First look: Storylines, betting odds for USC football’s game at Missouri
The Gamecocks are headed to the other Columbia.
Here’s an early look at the storylines and point spread as South Carolina travels to face No. 20 Missouri for the first of back-to-back road games.
South Carolina at Missouri game, TV/stream info
Who: South Carolina (2-4, 1-3 SEC) at No. 20 Missouri (6-1, 2-1 SEC)
Where: Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: SEC Network
Stream: via the ESPN app
Series history: Missouri leads the all-time series, 8-5 going back to 1979. This is the 14th meeting between the programs. South Carolina is 2-3 on the road against the Tigers, including a double overtime win (27-24) in Missouri in 2013. The last time USC beat Missouri was a 37-35 win at home in 2018.
Vegas betting odds
South Carolina is a 7-point underdog against Missouri, according to Fanduel Sportsbook.
About South Carolina
The Gamecocks turn toward Missouri after a 41-39 loss to Florida at home that dropped them to 2-4 (1-3 SEC). Now two games back from an even record, South Carolina and Shane Beamer have to prepare for a physical and aggressive Missouri team.
USC’s defense allowed nearly 500 yards of offense against the Gators last week, including 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. The passing defense is especially struggling this season, surrendering an average of 321.7 yards through six games
The offense, meanwhile, is doing its part. Spencer Rattler threw for 313 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the loss. The Gamecocks quarterback now averages 287.3 passing yards per game.
South Carolina hasn’t won a road game this season, and has allowed at least 24 points against in each of those contests.
About Missouri
Missouri became bowl-eligible with a 38-21 win over Kentucky in Lexington and checked in at No. 20 in this week’s AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll.
After falling behind 14-0 against the Wildcats, Missouri outscored Kentucky 38-7 the rest of the way, and had a successful fake punt. It was the first Tiger win in Lexington since 2013. Quarterback Brady Cook was 19-of-29 passing with 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and was only sacked once.
A win over South Carolina would give the Tigers their first seven-or-more-win season since 2018.
Gamecocks and Tigers to watch
USC TE Trey Knox: Knox was the top target for Rattler against the Gators with eight. He didn’t score a touchdown, but the tight end has gotten an increasing number of opportunities to make plays for the Gamecocks and has become value in running screen routes and moving the ball through midfield.
USC RB Juju McDowell: While USC running back Mario Anderson has found the spotlight, McDowell scored two touchdowns against Florida — his first multi-TD game of the season. The Gamecocks wanted its depth to make an impact on the field, and McDowell’s success helped boost the run game.
Missouri RB Cody Schrader: Schrader was the only running back to score a rushing touchdown against Kentucky. Schrader rushed for 71 yards on 20 carries, just ahead of Cook, who rushed for 40. Schrader’s averaged 5.7 yards per carry this season.
Missouri DB Kris Abrams-Draine: Abrams-Draine was one of two Tigers to get an interception against Kentucky, and it was his fourth of the season. He had three tackles against the Wildcats, all three assisted, a half-tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup.
South Carolina schedule
- Sept. 2: North Carolina 31, South Carolina 17
- Sept. 9: South Carolina 47, Furman 21
- Sept. 16: Georgia 24, South Carolina 14
- Sept. 23: South Carolina 37, Mississippi State 30
- Sept. 30: Tennessee 41, South Carolina 20
- Oct. 7: Open week
- Oct. 14: Florida 41, South Carolina 39
- Oct. 21: at Missouri (SEC Network)
- Oct. 28: at Texas A&M
- Nov. 4: vs. Jacksonville State
- Nov. 11: vs. Vanderbilt
- Nov. 18: vs. Kentucky
- Nov. 25: vs. Clemson
This story was originally published October 16, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
