South Carolina is heading into a crucial game as the Gamecocks are set to host Tennessee for the final home conference game of the season. Coming off a bye week, Will Muschamp’s team is 3-3 with three SEC opponents and a trip to Clemson remaining as the marquee games on the slate.

Muschamp met with the media on Tuesday to share the latest on his team as they have begun prep in anticipation for facing the Volunteers in Columbia on Saturday.

Here are the highlights of what Muschamp had to say:

  • South Carolina will be prepping to face both of Tennessee’s quarterbacks this week
  • Injury update: DJ Wonnum practiced today, he’s ready to go. AJ Turner will be cleared for Saturday. Nick Harvey and J.T. Ibe are both out.
  • on dropped passes by his receivers: The bottom line is we have to secure it to the tuck, as far as catching the football is concerned. Obviously, at times, we are trying to catch the ball and look ahead downfield and you gotta secure the catch first… Guys are on the juggs machine more. Those guys are talented, they’ve done well before. They know they need to play better for us.
  • on the rumors of a 12th game: I’m very confident we will be playing December 1st, I don’t know about who. That’s a question for (AD) Tanner, I’ll let him handle that.
  • on the SEC East’s improvements: First, that goes to QBs returning. Everyone outside of Kentucky has their QB returning. That helps when you go on the road, in order to play well. That’s a common factor. Kentucky has 14 senior starters. Georgia is a very talented team. Kyle Shurmur is an excellent player. Drew Lock is a talent, you’ll see that (in the upcoming NFL Draft).
  • Do players mention the criticism they get on social media to you? No, that’s part of it. We have high expectations, too. Our players have tremendously high expectations, we do as a staff, we do as a program and we know where we are headed. At the end of the day, that’s part of having a championship culture, criticism. That’s part of it.
  • on Jake Bentley getting healthy: I wouldn’t say he was 100 percent in our last game. I certainly see him more mobile in the off week and today, as opposed to before.
  • on the Tennessee series: They’ve always been closely contested games in our first two seasons. There’s no doubt it will be a great environment here at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night. I don’t know who’s keeping the clock on the field. They got about 12 plays in three seconds last year, that was unusual.
  • on where Jake Bentley can improve: Just play within what he’s asked to do. That’s one thing, when you are a competitor and playing in the moment and doing what we are asking you to do, from a read standpoint. Taking the ball to the right spots. Obviously, ball security would be No. 1. Got to take care of the football. We’ve had three interceptions in the end zone. That’s something we can’t allow to happen. The point swing we’ve had is a 52-point swing. That’s very difficult to overcome.
  • on issues of potential concern facing Tennessee: Their receiving corps is a very talented group. Very big group, when you are talking Jennings and Callaway are both 6-3-plus. They do a good job of catching the football down the field. Guarantano has done a nice job of throwing the vertical ball down the field. Chryst did a nice job when he was in the game against Alabama… Those are the biggest issues going into the game.
  • on Tennessee’s defensive backs: I think they are active. Nigel is the guy that jumps out to me, he’s an active safety in man coverage. Does a really nice job. They are young at the corner position but talented. I think Jeremy, that’s his background coaching the secondary and just watching their techniques and the similar (coaching) tree that he comes from, and I come from, and there’s a lot of similarities that carry over that you see.
  • on Bryce Thompson: “He’s playing really well for them. He’s got two interceptions on the year. Starting for them, he’s playing really well for them. I’m really happy for Bryce.”
  • Is it awkward at all facing him following his recruitment? “No. I’m happy for Bryce. He did an outstanding job here in Columbia at Dutch Fork High School and he’s having a great start to his career at Tennessee. I’m really happy for him.”
  • on what there is to play for sitting at 3-3 on the season? We’ve not had one discussion on that. We’ve had great practices, there’s not been one moment where I’ve wondered about the motivation about this football team. There really hasn’t been, to be honest with you.