GAINESVILLE, Fla. — South Carolina is trying to do something on Saturday — well, a couple of things — that it's never done before. It hasn't won here in the Swamp, ever, in 12 tries. Also, it hasn't appeared in the SEC title game.
Here are five things South Carolina will almost certainly have to do to beat Florida.
Here are five things South Carolina will almost certainly have to do to beat Florida.
Run
South Carolina, it would seem, has to run the ball tonight. Byrnes product Marcus Lattimore needs to help the Gamecocks control the game physically and control the clock.
The freshman, still second in the league in rushing (first among running backs), admitted he wasn't himself last week after suffering a knee bruise.
Contrary to prevailing reports wafting around Friday, Lattimore is healthy and a full-go for the game.
The Gamecocks' dream is Lattimore's Georgia effort and the line's Alabama performance. Florida's defensive front isn't what it was a year ago; the secondary is this team's strength. It's possible that Lattimore can get loose, but it's no guarantee. His success will dictate the nature of the game more than any other factor.
Stop run
Like the Gamecocks need to run, they also need to stop the run. This week's challenge is more akin to the Auburn defensive gameplan, and not necessarily Alabama or Arkansas.
Florida has run for 434 yards, combined, the past two weeks. In the Gamecocks' six wins, they've allowed an average of 69 yards on the ground.
It's a bit of a mystery each week to see how Urban Meyer is going to arrange the offense for productivity. Jordan Reed's arm got a lengthy look last week, but Meyer has said Reed's future is tight end. That doesn't mean he will not be running tonight.
Trey Burton is the “quarterback” that should scare the Gamecocks the most. At 6-2 and 222 pounds, he's not that much smaller than Cam Newton, but he uses speed over strength. He's every bit the weapon that Kentucky's Randall Cobb is, and that's a pretty high compliment.
Don't make it easy, part I
It's been seven years — seven! — since South Carolina returned a punt or a kick for a touchdown. That's believed to be the longest drought in the country of that kind.
Meanwhile, Florida has received regular contributions from its special teams in Meyer's stead.
With that in mind, perhaps it's too much to ask for the Gamecocks to get something from their return game (although Bryce Sherman nearly broke loose on a kickoff last week).
Maybe the correct thing to say, in assessment of special teams, is imploring the Gamecocks to keep the Gators from doing something noteworthy on returns. Don't let the often-lost Florida offense get help from its special teams.
Don't make it easy, part II
Florida has scored six touchdowns via special teams and its defense. Early in the season, when the offense was really bogging down, defensive scores largely helped. Stephen Garcia and South Carolina's offense — as seen in the 2008 game — can ill afford to have turnovers that result in scores or lead to them.
It lost the Auburn game because of them. The final offensive play for USC in the Auburn and Kentucky losses were rally-killing interceptions in the end zone.
Turnovers, obviously, can help the home crowd get into it, also. Again, make Florida's offense drive 70, 80 yards or more. Don't help the Gators. (This means you, Garcia.)
First things first
Both Florida and South Carolina's offenses have shown they're willing to go turtle, withdrawing into shells. With a bad series or two, and especially a turnover, it's possible to completely rattle the other offense.
That's why the first quarter is so important. Florida has really struggled early in just about every game it's played. UF has 21 first-quarter points all season (USC has 77). Good news for the Gators there is their opponents only have 29 — and Florida has bounced back to score 114 second-quarter points.
Particularly in the home loss against Mississippi State, the Gators flat-lined early and never got a charge, scoring just seven points in their last home game. Another so-so start could take the fans out of it.
A victory Saturday night (7:15, ESPN) against the 24th-ranked Gators (6-3, 4-3 SEC), and the No. 22 Gamecocks (6-3, 4-3) will be in the Promised Land that is the Georgia Dome.
