Here’s everything you need to know about South Carolina’s final home game of the season against South Alabama:

When: Today
Where: Columbia, S.C..
Game Time: 12 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN3
Current Line: South Carolina (-20.5)

Saturday Down South previews

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Players to watch:

  • QB Dylan Thompson
  • RB Mike Davis
  • RB Brandon Wilds
  • WR Pharoh Cooper
  • OL A.J. Cann
  • LB Skai Moore
  • DB T.J. Gurley
  • DB Brison Williams
  • K Elliott Fry

Keys for South Carolina:

  • Let Mike Davis do his thing. It’s an authentic Senior Day for quarterback Dylan Thompson, but junior tailback Mike Davis is also walking with the seniors in what’s expected to be his last home game at South Carolina. He’s 125 yards away from his second 1,000-yard season and is doing everything in his power to improve his draft stock in the final moments of his collegiate career.
  • Score points. Turnovers leading to scores. Big plays. Sustained drives. Field goals. Scoring points early puts pressure on three-touchdown underdog South Alabama and could lead to mistakes.

Defensive line: Mobile quarterbacks have given the Gamecocks fits this season and South Alabama flexes another one in Hunter Vaughn. Gap control’s essential this afternoon on Senior Day as well as tackling.

Bowl eligibility: A win ensures the Gamecocks of their seventh straight postseason trip, a product of sustained success under Steve Spurrier during his 10 seasons in Columbia.

Team Buzz: South Carolina partially turned its season around with a win at Florida last week, escaping defeat with a late blocked punt that led to an overtime victory, only the Gamecocks’ second-ever in Gainesville. Seven wins is now obtainable by beating South Alabama then winning the rivalry game next week at Clemson.

SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS

Players to watch:

  • QB Brandon Bridge
  • QB Hunter Vaughn
  • RB Kendall Houston
  • WR Shavarez Smith
  • LB Trrell Brigham
  • DE Theo Rich
  • DB Montell Garner

Keys for South Alabama:

  • Limiting big plays. South Carolina’s offense is quickstrike capable and the Jaguars are focused on making the Gamecocks earn it through clock-eating empty possessions. South Alabama’s scoring defense is 35th-best in the country at 23.1 points per game, one of the better unit the Gamecocks have played this season.
  • Third-down conversions. Through dual-threat quarterback Hunter Vaughn, the Jaguars feel they can have success on third down against one of the SEC’s worst defenses. Vaughn began the season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback but has since emerged as a playmaker on offense and will make his second consecutive start.
  • Get pressure on QB Dylan Thompson. Defensive end Theo Rich nearly has as many sacks (7) as South Carolina’s registered all season (9). Early pressure on the Gamecocks senior quarterback could make him antsy the rest of the way from the pocket.

Talent differential: South Alabama lost to Mississippi State by 32 points earlier this season, a glaring talent difference on both sides of the football. The Jaguars are up against a similar challenge this afternoon in Columbia, S.C., but should have opportunities to make it a game since South Carolina’s defense is vulnerable.