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Gameday preview: USC vs. Florida

Posted on 11.14.09
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GAMECOCKS VS. GATORS

WHO: Florida (9-0, 7-0 SEC) at USC (6-4, 3-4)

WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Williams-Brice Stadium

LATEST LINE: Florida by 17.5

TV: CBS, WLTX-19 (TWC 9/DTV 19/DISH 19)

RADIO: WNKT-FM 107.5

ONLINE: Seth Emerson blogs live at gogamecocks.com

Injury report, five game storylines, five questions with Jarriel King and more

INJURIES

South Carolina - DE Devin Taylor (sternum) is out; DE Cliff Matthews (shoulder) is questionable; OL Jarriel King (concussion) will play.

Florida - DT Brandon Antwine (shoulder) and S Dorian Munroe (knee) are out; CB Moses Jenkins (concussion) and LB Jelani Jenkins (ankle) are doubtful; LB Brandon Hicks (ankle) and RB Mike Gillislee (ankle) are questionable.

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FIVE STORYLINES

Calling the ball plays

Steve Spurrier says he'will be more involved in the offensive play calling after the Gamecocks scored 49 points over their past four games. Receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. called most of the plays the first 10 games. But it might not matter who draws them up against Florida, which has allowed fewer points (10.1 per game) than any team in the country and is second nationally in total defense (232.4 yards).

Go easy, he's an alum

The Gators hung half a hundred on their ex-Ball Coach each of the last two meetings, including a 56-6 romp last year at the Swamp that was Spurrier's worst loss as a player or coach. Without Percy Harvin, Florida has been less explosive than last season. The Gamecocks hope to avoid the turnovers that plagued them last year in Gainesville to have a shot.

Gators' pursuit of perfection

Florida, which clinched the SEC East two weeks ago, is gunning for the first undefeated season in school history, and its first 8-0 conference mark since 1996. Urban Meyer's team has won a school-record 19 consecutive games, winning by an average of 30 points during the streak. Spurrier could be the spoiler of his alma mater's title hopes.

They're No. 1

USC will face its third top-5 opponent this season: The Gamecocks beat No. 4 Mississippi 16-10, and lost to No. 2 Alabama 20-6. The loss in Tuscaloosa dropped the Gamecocks to 0-12 against teams ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the AP poll. Florida is attempting to become the second team since the AP poll started in 1936 to finish No. 1 in three out of four seasons.

Cool uniforms, cool cause

The Gamecocks will sport black-and-desert-camouflage uniforms designed by Under Armour today to promote the Wounded Warrior Project, a group that raises awareness for severely injured armed services members. Instead of the players' names, the jerseys will feature words representing core values such as duty, honor and country. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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GAME WITHIN THE GAME

LB Eric Norwood vs. QB Tim Tebow

About Norwood: The two-time All-SEC selection had his first sack in six games last week against Arkansas. The senior is No. 1 at USC in sacks and tackles for loss, and is the SEC's active leader in both categories. Norwood has seven sacks this season for a slight lead over three players, including Florida's Carlos Dunlap, who was last year's sack champ.

How he'll win: Given the Gamecocks' lack of depth along the defensive line, Norwood figures to get a lot of snaps at defensive end. Besides putting pressure on Tebow in the pocket, Norwood also will have to corral the hard-to-bring-down Tebow when he keeps the ball on the read-option. Norwood, one of the Gamecocks' best tacklers, needs to wrap up Tebow.

Key number: 2, number of times Norwood sacked Tebow in last year's game, the only sacks the Gators allowed.

About Tebow: Tebow, who is hoping to add to his Heisman Trophy collection, has completed 66 percent of his passes but has not thrown for nearly as many yards as he did in 2007 and '08. But the 6-3, 240-pound senior has been his usual bullish self in the run game. Tebow is the Gators' rushing leader with 578 yards and passed Herschel Walker as the SEC's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns.

How he'll win: The Gators will look to get their read-option play rolling against USC's banged-up defensive front. Tebow had a huge game against the Gamecocks two years ago, rushing for a school-record five touchdowns and throwing for two other scores. Tebow might try to take advantage of Norwood's limited coverage skills if Norwood drops.

Key number: 21, times Tebow has been sacked this season - the most of his career and third most in the SEC.

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FIVE QUESTIONS WITH JARRIEL KING

Offensive tackle/No. 76/North Charleston

King, in his second season since transferring from junior college, returns to the lineup after missing the Arkansas game following his concussion at Tennessee. The junior had offseason surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat.

What were the circumstances surrounding your concussion?

During the game when I hit the guy, I just thought it was a good hit. I really can't even remember the hit right now. It's been messing with my head, put it like that. I can't remember too much of anything after I hit the guy. I lost my vision for a (second), got a little blurry, came back together and after that I kept on playing. I don't know how.

You've been to the hospital a few times now. How's your heart condition?

My heart's great. I'm doing the things I'm supposed to do, and staying away from things I'm not supposed to do. That takes care of itself, just me doing what I'm instructed to do.

What are those things you have to keep to up with?

The slightest things - my body temperature, making sure I'm drinking the right temperature fluids. That can have a big effect. I don't use drugs and alcohol and things like that, so that's not even a problem. Just doing things I've been instructed to do by the doctors and keeping up with exercising, keeping my heart straight with cardio and eating right. All that stuff plays a part.

Has this been more of a challenging season for you than last year?

Each year there's something that's challenging. Last year it was breaking in on the O-line. This year it's trying to be effective on the O-line with a new coach (Eric Wolford) who, I think, is actually pushing me a whole lot more. Not stepping on coach (John) Hunt's toes or anything, but playing with a coach who really just wants me to maximize my potential.

You have the No. 1 team in the country this week. You have Clemson the last week. How does this team get things turned around?

It all starts up top, man, in the head. You gotta get that head right first. I've got two cases where I've got to get my head right. I've got to get this concussion worn off, and then I've got to get just mentally in the game. There's no doubt we can beat Florida. Great team. Can't take anything away from them. They deserve to be the No. 1 team. But hey, it's been done plenty of times where the No. 1 team's been knocked off.

Person's Prediction: Florida 28, USC 13

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