Scouting the Gamecocks’ next opponent: The Florida Gators
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium
TV: ESPN
Last week: Florida made a 43-yard field goal with 2:22 remaining to earn a 9-7 home win over Vanderbilt. The victory clinches the SEC East for the Gators.
Three story lines
After South Carolina beat Florida in overtime at The Swamp last season, Florida announced 2014 would be Will Muschamp’s last with the Gators. Jim McElwain took over and has Florida ranked No. 11 in his first season in Gainesville.
Florida quarterback Will Grier was off to a great start to the season before being suspended for the year for PEDs. Treon Harris has taken over and is completing less than 55 percent of his passes. He’s 56-for-102 for 853 yards with five touchdowns and an interception.
This will be Florida’s fourth time in five games playing away from Gainesville. The Gators played at Missouri, at LSU and in Jacksonville against Georgia before hosting Vandy on Saturday.
Three players to watch
Antonio Callaway, a true freshman from Miami, is a big-play receiver averaging 21.5 yards per catch. He is tied for the team lead in touchdowns with three. Callaway is also averaging 14.4 yards per punt return, including a 72-yard return for a touchdown against LSU.
Vernon Hargreaves III is arguably the best cornerback in college football. He is tied for 16th in the country in interceptions with four, and he doesn’t just pick passes off, he does damage afterward. Hargreaves has 152 return yards on his four picks.
Jonathan Bullard, a Shelby, N.C. native, is a dominant force on Florida’s defense. He has 44 tackles, 13 for loss, five sacks and five quarterback hurries.
Pick
South Carolina 24, Florida 21. I believed when Shawn Elliott took over as interim coach South Carolina would win a game it shouldn’t. After getting close at Texas A&M and at Tennessee, I think USC gets its upset win this week. Carolina is playing hard under Elliott and Florida isn’t the same team without Grier.
Matt Connolly
This story was originally published November 8, 2015 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Scouting the Gamecocks’ next opponent: The Florida Gators."