Staff picks: South Carolina-Tennessee, Week 12 highlights
South Carolina enters its final week of SEC play reeling.
The Gamecocks were dismantled 38-6 at Florida and now turn their attention to No. 5 Tennessee coming in for senior day. South Carolina is nearly a three-touchdown underdog, so here’s how the GamecockCentral staff sees this one shaking out.
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Chris Clark: The Volunteers’ high-powered offense should prevent major issues for a Gamecocks defense that’s had some struggles lately. As well, the Carolina offense has had its two worst offensive performances of the year in the last three weeks. USC will need its best performances of the year, plus another big special teams performance and a significant different in turnover margin, to spring a massive upset. It seems a tall order this week. Tennessee 52, South Carolina 10.
Terry Ford: Everyone talks about the Vols passing game, but Tennessee runs for almost 200 yds a game. And we all know about the USC issues with stopping the run. Plus, the way the Carolina offense is going, they won’t be able to take advantage of the things the Tennessee defense doesn’t do well. Tennessee 45, South Carolina 20.
Pearson Fowler: With no Marshawn Lloyd or CBS for the second straight week, Carolina’s opportunity to run the ball, shorten the game, and limit Tennessee’s opportunities like Florida and Pitt did (albeit in losing efforts), seems limited at best. It doesn’t help either that Tennessee clearly is (and should be) going for style points, as evidenced by the extra scores at the end of the Missouri game last week. The Clemson game may have always looked like the likelier of these final two games to provide an upset opportunity for the Gamecocks, but this one might get ugly like last year’s contest. Tennessee 52, South Carolina 10.
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Joe Macheca: South Carolina is banged up on defense and the Vols run all over the banged up defense. Cam Smith limits Hyatt more than we think, but just not enough. The South Carolina offense gets two TDs, one in each half. This game will unfortunately be a lot like UGA. Tennessee 42, South Carolina 14.
Wes Mitchell: It’s going to take pretty much everything to fall in the Gamecocks’ favor for them to win this one. Not only is Tennessee a really good — borderline great? — team but their strengths match up with some of Carolina’s weaknesses. Tennessee 42, South Carolina 21.
Jay Phillips: This pick is simpler: I don’t believe the SC offense can match Tennessee’s in any way, and I worry about the Gamecocks’ defense being overwhelmed early and often. Carolina needs to run successfully, that way UT won’t have the ball as often, but this mountain seems too tall. Tennessee 44, South Carolina 20.
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Michael Sauls: This might be the last game I cover in Williams-Brice and it’s a shame it’ll likely end in a blood bath. Tennessee is really good and I think with the way the South Carolina defense has played the last few weeks, the Vols will run up and down the field on Saturday. That being said, the Gamecocks are really good at home playing in night games, a perfect 6-0, and for all we know, they could use the crowd energy to help catapult them to an upset victory — similar to the Texas A&M game. Tennessee 45, South Carolina 20.
Kendall Smith: South Carolina has lost two of their last three, including a demoralizing loss to Florida last week. Tennessee’s offense is quick, prolific, and explosive. I do not think the Gamecocks can keep up. The gap is just too wide between the two teams, hence why Tennessee is a top-five program at this point in the season. Tennessee 45, South Carolina 13.
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Collyn Taylor: Tennessee is arguably the second or third-best offense in the country and South Carolina’s defense has struggled to stop anybody the last three weeks. The first quarter will probably determine this game. If South Carolina can force some turnovers and short fields, it has a chance to make this a four-quarter game. If not, the Gamecocks could blink and be down 28-0. This is the time Tennessee flexes its muscle and tries to put up some style points while showing it should be in the playoff. Tennessee 56, South Carolina 17.
Mike Uva: After laying an egg last week against Florida, South Carolina will bounce back and show some fight to make it interesting. But in the end, keeping up with Tennessee’s elite offense will prove to be too much for the Gamecocks. Tennessee 38, South Carolina 20.
Jack Veltri: Saturday night has the potential to be a very long game for South Carolina. There aren’t many weaknesses with this Tennessee squad, especially on offense. The Gamecocks have proven to be bad against high tempo play and the Vols are as quick as it gets. It’s blink and you’ll miss it play calling. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing Rocky Top a lot this weekend. Tennessee 63, South Carolina 14.
| Picker | TCU at Baylor | Southern Cal at UCLA | Utah at Oregon | Texas Tech at Iowa State | Illinois at Michigan | NC State at Louisville | Georgia State at James Madison | UConn at Army |
| Chris Clark (63-35) | TCU | Southern Cal | Oregon | Texas Tech | Michigan | Louisville | James Madison | UConn |
| Terry Ford (62-36) | TCU | Southern Cal | Oregon | Iowa State | Michigan | Louisville | James Madison | Army |
| Pearson Fowler (57-41) | TCU | UCLA | Utah | Iowa State | Michigan | Louisville | James Madison | UConn |
| Joe Macheca (53-27) | TCU | Southern Cal | Oregon | Texas Tech | Michigan | NC State | Georgia State | UConn |
| Wes Mitchell (64-34) | Baylor | Southern Cal | Oregon | Iowa State | Illinois | Louisville | James Madison | Army |
| Jay Phillips (64-34) | TCU | Southern Cal | Oregon | Iowa State | Michigan | Louisville | James Madison | Army |
| Michael Sauls (55-43) | TCU | Southern Cal | Oregon | Texas Tech | Michigan | NC State | James Madison | UConn |
| Kendall Smith (57-41) | TCU | UCLA | Oregon | Texas Tech | Michigan | Louisville | James Madison | Army |
| Collyn Taylor (62-36) | Baylor | Southern Cal | Utah | Iowa State | Michigan | NC State | James Madison | Army |
| Mike Uva (67-31) | TCU | Southern Cal | Oregon | Texas Tech | Michigan | Louisville | James Madison | Army |
| Jack Veltri (64-34) | TCU | Southern Cal | Oregon | Texas Tech | Michigan | Louisville | James Madison | UCConn |
