Before last Thursday, most pundits and fans assumed this Saturday’s game between South Carolina and East Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium would be a nice tuneup for the Gamecocks before a possible SEC East-deciding game against Georgia. Instead, it looks like a tough must-win to avoid a possible 0-3 start.
How to watch ECU vs. South Carolina: Preview, TV/streaming, odds
The Gamecocks will try to get up off the mat against the Pirates.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
The Gamecocks were run over by Texas A&M in the opener -- or, more accurately, they were passed over. They did not play well on offense. The did not play well on defense. They are now 0-1, already in a hole in the division race and -- barring significant improvement in a hurry -- almost certainly out of the national title hunt. How South Carolina responds against ECU will tell us a lot about how the rest of the season will look in Columbia.
The Pirates should not be overlooked. They're coming off a 10-3 season, losing only a road contest at a 10-4 Marshall team by more than five points. East Carolina's offense averaged 40 points per game a year ago, and quarterback Shane Carden threw for 4,139 yards, 33 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. Basically, ECU is a nightmare matchup for South Carolina right now.
How to witness
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Radio: South Carolina; East Carolina
Online streaming: WatchESPN
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The numbers
Rankings and records: South Carolina is 0-1 and enters the contest ranked 21st in the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll. East Carolina is unranked and sports a 1-0 record.
Vegas: South Carolina opened as a 15.5-point favorite, and the spread has increased to 17 points at most sportsbooks. The over/under is set at 63.
Weather forecast: 83 with a chance of thunderstorms.
Three names to know
South Carolina’s secondary
Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill torched the Gamecocks for 511 passing yards, and ECU runs a similar Air Raid offense. The defensive backs need to bounce back in a big way. Safety-turned-cornerback Brison Williams has been battling through a forearm injury but may be ready to go, and game one starting cornerback Al Harris, Jr. has been benched in favor of Rico McWilliams.
South Carolina’s running backs
Steve Spurrier has been something of a moving target on the subject of whether star running back Mike Davis will play on Saturday and, if so, how much his bruised ribs will allow him play. South Carolina’s running game just wasn’t the same during Davis’ extended absences against Texas A&M. Backups Brandon Wilds, Shon Carson, and Dave Williams are all expected to get a shot against the Pirates.
Justin Hardy, East Carolina WR
Hardy caught eight passes for 87 yards and two scores in the Week 1 blowout win over North Carolina Central, and the senior is coming off a 1,200-yard season. He, along with sophomore Isaiah Jones (10 catches, 150 yards, one TD last week), could be a serious problem for that iffy Gamecock secondary.
Two things at stake
Coming off a thumping at the hands of Texas A&M, and with Georgia next up on the schedule, the Gamecocks can’t afford to lose this one. They really need to use it as an opportunity to get right before facing the Bulldogs.
There’s a long way to go before making the dream come true, but East Carolina is one of the few Group of 5 teams that could push for a playoff spot. With plenty of talent and a schedule that features the Gamecocks, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and UCF, an unbeaten run could get the Pirates in the conversation.
Further reading
For all things South Carolina, check out Garnet and Black Attack. For more Group of 5 coverage, visit Underdog Dynasty.
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