Florida can consolidate its hold on first place in the SEC East on Saturday afternoon when South Carolina comes to the Swamp, but fans looking for a pretty game should look elsewhere. Both defenses should maintain control over this game, and mistakes and turnovers should prove decisive.
South Carolina vs. Florida 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
Defenses should rule the day in this prototypical noon game.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Florida stands atop the SEC East at 6-2, but it's coming off a bad 31-10 loss last week at the hands of Arkansas. The offense is scuffling badly, and starting quarterback Luke Del Rio may be gone for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. While his long-term prognosis is still up in the air, he's definitely going to miss this game after playing through the injury last week.
South Carolina is 5-4 and one win away from bowl eligibility. This is not where most people predicted the Gamecocks would be, which was last place in the SEC. The offense has been as dreadful as advertised — ranking 114th in Offensive S&P+ — but the defense has kept them in, game after game.
How to watch, stream, and listen
TV: 12 p.m. ET, CBS
Radio: South Carolina | Florida
Online streaming: CBSSports.com
Spread: Florida is favored by 11 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Garnet and Black Attack for South Carolina fans and Alligator Army for Florida fans.
Three big things to know
1. Jake Bentley’s run as starting quarterback of the Gamecocks has been quietly amazing, but this will be his toughest test by far. Florida has the nation’s No. 6 defense, according to Defensive S&P+, and he’ll find the margins very slim. However, after springing the upset over Tennessee, there’s no reason for him to believe this game can’t be won.
2. As great as the Gators have been on defense, they’re the exact opposite on offense. They were thumped last week at Arkansas, putting up only 241 total yards and 13 first downs. They had to play catch-up early in the game, which probably won’t happen against South Carolina. The Gator defense should be able to keep this game within reach — the offense just needs to execute.
3. That offense will be without Del Rio, who may miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Purdue transfer Austin Appleby should get the nod in Del Rio's place, and while he has experience playing this year, no one will expect him to go light the world on fire.
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