Gameday Guide: South Carolina vs Tennessee football kickoff time, odds, stream, TV
South Carolina football hits the road to play the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville this weekend for its third Southeastern Conference game of the year.
The Vols are settling in under first-year head coach Josh Heupel, rushing away with a dominant 62-24 victory over Missouri in the Tigers’ home stadium last weekend. Tennessee’s strength is in its offense, which has started to click at the season’s midpoint. Volunteer rushers are averaging 255 yards per game, a mark good for second in the SEC, and piled 458 yards on the ground at Mizzou.
South Carolina veered out of conference play for last week’s meeting with the Sun Belt’s Troy in Columbia. The Gamecocks came away with a 23-14 win but didn’t answer many of the questions posed about the offense’s efficiency or its ability to capitalize on its staunch defensive efforts.
Quarterback Luke Doty continued to progress against Troy, as he put up career-highs in attempts, completions and passing yards going 20-for-34 for 255 yards and a touchdown. Still, USC had opportunities to make 6 points into 14. The Gamecocks stalled on a game-opening 70-yard drive and settled for another field goal after a blocked punt set them up inside at the Trojans’ 23-yard line.
The Gamecocks seek their first SEC East win under Beamer as they travel to Knoxville, where Tennessee will look for a win to increase its chance at a potential bowl berth. The Volunteers sit at 3-2 and turn to a challenging four-game stretch after hosting the Gamecocks, with two winnable games at the end of the season. South Carolina, also at 3-2, still has every chance to make it to six wins, though the Gamecocks have now completed their non-conference slate outside of their annual meeting with in-state rival Clemson.
What you need to know about the Week 6 matchup:
What channel is the South Carolina game on?
Who: South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC) at Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 SEC)
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Neyland Stadium (102,455) in Knoxville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN2
On-air announce crew: Anish Shroff, play-by-play; Mike Golic Jr., analyst; Taylor McGregor, sideline
Radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area (Todd Ellis, play-by-play; Tommy Suggs, analyst; Jamar Nesbit, sideline) … See all the radio affiliates around South Carolina here.
Satellite radio: Sirius 137/XM 201
Series history: South Carolina trails Tennessee in the all time series, 10-27-2. The Volunteers have won the last two matchups and carry a 17-3 record against the Gamecocks in Knoxville.
Weather forecast for Knoxville, TN
Saturday’s weather will be partly cloudy with pleasant fall temperatures, expected to hover around 73 degrees at kickoff. The high temperature is forecast at 79 degrees.
South Carolina vs Tennessee game prediction
ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Tennessee a 78.8% chance to win over the Gamecocks.
Point spread for UT vs USC Gamecocks
South Carolina opened as a 12-point road underdog to Tennessee, but the Volunteers are now favored by 10.5 points, according to VegasInsider.
ESPN Chalk’s David Purdum told The State the opening line for the Vols-Gamecocks matchup was one of the higher numbers he’s seen in a while in the series.
“Twelve is on the very high end of the opening numbers,” Purdum said. “A lot of books kind of waited and opened closer to 10. It has ticked up between 10 and 10½. We’ve seen an impressive Tennessee team last week. They seem to be ascending while South Carolina is still trying to find what they’re going to do the rest of the season.”
Week 6 SEC college football betting lines
Odds according to VegasInsider consensus.
South Carolina football injury, status report
- Safety R.J. Roderick will have to sit out the first half against Tennessee after being ejected for targeting in the third quarter of last week’s game against Troy.
- Defensive back Cam Smith was held out for part of the Troy game as a precaution after dealing with a hit to the head, but Beamer expects Smith to be fine for the Tennessee game.
- Defensive back Carlins Platel didn’t play against Troy due to a leg bruise, but Beamer said he should be back against Tennessee.
- Offensive lineman Jaylen Nichols didn’t play against Troy because of an ankle injury. Beamer said he’s hopeful Nichols will be back.
- Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown is nursing a wrist sprain, Beamer said, but Brown has practiced this week.
- Wide receiver OrTre Smith entered the transfer portal as of Monday.
- Linebacker Sherrod Greene remains out after undergoing surgery on his lower right leg following the Georgia game Sept. 18.
Gamecocks vs Tennessee Vols: What to watch for
South Carolina is still finding its identity on offense, but it hasn’t had the easiest stretch the past three weeks either. The Gamecocks have faced three of the country’s top 10 total defenses (No. 1 Georgia, No. 5 Troy and No. 10 Kentucky). While it’s not an excuse, it’s a factor worth mentioning.
