully four in a row of sell-out crowds, loud stadiums, full as it can be. Hopefully the next one will be the same way also. Look forward to going down to The Swamp and playing the Gators and seeing what happens. They're having an excellent year. They're ranked number two or three in the country in a couple of polls. They've really played well. They're playing what you call winning football." - Steve Spurrier
FLORIDA OFFENSE vs. USC DEFENSE:
Will Muschamp has transformed Florida from the spread-option scheme preferred by former coach Urban Meyer to a power running attack spearheaded by once overlooked running back Mike Gillislee (615 yards on 120 carries), the second-leading rusher in the SEC, and quarterback Jeff Driskel.
Florida is second in the SEC in rushing offense, yet dead last in passing (145 ypg) and ninth in total offense (378.3 ypg). Consistency in running the football has been the Gators' bread-and-butter all season.
How much difference does a year make? Florida averaged 143 rushing yards per game in 2011 en route to a disappointing 7-6 record. This year, it's shredding opposing defenses to the tune of 233.3 yards per game on the ground, an increase of 90.3 rushing yards on a weekly basis.
Last weekend, the Gators found a different way to win as Driskel rushed for 177 yards, the most in school history by a Florida quarterback, and scored three touchdowns in a 31-17 victory at Vanderbilt. Florida did most of its damage on the ground, finishing with 326 rushing yards and 403 total yards. Better than 80 percent of Florida's yardage came on the ground.
Florida has rushed for 908 yards (151.3 ypg) in the second half of games this season, the 14th-best total in the nation and second-best in the SEC.
The battle in the trenches between Florida's highly productive ground game and USC's run defense will be strength vs. strength as the Gamecocks are fourth in the SEC in stopping the run (108.7 ypg).
When Florida decides to pass the ball, junior tight end Jordan Reed leads Florida with 21 receptions for 237 yards, ranking him 16th nationally among tight ends and first in the SEC. The most productive wide receiver is Quinton Dunbar, with 13 catches for 145 yards.
Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said on Thursday that he expects Florida will physically challenge the Gamecocks with smash-mouth football for 60 minutes and hopes to wear down USC, much like LSU did last week.
So, it's a bad time for USC to be experiencing problems with its defensive front, but that's the situation with Kelcy Quarles out with a shoulder injury (and disciplinary action for throwing a punch at a LSU player) and Byron Jerideau and J.T. Surratt slowed by ankle injuries.
The redshirt freshman duo of Phillip Dukes and Gerald Dixon Jr. could see a lot of action in this game. It will grow up in a hurry.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: QB Jeff Driskel, RB Mike Gillislee, TE Jordan Reed, WR Trey Burton, WR Quinton Dunbar, LT Xavier Nixon
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Devin Taylor, LB Shaq Wilson, LB Reginald Bowens, CB Jimmy Legree, CB Victor Hampton, FS D.J. Swearinger
KEY MATCHUPS
1. Florida running back Mike Gillislee vs. USC linebackers Shaq Wilson and Reginald Bowens
2. Florida tight end Jordan Reed vs. USC spur DeVonte Holloman
3. Florida offensive tackles Xavier Nixon and Chaz Green vs. USC defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor
COACH'S COMMENT: "Their football team is a little similar to ours in running the ball and playing really good defense and winning in the kicking game. Connor Shaw, their quarterback, is just a winner, makes plays with his legs, does a lot of good things for their football team. He can create so much with his legs and he's a tough hard-nose competitive guy, a guy you enjoy competing against because of the way he plays the game." - Muschamp
POSITION COMPARISON
Quarterback - Even
Running back - Edge to Florida (If Lattimore sees limited action)
Wide receiver - Slight edge to USC
Offensive line - Edge to Florida
Tight end - Edge to USC
Defensive line - Even
Linebacker - Edge to Florida
Secondary - Slight edge to Florida
Special teams - Edge to Florida
SYNOPSIS: With only two conference games remaining after this week, USC finds itself in a must-win situation because it doesn't want to fall two games behind the Gators in the SEC East standings. If it does, it's lights-out for the Gamecocks and the winner of the East will likely boil down to the winner of the "Cocktail Party" game between Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville on Oct. 27. Statistically, USC and Florida are very evenly matched in a number of statistical categories, including being dead even in scoring defense (12.3 ppg). The two teams also rank third and fourth in the SEC in rushing defense, third and fourth in total defense, third and fourth in passing defense and ninth and 10th in total offense (identical 378.3 ypg).
PREDICTION: Too many questions surround USC's offense at quarterback (will Shaw stay patient and throw the ball downfield?), running back (how many carries will Lattimore get? Will he play at all? Can USC run the ball on Florida's front seven?), offensive line (which unit will show up?) and receiver (will they get open against the UF secondary?) to say convincingly the Gamecocks will win at The Swamp. When adding in the depleted defensive line into the mix and the fact that USC couldn't stop a power running team last week, it doesn't make for an encouraging situation heading into one of the loudest stadiums in the country.
