Week 12: South Carolina at Florida

Florida has already claimed the SEC East crown but a bigger prize is waiting if it wins out. The Gators have their sights set on a second national championship in three seasons but South Carolina won’t be a pushover. The last time the Gamecocks visited Gainesville, the Gators needed a late field goal block to escape with the victory.

South Carolina must slow down the Florida offense to have a chance. The Gators are averaging over 50 points in their last four SEC contests. The Gamecocks enter Saturday’s game allowing just under 16 points per game and rank as the top total defense in the SEC. Still, the Gators are clearly the best offensive team they have played this season.

It all starts with a red-hot Tim Tebow. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is making a case to be included in the discussion again. But looking at the weapons Tebow has at his disposal makes any defensive coordinator sick. Percy Harvin and Jeff Demps are just two playmakers running all over the field seemingly at will. Keeping this unit under four touchdowns would be a feat.

But even keeping that scoring pace may prove to be too much for South Carolina. The Gamecocks are the worst ranked run offense in the SEC and have quarterback question marks. Redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia has shown flashes but doesn’t have the confidence of head coach Steve Spurrier. Garcia and sophomore Chris Smelley will likely rotate snaps this Saturday.

Notes:

Florida owns a 21-4-3 series edge over South Carolina.

Florida has not lost to South Carolina in Gainesville. The last win for the Gamecocks came in 2005 in Columbia

South Carolina safety Chris Culliver was ejected for fighting in the second half of last week’s win against Arkansas and will miss the first half against Florida.

Key Player (Gamecocks) — Stephen Garcia, QB

Garcia is South Carolina’s best chance at a win. He can create plays with his legs and with Florida’s attacking defense, being able to scramble will be a huge advantage.

Key Player (Gators) — Percy Harvin, WR

Defensive coordinators trying to gameplan for Florida likely spend many sleepless nights trying to figure out the best strategy. Harvin has scored a touchdown in every game he has played this season, and coach Urban Meyer would like to get him 15-20 touches each week.

Gators by 17