Five reasons South Carolina can beat Tennessee

1. WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

Tennessee has to replace nearly every offensive star it had last season. While the Volunteers will certainly have something figured out by Week 7 when the Gamecocks head to Knoxville, will the solutions be that threatening?

2. TAKE YOUR TIME, JAKE

If there’s a game where USC’s offensive line can relax, this is probably it. The Volunteers lost Derek Barnett and any potential replacements were fighting injuries all last year or all spring.

3. OUT OF BOUNDS

The most known scoring commodity the Vols have is return man Evan Berry. The Gamecocks certainly know who he is after he took a kickoff 100 yards last year. Don’t kick it to him, don’t have a problem.

4. RISING TIDE

The Gamecocks take on another opponent whose next game is against Alabama. If the Vols get through their early schedule OK, they’d know beating the Crimson Tide would be a huge step toward winning a title – and not be concerned with USC.

5. K-E-DOUBLE L-Y

John Kelly took over UT’s running game last year and he’ll be the guy they lean on this year. But will he be able to hold up over a long season, where he gets tested a lot right away? The Gamecocks could catch him as wear and tear set in.