Here are five Vanderbilt players every South Carolina fan needs to know by Saturday:

  1. Ralph Webb (RB): If there’s one player on the Vanderbilt offense that can frustrate the Gamecocks it’s Webb, the team’s leading rusher and playmaker on a unit starved of returning talent. Webb’s a true freshman who has stiff armed Jerron Seymour, a junior coming off a 14-touchdown season, for the majority of the carries. Webb’s averaging 4.8 yards per tote and could help the Commodores keep South Carolina’s offense off the field with a big game in Nashville.
  2. Caleb Azubike (DL): Vanderbilt’s top individual defender missed the season opener due to disciplinary reasons but in two starts since, has recorded a team-best four sacks to go along with 14 total tackles. Slated to play at linebacker in Derek Mason’s new 3-4 look this fall, Azubike has since moved back to the defensive line to better utilize his skill set as a pass rusher. He can play at the first or second level and has enough speed to cover South Carolina tight end Busta Anderson in front of the sticks.
  3. Patton Robinette (QB): The Commodores have turned it over a league-leading nine times through three games, none coming from Saturday’s starting quarterback Patton Robinette. Mason revealed Wednesday that Robinette was held out of the Ole Miss game due to injury for his own good, but he’s back and ready to perform. Robinette’s arm strength is a question, but he can move unlike pocket passers on roster Stephen Rivers and Wade Freebeck. Short and manageable third downs is crucial to Vanderbilt’s success against a team-favored by three touchdowns.
  4. Adam Butler (DL): A load to handle at 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, Butler’s the run-stopper in the middle of Vanderbilt’s defensive line — its strongest unit based on personnel. He’s made at least three tackles in every start this season and batted down a Bo Wallace throw against Ole Miss. The Gamecocks will have to be mindful of where No. 69 is on the field at all times.
  5. C.J. Duncan (WR): He hasn’t crossed the goal line as a rookie, but Vanderbilt’s leading receiver averages an impressive 21.2 yards per catch and has the speed to burn a secondary that hasn’t performed up to expectations thus far.