The Pick: FLORIDA 17, USC 13
link: http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1424581
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548), Gainesville, Fla.
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
TV/Radio: CBS (Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson); Gamecock Radio Network, 107.5 FM in Columbia (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Langston Moore); Gamecock Replay (Andy Demetra, Brad Muller)
Another Top-10 marquee matchup for South Carolina? This time, nothing less than the SEC East title will be on the line at The Swamp. The Gamecocks passed the test with flying colors two years ago, but at the moment, questions persist about USC's ability to overcome a hostile environment and at multiple positions, including quarterback, running back, offensive line and defensive tackle. Will the Gamecocks make it three wins in a row over the Gators?
USC OFFENSE vs. FLORIDA DEFENSE:
Shock waves reverberated through the college football world when Steve Spurrier revealed on Wednesday that Marcus Lattimore's bruised hip may prevent him from playing against the Gators. Twenty-four hours later, Spurrier said the availability of Lattimore, arguably the top running back in college football, would be a game-time decision after he went through warm-ups.
Lattimore, of course, enjoyed one of the best games of his career two years ago at The Swamp when he gashed the Gators for 212 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries, still a career-high. Will he miss out on facing the Gators for the second year in a row?
Either way, Lattimore (584 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 129 carries) will be relegated to a reserve role because he didn't practice until Thursday, and then only lightly in order to protect his ailing hip.
Fifth-year senior Kenny Miles, the consummate team player, will get the starting nod with freshman Mike Davis ready to contribute as well. Miles and Davis have combined for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries in 2012. Davis is averaging an impressive 9 yards per carry in limited playing time.
Quarterback Connor Shaw (69.4 completion percentage) looks to bounce back from one of the worst games of his career at LSU (19-of-34 for 177 yards and two interceptions), also from a mental standpoint when he inexplicably made poor decisions and, according to Spurrier, ran out of the pocket too quickly rather than throwing the ball downfield as the play was designed.
As long as Shaw returns to form, he could give the Florida defense trouble just like he did last season, when he rushed for a then-career high 88 yards and two touchdowns and completed 6-of-12 passes for 81 yards to direct the Gamecocks to a 17-12 win in Columbia.
Of course, all intentions by Shaw to rebound from just his second career loss will go for naught unless the offensive line is stronger and shows more fight in the wake of being physically dominated by LSU last week. Center T.J. Johnson was among the group of players slowed by the flu bug earlier this week, but should be ready to go by Saturday. He is set to establish a school record for most career starts (48), eclipsing the former record belonging to Cliff Matthews.
The Florida defense has been among the best in the SEC all season, ranking in the top four (just like USC) in scoring defense (12.3 points per game), total defense (297.2 yards per game) and rushing defense (107.5 ypg). The Gators have allowed nine touchdowns (three rushing, six passing) in six games, third-fewest in the SEC behind Alabama (six) and USC (eight).
The strength of the Florida defense is up the middle with defensive tackles Sharrif Floyd (22 tackles) and Omar Hunter (23 tackles), middle linebacker Jonathan Bostic (team-high six tackles for loss) and safeties Matt Elam (33 tackles) and Josh Evans (a team-high 37 tackles).
In addition, outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins combines a rare blend of speed and power. Bostic and Jenkins provide solid, veteran leadership for the linebacker corps and have both started 25 games in their careers.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: QB Connor Shaw, RB Marcus Lattimore, RB Kenny Miles, WR Ace Sanders, WR Bruce Ellington, TE Justice Cunningham, LT Corey Robinson, C T.J. Johnson
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: DE Dominique Easley, DT Sharrif Floyd, DT Omar Hunter, LB Jonathan Bostic, LB Jelani Jenkins, SS Matt Elam, FS Josh Evans
KEY MATCHUPS
1. USC running back Kenny Miles vs. Florida LB Jonathan Bostic
2. USC receivers Ace Sanders and Damiere Byrd vs. Florida cornerbacks Jaylen Watkins and Marcus Roberson
3. USC center T.J. Johnson and guards A.J. Cann and Ronald Patrick vs. Florida defensive tackles Sharrif Floyd and Omar Hunter
COACH'S COMMENT: "We say we've got three in a row. This is the third one, and hopefully four in a row of sell-out crowds, loud stadiums, full as it can be. Hopefully the next one will be the same way also. Look forward to going down to The Swamp and playing the Gators and seeing what happens. They're having an excellent year. They're ranked number two or three in the country in a couple of polls. They've really played well. They're playing what you call winning football." - Steve Spurrier
FLORIDA OFFENSE vs. USC DEFENSE:
Will Muschamp has transformed Florida from the spread-option scheme preferred by former coach Urban Meyer to a power running attack spearheaded by once overlooked running back Mike Gillislee (615 yards on 120 carries), the second-leading rusher in the SEC, and quarterback Jeff Driskel.
