Florida Welcomes In South Carolina In Key SEC East Matchup

Two weeks ago, the Florida Gators faced the LSU Tigers in what was being billed as the game of the year for Florida; but now the number two Gators take on the number seven Gamecocks on Saturday in a game that may mean even more.

The game is featured on the popular ESPN pregame show College Gameday, with the set already being set up on the north side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. And on the field, the winner takes first place in the SEC East, and has the inside track to Atlanta and the conference championship game.  South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier says it’s going to be tough to deal with the pressure in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

At the same time, Gator head coach Will Muschamp says he feels good about his team’s play.

One key to this game and getting on top of the East will be the running game for both squads.  Florida sports running back Mike Gillislee, the leading rusher in the SEC with over 100 yards per game.  He is on pace for over 1,000 rushing yards, the first Gator to hit that milestone since Ciatrick Fason in 2004.

Meanwhile, the Gamecocks hope to hand the ball off to running back RB Marcus Lattimore, and Muschamp says it’s going to be tough to stop the junior back.

But Lattimore is listed as questionable on the injury report with a hip injury.  Play-by-play man for the Gamecocks Todd Ellis says it’s not looking good for the Gamecocks backfield.

Ellis goes on to say it isn’t just the running back who’s not coming into the game at 100%.

On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore defensive end Jadeveon Clowney looks to provide a lot of pressure for South Carolina.  Muschamp says that Clowney is a guy with lethal speed and instincts, and that he’ll move around to try and disrupt the Florida offense.

But the Old Ball Coach says he’s also proud of how  linebacker Shaq Wilson, the senior out of Jacksonville, has played.

For the Gator offense that has struggled at times blocking up front, South Carolina looks to provide a challenge.  But Gator offensive coordinator Brent Pease says that his guys have been getting ready in practice for a battle in the trenches.

You can catch all the action with the First and Ten pregame show at 12:30 and kickoff at 3:30 right here on ESPN Radio 850/900.

 

About Corey Brooks

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Florida Men Set NCAA Record in 200 Medley Relay

Florida set a collegiate record to win the national championship in the 200-yard medley relay …