Two teams that appear headed in opposite directions meet at 4 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium with Missouri on a four-game losing streak, and South Carolina riding momentum from the program’s biggest win in years over Tennessee.

Missouri is looking to do what South Carolina did last week: Stop a losing skid. And while this might not be as much of a signature win as beating Tennessee, it would go a long way toward righting the ship as each are led by a defensive-minded first-year coach.

South Carolina just topped its win total from last year, and both teams are in the top five in the nation in starting true freshmen. The Gamecocks start seven, while the Tigers start four.

Who has the edge? We break it down.

When Missouri has the ball

Drew Lock vs. South Carolina pass defense: Like the team as a whole, Lock struggled in October. He was 59-for-126 for 707 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. By comparison, he passed for 14 TDs in September. Lock threw for 220 yards and two TDs against Kentucky, but the Tigers will need a big outing to stop the skid.

The Gamecocks have the second-best pass defense in the SEC, but that unit will be short-handed after D.J. Smith was ejected for a targeting call against Tennessee. He’s expected to miss the first half after fellow cornerback Chris Lammons, who was also ejected against Tennessee, returns after missing the second half last week. The shuffling will lead to more playing time for Jamarcus King, Rashad Fenton and Steven Montac.

EDGE: South Carolina

Damarea Crockett/Ish Witter vs. run defense: Crockett had a huge game against Middle Tennessee State but didn’t get going against Kentucky, with only 13 carries for 55 yards. Witter, meanwhile, had his worst game of the season with five carries for 11 yards against Kentucky. In four wins, South Carolina has held opponents to fewer than 170 rushing yards. The Gamecocks kept Tennessee in check last week with 37 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown.

EDGE: South Carolina

J’Mon Moore/Dimetrios Mason/Emanuel Hall vs. pass defense: Mason was a rare bright spot last week with his first two touchdowns for the Tigers. He previously had only topped 100 yards against Delaware State, but he had 101 yards on four catches against Kentucky. Moore has been in a slump the past four games with just seven catches and no touchdowns. All six of his touchdowns came against Delaware State and Georgia. The depth of the Gamecocks’ secondary will be tested, but it should hold up against the inconsistent Tigers.

EDGE: South Carolina

When South Carolina has the ball

Jake Bentley/Brandon McIlwain vs. Missouri pass defense: Despite being sacked six times, Bentley had another solid outing in the upset win over Tennessee. He was more efficient than his debut against UMass as he completed 75 percent of his passes against the Vols for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

Though he only had one carry against Tennessee, McIlwain remains a candidate to add a wrinkle to the offense in short yardage and goal-line situations. The Tigers recovered from the Middle Tennessee State debacle, but still stand 11th in the SEC in pass defense.

EDGE: South Carolina

Rico Dowdle/A.J. Turner/David Williams vs. run defense: The backfield has been a carousel for the Gamecocks, and the latest contributor is Dowdle, who had 27 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown. He also had 87 yards two weeks ago. Turner topped 100 yards against Texas A&M four games ago, but had just seven carries for 28 yards against Tennessee. The Tigers are last in the league in rush defense at 240 yards per game on average. Kentucky rang up 377 yards on 59 carries and three TDs against the Tigers.

EDGE: South Carolina

Hayden Hurst/Deebo Samuel/Bryan Edwards vs. pass defense: The Gamecocks have spread the wealth in the passing game, and even their top two receivers, tight end Hurst and Samuel, don’t have a TD catch yet. Edwards and K.C. Crosby have five of the team’s six TD catches. This could be an area where Missouri finds some success, but it’s difficult to key on four targets who have at least 17 catches this season.

EDGE: South Carolina

Special teams

Fielding punts has been a sore spot for the Gamecocks as they’ve had a revolving door at punt returner. South Carolina kicker Elliott Fry is one point from tying Collin Mackie for the South Carolina career scoring record. Last week he moved into 16th in SEC history for career scoring with 329 points.

Missouri’s Tucker McCann has only been asked to attempt two field goals in the past four games. Corey Fatony of Missouri is fourth in the league in punting averaging 44.3 yards per punt. Sean Kelly is eighth in the league at 41.6 per punt for the Gamecocks.

EDGE: South Carolina