Gamecocks will face ‘different team’ Saturday night in Mississippi

South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp isn’t worried that Mississippi State’s shocking loss to South Alabama on Saturday will make his team underestimate the Bulldogs this weekend.

“We will face a different football team Saturday night in Starkville. We know that,” Muschamp said. “We just need to worry about South Carolina.”

The Gamecocks will play Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs are coming off a 21-20 loss to South Alabama, which was 3-5 in the Sun Belt last year.

“Any given Saturday anyone can beat anyone,” Muschamp said. “I think you see the parity in college football right now.

“Somebody made a comment to me Friday, ‘Well, they just play South Alabama.’ I said, ‘South Alabama’s got a bunch of good football players,’ ” Muschamp said. “They have a bunch of good athletes. They have some transfers in there. (Coach Joey Jones) and his staff do a very good job.”

Stanley sidelined

Junior offensive guard Donell Stanley will miss at least five weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain against Vanderbilt. Stanley was injured on the first play of the game and came out after the first series. Muschamp described the injury as “pretty severe.”

“He got hurt on the first play of the game. He played for the next eight plays. I don’t know how he did that,” Muschamp said. “He’s a tough young man, and we need to get him back.”

Stanley could return after the Gamecocks’ bye week on Oct. 15, Muschamp said.

Alan Knott will return to the team this week after missing the first game due to suspension. Knott started at center last year and could play there this week while Cory Helms moves to Stanley’s spot at guard. Or the Gamecocks may go with the right some combination they used against the Commodores – D.J. Park moved from right tackle to right guard and Blake Camper inserted into the starting lineup at right tackle.

In addition to Knott’s return, the Gamecocks will get reserve offensive lineman Christian Pellage and backup safety Toure Boyd back from suspension.

Nunez update

Sophomore Lorenzo Nunez, who moved from quarterback to wide receiver during the preseason, did not make the travel roster last week because he has not yet cracked the depth chart at the position, Muschamp said.

“I only travel the guys we know are going to contribute to the game and Lorenzo is still going through the process of learning the position,” Muschamp said. “That’s something he’s going to continue to go through. He’s had a great attitude, and we are excited about him in our program.”

This story was originally published September 4, 2016 at 8:03 PM with the headline "Gamecocks will face ‘different team’ Saturday night in Mississippi."