Tennessee and South Carolina are a combined 6-7, so this game is more about salvaging a season and a potential bowl bid than playing for some serious hardware.

Coming off a noteworthy win over Auburn, and a predictable thrashing by Alabama, this is a take-your-temperature game for the Vols. For South Carolina, this is a game that will reveal how it handles adjustments, given multiple problems throughout the season and a bye week to spend time on solutions.

The Vols (3-4, 1-3 SEC) and the Gamecocks (3-3, 2-3) will meet at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium on SEC Network.

Will Muschamp’s 6-0 record against Tennessee combined coaching Florida and South Carolina is among the most unusual stats around, and look for it to be shared often leading up to, and during the game. Whether that moves to 7-0 will depend on the following keys for the Gamecocks.

Here are 5 things South Carolina needs to do to beat Tennessee:

Deebo Samuel lands first 100-yard game

South Carolina’s star receiver has had a quiet season after a breakout year in 2017.

Samuel has just 4 touchdowns and has yet to record a 100-yard receiving game. He had 4 catches for 88 yards and a TD against Missouri, and three other games where he made 7 catches, but didn’t eclipse 60 yards. He has 33 catches, but is averaging less than 12 yards per catch. He needs to make a big play, and more than simple short-yardage catches that convert first downs.

Cut down on penalties

The Gamecocks improved in the penalty area against Texas A&M, but it was long overdue.

The four penalties were a far cry from most other games this season as they’ve had at least eight flags in four games. Ignore the total penalties (44). South Carolina has played two fewer games than some SEC teams. The 7.3 a game is 3rd-most in the SEC and a noticeable increase from last year’s 4.7 penalties per game.

Too often, they’ve been whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct, and been involved in after-the-whistle incidents that led to bad situations in field position and on the scoreboard. In a series that’s historically close, they can’t afford to give free yards to the Vols.

D.J. Wonnum needs to make an impact

The Gamecocks have missed their best pass rusher since he suffered a ligament injury in his leg against Coastal Carolina, but he’s set to return Saturday. They’ve also struggled with just 14 points off turnovers. They have just 10 sacks this season, which is second-to-last in the SEC. Wonnum alone last year had 6 sacks. Wonnum can help address all of those deficiencies.

Given the Vols’ suspect offensive line, look for Wonnum to make his presence felt, and give the offense something to celebrate from the sideline.

Muschamp needs a new wrinkle at quarterback

Jake Bentley often starts games overloaded on adrenaline, which leads to overthrows and other mistakes.

Even after not playing against Missouri, Bentley is still tied for the SEC lead with 7 interceptions, and he has thrown an interception in the first half of every SEC game this season. Under pressure from an impatient crowd, Muschamp could be forced to make a tough call. The coach gave a description about how turnovers could lead to that decision. Whether it’s Michael Scarnecchia or Dakereon Joyner, Muschamp needs to try something different at QB this week.

“Obviously ball security would be No. 1,” Muschamp said at his weekly press conference this week. “You’ve got to take care of the football. We’ve had three interceptions in the end zone. That’s something we can’t afford to have happen. You look at the point swing that we’ve had, turnovers in our red zone, or in the opponent’s red zone, is about a 52-point swing on our football team this year. That’s very difficult to overcome. So taking care of the football is No. 1 and just playing within what we’re trying to do.”

Bryan Edwards needs a punt return contribution

There have only been two punt returns for touchdowns in the SEC this year, but Edwards needs to add to those numbers and make people forget his uneven start to the season.

Edwards has been publicly critical of himself, and given the bye week, look for him to return re-focused and ready to make a play the Gamecocks haven’t seen all season. He’s averaging just eight yards a return and only has as many as two returns in two games this season.