South Carolina and head coach Will Muschamp have a tough task ahead of themselves this weekend — as it hosts a battered and bruised Tennessee squad.

While the Volunteers certainly aren’t near full-strength from a health standpoint, they are a dangerous squad. Next to Clemson, Tennessee may be the most-talented team the Gamecocks will play all season long.

Muschamp spoke Wednesday during the weekly SEC teleconference. When asked about how he’d compare this current Tennessee team to his former Florida squads, he didn’t hold back:

“When you turn the tape on, you look for difference makers. Dobbs, Malone, Byrd, big up front, have depth up front. Barnett jumps out to you immediately. When you say difference makers, they have brought them in.”

Barnett has fortified himself as one of the best defensive ends in the entire country. With South Carolina possessing two freshmen (and inexperienced) quarterbacks in Jake Bentley and Brandon McIlwain, it’ll be incumbent upon the Gamecocks to protect both signal-callers.

This could including utilizing a blocking tight end on Barnett’s side of the line, or even using a running back to ‘chip’ the gifted pass-rusher.

As for Dobbs, South Carolina may have to spy using a linebacker. Dobbs has the ability to scramble when the play breaks down. In these situations, he’s at his best.