Tennessee isn’t as intimidating defensively, ranked 10th of the SEC’s 14 teams and allowing an average of 339.2 yards per game. The Vols give up more yards in the passing game (235.2 average) than on the ground (104).
This could bode well for the Gamecocks, leaning on Doty and pass catchers like Josh Vann and Jalen Brooks while they figure out an effective running back rotation. Outside of its Week 1 matchup with Eastern Illinois, South Carolina averages less than 89 rushing yards per game — and it hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown since Week 1 either.
Ironically, the Volunteers’ most valuable asset is their ground game. Running back Tiyon Evans is stealing the show in Knoxville, accumulating 367 yards on 57 carries with five rushing touchdowns this season. He’ll offer USC’s defense its biggest tailback challenge since the Kentucky game, when SEC-leading rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for 144 yards on 26 attempts in the Wildcats’ 16-10 victory in Columbia.
South Carolina players to watch
1. Quarterback Luke Doty will likely continue to progress as the Gamecocks trek to Knoxville. Doty was thrust into action in the Gamecocks’ SEC opener and has shouldered more responsibility since the Georgia game, and it’s likely he’ll keep seeing his production build as USC moves through its SEC slate.
2. Tight end-wide receiver hybrid E.J. Jenkins showed his ability in the Troy game, hauling in his first touchdown reception as a Gamecock last weekend. He’s caught three passes, two against Troy and one against Kentucky, but the 6-foot-7 pass catcher (who told reporters this week he’s both a tight end and a wide receiver) could see his numbers move up in SEC play.
3. Safety Jaylan Foster should be on the radar every week, as the country’s leader in interceptions remains on a defensive tear. Foster forced two fumbles against Troy last Saturday, sacked the Trojans’ quarterback and led the team with 11 solo tackles.
Three Tennessee football players to watch
1. Running back Tiyon Evans is averaging almost 92 yards per game and has explosive play ability, breaking away for a 92-yard touchdown run against Missouri. Evans has accumulated 367 yards on 57 attempts for five touchdowns this season.
2. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is getting comfortable in Knoxville, completing 68.5% of his passes for 838 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception after taking over in Week 2. The Virginia Tech transfer is also mobile, accumulating another 216 yards on 46 attempts on the ground.
3. Defensive back Jaylen McCollough brought in his second interception of the season against Missouri and has also deflected three passes. The 6-foot junior ranks third on the team with 15 tackles.
South Carolina Gamecocks 2021 football schedule
Home games in bold
South Carolina football depth chart vs Tennessee
Any position, whether it’s a starter or a backup, is listed with an —OR— designation.
Offense
QB — Luke Doty (Zeb Noland, Jason Brown)
RB — ZaQuandre White —OR— MarShawn Lloyd —OR— Juju McDowell —OR— Kevin Harris
WR — Jalen Brooks (Xavier Legette)
WR — Dakereon Joyner (Ahmarean Brown)
WR — Josh Vann (Geri-Cari Caldwell)
LT — Jazston Turnetine —OR— Jakai Moore
LG — Vershon Lee (Jaylen Nichols)
OC — Eric Douglas (Vincent Murphy)
RG — Jovaughn Gwyn (Wyatt Campbell)
RT — Dylan Wonnum (Tyshawn Wannamaker)
TE — Nick Muse (E.J. Jenkins)
TE — Jaheim Bell (Traevon Kenion, Keveon Mullins)
Defense
EDGE — Aaron Sterling (Jordan Burch)
DT — Jabari Ellis (Tonka Hemingway)
DT — Zacch Pickens (Alex Huntley)
EDGE — Kingsley Enagbare (Jordan Strachan)
NICK — David Spaulding (Carlins Platel)
MLB — Damani Staley (Debo Williams)
WLB — Brad Johnson (Mo Kaba —OR— Darryle Ware)
CB — Cam Smith (Dominick Hill)
SS — R.J. Roderick (Jaylin Dickerson, Jahmar Brown)
FS — Jaylan Foster (Tyrese Ross)
CB — Darius Rush (Marcellas Dial)
Specialists
PK — Parker White (Mitch Jeter)
KO — Parker White —OR— Mitch Jeter —OR— Alex Herrera
P — Kai Kroeger (Alex Herrera)
LS — Matthew Bailey (Hunter Rogers)
H — Kai Kroger (Alex Herrera)
KOR — Dakereon Joyner (Juju McDowell)
PR — Josh Vann (Ahmarean Brown)
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
