In preparation for Saturday’s conference opener between Missouri and South Carolina, Saturday Down South is taking a look at the key matchup that may decide the showdown between the Tigers and Gamecocks.

Missouri OL vs. South Carolina DL

Missouri’s offensive line, particularly run-blocking, may have been last on the list of concerns entering the season. Now it may be No. 1.

Thirteen times against Indiana, Marcus Murphy or Russell Hansbrough ran the ball for two yards or fewer. Eight carries lost yards. And the team didn’t look any better early before left guard Anthony Gatti tore his ACL. Connor McGovern hasn’t played all that well at right tackle, and moved back to right guard this week, where Mitch Hall hadn’t played all that well.

Evan Boehm looked like a high school center rather than one of the SEC’s best, and probably was a bit preoccupied with his wayward snaps.

Meanwhile, with Jadeveon Clowney and Kelcy Quarles gone, the Gamecocks defensive line no longer intimidates even the weakest SEC teams (see: Vanderbilt). Even last year, SC’s run defense wasn’t great, but it’s gone from eighth to 14th in the conference. The numbers aren’t good: 5.3 yards per carry, seven rushing touchdowns, 168.5 rushing yards per game.

The Gamecocks also are last in the SEC with just four sacks in four games. Defensive tackle J.T. Surratt, all 310 pounds of him, probably is the team’s best pass rusher and most disruptive player on the unit.

But can Missouri take advantage, or will the Gamecocks leverage the Tigers’ weakness to get better?

A number of factors contributed to a disappointing loss and a major upset at home against Indiana, but the offensive line’s poor play against a horrid defense probably was No. 1 on the list.

Indiana’s pass rush flushed Mauk from the pocket time and time again, largely by pile-driving the interior of the line into his space.

There are reasons to suspect Missouri will improve Saturday. McGovern seems more comfortable at guard, and sounded happy to move back, according to media reports this week. Brad McNulty at left guard won’t be as shellshocked coming off the bench in a surprisingly close game, and Boehm should return to normal.

Murphy and Hansbrough don’t require gaping holes or clear alleys to run with success. In basketball parlance, they’re playmakers, not off-ball shooters.

Maty Mauk is a good quarterback with the potential to be great. But at this point the team needs him to do less, not more. A more effective running game and better pass protection will maximize his ability and also cover for the lack of star power at receiver beyond Bud Sasser.

If Missouri wants to pull a road upset of its own, the reshuffled offensive line must play better. But the Gamecocks seem like a ripe opportunity to do so.