Three matchups to watch in South Carolina’s road contest at Florida
South Carolina picked itself off the floor last week.
USC marched into Nashville and took down Vanderbilt 38-27 in a much-needed victory following a dismal showing in a loss to Missouri seven days prior.
Now, the Gamecocks hit the road for Gainesville and another tricky road trip.
Here are three matchups to watch when South Carolina takes on Florida:
Spencer Rattler vs. Florida secondary
I feel like I say this every week, but Rattler seems to be playing better than he’s getting credit for.
Yes, it hasn’t been all good. That said, if feels like the former Oklahoma quarterback has been coming on increasingly strong as the year goes on.
Rattler finished last week’s win with a 92.2 rating on Pro Football Focus’ 100-point scale. That was the best Week 10 grade of any Power Five quarterback. He’s also cut down on the “Oh no” throws that gave Oklahoma fans headaches during his time in Norman. Rattler had 10 turnover-worthy plays in his first three games at South Carolina. He’s had just six total over his last six contests.
That’s marked progress.
Florida, by contrast, has had its share of issues defensively this season.
The Gators are surrendering 256.1 yards per game this fall. That’s better than only Tennessee, Arkansas and Vanderbilt in the SEC. That number jumps to 285.8 passing yards per game in league competition.
Rattler hasn’t yet had a game where South Carolina needed him to go out and win it. Saturday may well be the day we see that for the first time.
USC defensive ends vs. Florida QB Anthony Richardson
Where Rattler may present problems for Florida, quarterback Anthony Richardson figures to put up big numbers this weekend against a South Carolina defense that’s struggled to contain run-heavy quarterbacks.
Richardson’s passing numbers are pedestrian at best: 131 of 235 (55.7%), 1,8356 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. However, his rushing numbers are among the best in the nation among signal-callers.
The Gainesville native is averaging 6.65 yards per carry — the third-best mark of any player in the SEC — while his eight touchdowns are tied for the fourth-most in the league.
Richardson has been wildly dangerous on the ground at home this year, averaging 8.54 yards per carry in The Swamp compared with 4.54 yards per rush on the road.
Defensive ends Jordan Burch and Gilber Edmond have both been disruptive forces at varying points this season. This week, though, they’ll need to be able to keep contain given Richardson’s ability to extend plays and wiggle around the pocket.
In Florida’s five wins this year, Richardson has run for 9.61 yards per touch. That number dips down 4.51 yards per carry in the Gators’ four losses.
Simply put, slow down Richardson in the run game and South Carolina will have a chance.
South Carolina RBs vs. Florida rushing defense
Not all that dissimilar from the above section, but South Carolina has been at its best when it runs the football.
Need proof?
The Gamecocks are rushing for more three times more yards in wins this year (177.33) compared with losses (54.67). They’ve also been better running the football on the road this year (142.33) than at home (133.5).
It’s not altogether clear whether South Carolina will have lead tailback MarShawn Lloyd on Saturday in Gainesville, but the Gamecocks managed OK without him last week in Nashville.
Do-it-all tight end Jaheim Bell led the team with 16 rushes, while Christian Beal-Smith, Juju McDowell and Spencer Rattler all had at least three carries in a 208-yard effort.
Florida, like South Carolina, has struggled to stop the run in 2022.
The Gators are surrendering 185.33 yards per game this year — good for 12th out of the 14 teams in the SEC. It also surrendered six rushing touchdowns over its two games and is without Brenton Cox Jr., who was kicked off the team on Oct. 31.
South Carolina’s passing game should have ample chances for big plays on Saturday. That said, the Gamecocks have been at their best when they run the football effectively.
They should have plenty of opportunity to do so Saturday in The Swamp (4 p.m., SEC Network).
This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 8:57 AM.
