The Daily Gamecock

Gamecocks seek season-defining upset over Florida

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The once formidable South Carolina football team has declined dramatically in the past two seasons. Just two years ago, Gamecock fans were cheering against Missouri, knowing that a single misstep could lead South Carolina to the SEC Championship Game.

Now, Gamecock fans are cheering for moral victories hoping the team will cover the spread or at least keep it interesting.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Interim head coach Shawn Elliott and company will have a unique opportunity over the season’s final three weeks. In the three games since Elliott took over for Steve Spurrier the Gamecocks have played well, nearly upsetting Texas A&M and Tennessee.

This week, the Gamecocks draw No. 11 Florida. The 8-1 Gators, coming off a sloppy 9-7 win over perennial bottom-dweller Vanderbilt, will enter WIlliams-Brice with an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff.

At 6-1 in conference play, the Gators have already clinched a spot in the SEC Championship Game. Because the playoffs are determined only by a committee of evaluators, the Gators will not only be looking to win, but to win big. 

Florida will look to bounce back from a terrible showing last week in which the Gators totaled just 258 yards of offense despite running 61 plays.

South Carolina linebackers coach Kirk Botkin is not taking the Gator offense lightly, though. 

“They run the football,” Botkin said. “They’ve got some big boys up front. They’ve got athletes everyone. They do a lot of stuff formation-wise. Just getting lined up is probably the biggest thing. They have a ton of formations and a ton of personnel groupings. That’s always a challenge. And they’re the best team in the East. Anytime you’re jumping those tight ends around, it becomes mental gymnastics a little bit on defense.” 

The Gamecock defense has played well since Elliott has taken over, especially late in games. Since Elliott took over, the Gamecocks have given up only three points in the final quarter. However, The Gamecock offense has only contributed three points in the fourth quarter under Elliott. 

The Gamecock offense has played exceptionally well in the third quarter all season, but to win against Florida, South Carolina must put together a complete game on the offensive side of the ball. 

The Gamecocks have not led at halftime this entire season with all three wins coming via second-half comeback. Saturday against the Gators, the Gamecocks must start and end strong if they hope to pull off the upset.

Florida will limp into Columbia nursing several injuries on defense. Defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard and starting free safety Keanu Neal are questionable, but backup defensive lineman has already been ruled out for the Gators. 

This year has not gone as planned for the 3-6 Gamecocks, but with home games against Florida and No. 1 Clemson, South Carolina has two opportunities to redefine the season with an improbable upset win against a rival.

The Gamecocks will need consistent play on both sides of the ball, but if they can put together four good quarters, South Carolina can win. It will take solid defense, a balanced offensive attack and production from key skill players, but Elliott and the team believe they have a chance. 

The game will be televised on ESPN at noon on Saturday with Ed Cunningham and Mike Patrick in the booth. 


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