After a last-second loss to Tennessee, the Gamecocks were able to pay it forward with one for Missouri, pulling out a win in double overtime. They will need to keep winning if they want a shot at the SEC East crown, but the remaining schedule is extremely difficult, with games against Clemson and Florida still on the docket.
How to watch Mississippi State vs. South Carolina: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
South Carolina is looking to keep pace with -- and hopefully chase down -- Missouri in the SEC East.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Bulldogs were victorious last week against Kentucky and are looking to stretch their winning streak to three.
The numbers
Rankings and records: South Carolina, which ranks 14th in the BCS standings, is 8-6 all-time against the Bulldogs and have won the last six.
Vegas: South Carolina opened as an 11.5-point favorite. The over/under opened at 52.
Weather: The weather in Columbia is scheduled to be sunny with a slight chance of rain.
Three names to know
Connor Shaw (South Carolina quarterback) - Last weekend against Missouri, Shaw delivered a gutsy, clutch performance, coming off the bench to lead the Gamecocks to victory. He was helped by a pair of missed field goals, but don't let that take away from what he accomplished personally -- Shaw tossed three touchdowns and went for 201 yards in less than a full game of play. Thanks largely to that, South Carolina is still alive in the SEC East race.
Nickoe Whitley (Mississippi State defensive back) - A preseason All-SEC candidate, Whitley will be asked to slow down South Carolina's deadly receiving duo of Bruce Ellington and Damiere Byrd. He leads the team with three interceptions.
Mike Davis (South Carolina running back) - Davis does it all for the Gamecocks -- he is likely to pass the 1,000 rushing yard mark in this one, but also ranks third on the team in receiving yardage as well. Missouri found that out the hard way when he caught several screen passes late in the fourth quarter, part of South Carolina’s comeback.
Two things at stake
South Carolina is still hoping for another Missouri loss, but short of that, the only thing it can do is keep winning.
Mississippi State got its first conference win last week against Kentucky. Another one against South Carolina would be huge -- the Bulldogs are still two wins short of bowl qualification, and of the remaining slate, only Arkansas looks like a probable win.
How to witness
TV: 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network (Dave Neal, Andre Ware, Cara Capuano)
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Further reading
Garnet and Black Attack is your home for South Carolina. For Whom the Cowbell Tolls will be ringing in anything MSU related. SEC blog Team Speed Kills will also have coverage.
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