With just more than two months until the football season opener, we’re taking a look at the Gators’ 2011 opponents. Today, it’s the defending Eastern Division champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
Nov. 12 – at South Carolina
Last meeting: Nov. 13, 2010 – South Carolina 36, Florida 14
Series record & streak: Florida leads 23-5, with South Carolina winning the last one
Starters lost/returning: 6/7 offense; 7/6 defense
Scouting the Gamecocks: Florida’s loss to the Gamecocks last year let Gators fans know just how poor the state of affairs was. Yes, they had lost three in a row in October for the first time since 1988, but UF entered a home game with South Carolina with an Eastern Division title on the line. Steve Spurrier took it, the first ever for the Gamecocks. It wouldn’t be surprising for this game to have the same implications this year.
South Carolina comes in expected to compete for a division title and features two of the best playmakers in the conference in RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery, Plenty depends on the status of redshirt senior QB Stephen Garcia, though. He was suspended this spring for a fifth time at South Carolina. He’s returned to the team with guidelines to follow, and if he plays, he can help the offense be one of the best in the conference. Spurrier has expressed confidence in Connor Shaw. With the caliber of players around the QB, South Carolina should be in a good position on offense whether Garcia stays out of trouble or not.
Defensively, South Carolina adds DE Jadeveon Clowney, the top recruit from the 2011 class and a one-man wrecking crew. He’s expected to make an immediate impact, which should help improve one of the conference’s best rushing defenses from a year ago.
Most interesting storyline: Will it be for a division title or won’t it? Georgia and South Carolina are favored to win the East, but predictions for Florida have been more conservative given that no one knows what the team will look like under Will Muschamp. This game could make a statement for either team, establishing South Carolina as a team to be reckoned with in the East or possibly finishing a better-than-expected season for Florida.
Be sure to check out earlier previews of the Gators’ opponents this season.
Sept. 3 – vs. Florida Atlantic
Sept. 10 – vs. UAB
Sept. 17 – vs. Tennessee
Sept. 24 – at Kentucky
Oct. 1 – vs. Alabama
Oct. 8 – at LSU
Oct. 15 – at Auburn
Oct. 29 – vs. Georgia
Nov. 5 – vs. Vanderbilt
