Staff Picks: South Carolina vs. Ole Miss, other Week 6 matchups

Coming off a bye week, South Carolina has a huge test on hand Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks will take on No. 12 Ole Miss at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Here’s how the GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staff sees this game going plus a few predictions on other key matchups this weekend.

George Bagwell: I haven’t picked against South Carolina yet and I might never. Having LaNorris Sellers, Rocket Sanders, and Jared Brown back should be a boost to this Gamecocks offense and just enough to take out a reeling Ole Miss squad. South Carolina 27, Ole Miss 20.

Peyton Butt: I believe it will be a close game but I don’t think the defense will be able to stop Dart and make tackles. I also think the tempo will be a major issue that will throw off South Carolina’s grove and focus. Ole Miss 30, South Carolina 17.

Elijah Campbell: Despite the loss to Kentucky, I’m still not out on Ole Miss. I think that’s still a team that has legit national championship talent on both sides of the ball but South Carolina will scare the lights out of them. Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart will help limit the Rebel offense but my one hang up is tackling in the secondary. I think Ole Miss makes just enough plays to win the game but South Carolina will give them more than they can handle. Ole Miss 30 South Carolina 24.

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Chris Clark: This game comes down to a big play here and there. Both teams defensive lines will cause some problems for the opposing offense, but the Gamecocks make one more play. South Carolina: 27, Ole Miss 24.

Terry Ford: It’ll be the Ole Miss run game that will be the difference in this game. As good as the Gamecocks pass rush has been, both Kentucky and LSU had some success running the ball vs USC. Ole Miss 31, South Carolina 22.

Griffin Goodwyn: Ole Miss heads into this contest as national leaders in different metrics on both sides of the football – total offense (602.7 yards per game) and tackles for loss (53). Granted, many of those tackles for loss and gained yards came against significantly weaker competition, but the Rebels have plenty of weapons and motivation from an upset loss last weekend on their side. Here’s to hoping the “reverse jinx” works in the Gamecocks’ favor again on Saturday. Ole Miss 34, South Carolina 24. 

Tyler Head: I think we’re all feeling better about the Gamecocks’ chances in this game than we initially thought before the season. That being said, Ole Miss was shocked by Kentucky last week and I think that will serve as a wake up call. The Rebels are extremely talented and feel the sense of urgency which I think will make a difference. Ole Miss 27, South Carolina 21.

Wes Mitchell: There are some aspects about this matchup that I don’t necessarily love for the Gamecocks but one thing I do love is their defensive line against Ole Miss’ offensive line. On the other side, it’s an Ole Miss defensive front that also should have some success. Which offensive line can give its group a chance will probably win the game. Home field advantage hasn’t been talked about much but if it’s a tight game like I expect, it could be a factor. Give me the home team. South Carolina 24, Ole Miss 21.

Jay Philips: I’ve been back and forth on this prediction. The Gamecocks come off a bye week and should be rested and a bit healthier; Ole Miss has had a week to stew over a disappointing loss at home. I think the team that plays with more mental toughness may come out on top. The WB crowd will again be electric while the Rebels will have a back against the wall mindset. If Carolina can run and tackle well they’ll win. If Lane Kiffin finds the holes to exploit the SC defense then his team wins a crucial road game. There’s a reason Ole Miss is a big favorite, so without knowing the complete injury status of Carolina’s top offensive stars, and with the belief that the Rebels correct their mistakes from last week, I’ll say Ole Miss 34,  South Carolina 26.

Kendall Smith: For the sake of making my brother mad (he’s an Ole Miss Law grad) I am taking South Carolina. I think they can learn a lot from the mistakes made by Ole Miss during the Kentucky game, they’ve had an extra week to prepare with the bye, and it’s October… Which has been pretty good to the Gamecocks in the past. They’ll need to start fast and there’s little room for error, but let’s go South Carolina 34, Ole Miss 31. 

Mike Uva: As the 2x defending GC staff pick ’em champ, I want to apologize for wasting everyone’s time with my awful start this year with my picks. I feel like Eddie Mush from a Bronx Tale. That’s why I’m picking Ole Miss today if you catch my drift. Ole Miss 28, South Carolina 24.

Jack Veltri: I just have a good feeling about the Gamecocks this weekend. This is gut check week for Ole Miss. The Rebels haven’t played a legit road game this year. I don’t think they’re ready for what’s to come at Willy-B. South Carolina 31, Ole Miss 28.

[Win two tickets to the South Carolina-Texas A&M football game]

Chris Wellbaum: Did Ole Miss’ loss to a Kentucky team that got destroyed by South Carolina expose the flaws that the Gamecocks can take advantage of? Or was it the wakeup call the Rebels needed?I have no idea so I’ll go with the reverse jinx. Ole Miss 29, South Carolina 20.

Kevin Miller: Ole Miss is hurting after losing to Kentucky last weekend, but South Carolina is hurting in a more literal sense. With injuries to key players still potentially slowing down the offense, the Gamecocks will have a difficult time scoring enough to keep up with a Rebels offense that surely will be much sharper than they were last week. Ole Miss has a few bumps and bruises that could be a factor, but specifics are hard to decipher with Lane Kiffin’s injury report shenanigans. USC’s results against a bad Akron team two weeks ago shouldn’t be valued too much as there is no comparison between the talent levels on the rosters. If the Gamecocks have a shot to pull off the minor upset over the Rebels, they will need some game-flipping plays from their defense and/or special teams units. However, it seems unlikely Lane Kiffin’s team will come out flat again, making things that much more difficult for the Gamecocks. In a contest that is close most of the way: Ole Miss 31, South Carolina 21.

	Boston College at Virginia	Missouri at Texas A&M	Navy at Air Force	Rutgers at Nebraska	Michigan at Washington	UCF at Florida	Miami (FL) at California	Texas Tech at Arizona
George Bagwell (24-21)	Virginia	Missouri	Navy	Rutgers	Washington	UCF	California	Arizona
Peyton Butt (25-20)	Boston College	Missouri	Navy	Nebraska	Washington	UCF	Miami	Arizona
Elijah Campbell (33-12)	Boston College	Texas A&M	Navy	Rutgers	Michigan	Florida	Miami	Arizona
Chris Clark (27-18)	Boston College	Missouri	Air Force	Nebraska	Michigan	UCF	Miami	Arizona
Terry Ford (34-11)	Boston College	Missouri	Navy	Nebraska	Michigan	Florida	Miami	Arizona
Griffin Goodwyn (31-14)	Boston College	Missouri	Navy	Nebraska	Washington	UCF	Miami	Arizona
Tyler Head (25-20)	Boston College	Texas A&M	Navy	Rutgers	Michigan	UCF	Miami	Arizona
Wes Mitchell (29-16)	Virginia	Missouri	Navy	Nebraska	Michigan	Florida	Miami	Arizona
Jay Philips (26-19)	Boston College	Texas A&M	Navy	Nebraska	Washington	Florida	Miami	Arizona
Kendall Smith (26-19)	Boston College	Missouri	Air Force	Nebraska	Michigan	Florida	Miami	Arizona
Mike Uva (27-18)	Boston College	Missouri	Navy	Nebraska	Washington	UCF	Miami	Arizona
Jack Veltri (28-17)	Boston College	Texas A&M	Navy	Rutgers	Washington	UCF	Miami	Arizona
Chris Wellbaum (29-16)	Boston College	Missouri	Navy	Nebraska	Michigan	UCF	California	Texas Tech
Kevin Miller	Boston College	Missouri	Navy	Nebraska	Michigan	Florida	Miami	Arizona

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