Wilds will "definitely" start against Volunteers
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier reiterated Sunday that true freshman Brandon Wilds will start at tailback against Tennessee but expressed hope that two injured veterans could be available to back up the Blythewood native.
Spurrier said on a teleconference with local reporters that Eric Baker (ankle) "might be able to play" and Kenny Miles (wrist) "hopefully" will be available on Saturday against the Vols. Baker suffered what has been called a "severe" ankle sprain against Vanderbilt, while Miles sprained his wrist against the Commodores and was wearing a cast as of last week.
USC (6-1, 4-1 SEC) is hopeful the time off gained with its bye week will allow both players to heal enough to the point they can play. If only one or neither is ready, walk-on Josh Hinch, a Knoxville, Tenn., native, "would be next in line to go in there," Spurrier said.
No matter who is active, Wilds' role will not change against Tennessee (3-4, 0-4), Spurrier said. The former Blythewood High star will "definitely" start at tailback in place of Marcus Lattimore, who was lost for the season against Mississippi State with ligament and cartilage damage in his left knee.
"He's been here all year; he's been practicing all year," said Spurrier of Wilds. "He's ready to go."
Worley may be in line for start: Tennessee coach Derek Dooley's decision to burn true freshman quarterback Justin Worley's redshirt late in the Vols' 37-6 loss at No. 2 Alabama has many believing Worley, a Rock Hill native and former Northwestern High standout, may make his first career start Saturday against the Gamecocks.
Dooley did not comment on UT's quarterback situation after the game, but it is far from stable. Starter Tyler Bray, who still leads the Southeastern Conference in passing efficiency and total offense and passing yards per game despite having missed the last two weeks, is out with a broken thumb suffered against Georgia. He is not expected to return for another four weeks.
Backup Matt Simms has started in Bray's absence but has played poorly in consecutive losses to top-ranked LSU and the Crimson Tide.
Worley, an early enrollee who went through spring practice, did not attempt a pass against Alabama. As a high school senior in 2010, Worley was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year and led Northwestern to a 15-0 record and a 4A Division II state championship.
"I guess he wants to play the young man the rest of the season," said Spurrier of Dooley's decision. "I would think that Tennessee is probably planning on giving that player a little bit more opportunity."
Gamecocks fall in coaches' poll: A week off led to a drop for USC in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The Gamecocks are now No. 14 in the poll after coming in at No. 12 a week ago. USC stayed at No. 14 in the Associated Press media poll.
Game channel announced: USC's game with Tennessee, already scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. kickoff time, will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, the Southeastern Conference announced Sunday.