Florida is second in the SEC in rushing offense, yet dead last in passing (145 ypg) and ninth in total offense (378.3 ypg). Consistency in running the football has been the Gators' bread-and-butter all season.
How much difference does a year make? Florida averaged 143 rushing yards per game in 2011 en route to a disappointing 7-6 record. This year, it's shredding opposing defenses to the tune of 233.3 yards per game on the ground, an increase of 90.3 rushing yards on a weekly basis.
Last weekend, the Gators found a different way to win as Driskel rushed for 177 yards, the most in school history by a Florida quarterback, and scored three touchdowns in a 31-17 victory at Vanderbilt. Florida did most of its damage on the ground, finishing with 326 rushing yards and 403 total yards. Better than 80 percent of Florida's yardage came on the ground.
Florida has rushed for 908 yards (151.3 ypg) in the second half of games this season, the 14th-best total in the nation and second-best in the SEC.
The battle in the trenches between Florida's highly productive ground game and USC's run defense will be strength vs. strength as the Gamecocks are fourth in the SEC in stopping the run (108.7 ypg).
When Florida decides to pass the ball, junior tight end Jordan Reed leads Florida with 21 receptions for 237 yards, ranking him 16th nationally among tight ends and first in the SEC. The most productive wide receiver is Quinton Dunbar, with 13 catches for 145 yards.
Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said on Thursday that he expects Florida will physically challenge the Gamecocks with smash-mouth football for 60 minutes and hopes to wear down USC, much like LSU did last week.
So, it's a bad time for USC to be experiencing problems with its defensive front, but that's the situation with Kelcy Quarles out with a shoulder injury (and disciplinary action for throwing a punch at a LSU player) and Byron Jerideau and J.T. Surratt slowed by ankle injuries.
The redshirt freshman duo of Phillip Dukes and Gerald Dixon Jr. could see a lot of action in this game. It will grow up in a hurry.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: QB Jeff Driskel, RB Mike Gillislee, TE Jordan Reed, WR Trey Burton, WR Quinton Dunbar, LT Xavier Nixon
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Devin Taylor, LB Shaq Wilson, LB Reginald Bowens, CB Jimmy Legree, CB Victor Hampton, FS D.J. Swearinger
KEY MATCHUPS
1. Florida running back Mike Gillislee vs. USC linebackers Shaq Wilson and Reginald Bowens
2. Florida tight end Jordan Reed vs. USC spur DeVonte Holloman
3. Florida offensive tackles Xavier Nixon and Chaz Green vs. USC defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor
COACH'S COMMENT: "Their football team is a little similar to ours in running the ball and playing really good defense and winning in the kicking game. Connor Shaw, their quarterback, is just a winner, makes plays with his legs, does a lot of good things for their football team. He can create so much with his legs and he's a tough hard-nose competitive guy, a guy you enjoy competing against because of the way he plays the game." - Muschamp
POSITION COMPARISON
Quarterback - Even
Running back - Edge to Florida (If Lattimore sees limited action)
Wide receiver - Slight edge to USC
Offensive line - Edge to Florida
Tight end - Edge to USC
Defensive line - Even
Linebacker - Edge to Florida
Secondary - Slight edge to Florida
Special teams - Edge to Florida
SYNOPSIS: With only two conference games remaining after this week, USC finds itself in a must-win situation because it doesn't want to fall two games behind the Gators in the SEC East standings. If it does, it's lights-out for the Gamecocks and the winner of the East will likely boil down to the winner of the "Cocktail Party" game between Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville on Oct. 27. Statistically, USC and Florida are very evenly matched in a number of statistical categories, including being dead even in scoring defense (12.3 ppg). The two teams also rank third and fourth in the SEC in rushing defense, third and fourth in total defense, third and fourth in passing defense and ninth and 10th in total offense (identical 378.3 ypg).
PREDICTION: Too many questions surround USC's offense at quarterback (will Shaw stay patient and throw the ball downfield?), running back (how many carries will Lattimore get? Will he play at all? Can USC run the ball on Florida's front seven?), offensive line (which unit will show up?) and receiver (will they get open against the UF secondary?) to say convincingly the Gamecocks will win at The Swamp. When adding in the depleted defensive line into the mix and the fact that USC couldn't stop a power running team last week, it doesn't make for an encouraging situation heading into one of the loudest stadiums in the country.
The Pick: FLORIDA 17, USC 13
link: http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1424581
