Here’s everything you need to know about the first-ever meeting between Texas A&M and South Carolina tonight on SEC Network.

When: Today
Where: Columbia, South Carolina
Game Time: 6 PM ET
TV: SEC Network
Current Line: South Carolina (-10.5)

Game Buzz: The SEC’s newest cross-division rivalry pits a pair of nationally-ranked teams in its first installment as the Gamecocks try and keep their 18-game home winning streak alive against Kevin Sumlin and the high-powered Aggies of Texas A&M.

Saturday Down South previews

No. 9 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Players to watch:

  • RB Mike Davis
  • QB Dylan Thompson
  • WR Pharoh Cooper
  • WR Shaq Roland
  • TE Jerrell Adams
  • OL A.J. Cann
  • DL J.T. Surratt
  • LB Skai Moore
  • CB Brison Williams

Freshmen to watch:

  • CB Al Harris Jr.
  • LB Bryson Allen-Williams
  • CB Chris Lammons

Keys for South Carolina:

  • Control tempo with a balanced run game. Mike Davis doesn’t need 30 carries in the season opener. There’s plenty of guys behind him — Brandon Wilds, Shon Carson and David Williams — that can split time and dominate the clock.
  • Dial up early blitzes on defense. Gamecocks defensive guru Lorenzo Ward must pressure first-year starting quarterback Kyle Allen on Texas A&M’s first offensive series. Forcing a quick turnover would make the Aggies think twice about throwing into coverage at a later point.
  • Don’t settle for field goals. It’s not in Spurrier’s make up to take three points when South Carolina’s facing a fourth-and-short in Texas A&M territory. The Aggies’ offense is too explosive to think a couple kicks are going to decide the outcome.
  • Feed off the energy provided by 80,000 plus on a hot night at Williams-Brice. The Gamecocks have won 18 straight games at their home ballpark and looked pretty good doing it, beating three previous ranked teams by an average of just over three touchdowns per contest.

Gamecocks’ glaring weakness to watch: Defensive Line — With just one returning starter following the departure of No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney and pass-rushing force Kelcy Quarles, it remains to be seen if South Carolina can get pressure with the current starting rotation.

Most interesting part of the game: Steve Spurrier’s 9-0 in season openers at South Carolina and No. 10 would be his 200th career win.

Team Buzz: On the heels of a third consecutive 11-2 season, it’s SEC Championship or bust for a team that’s had enough talent to win the league for several years but stumbled in their quest. The ultimate prize is a College Football Playoff berth post-Atlanta, but it all starts tonight in front of a national audience.

No. 21 TEXAS A&M AGGIES

Players to watch:

  • OL Cedric Ogbuehi
  • WR Malcome Kennedy
  • WR Ricky Seals-Jones
  • QB Kenny Hill
  • QB Kyle Allen
  • TE Cameron Clear
  • CB Deshazor Everett
  • LB Jordan Mastrogiovanni

Freshmen to watch:

  • DE Myles Garrett
  • WR Speedy Noil

Keys for Texas A&M:

  • Make sure Noil’s included in the game plan in all areas. The dynamic five-star freshman has the talent to be one of college football’s big-time immediate impact players and getting the ball in his hands should be a focus early in the contest.
  • Stop the Gamecocks on third down. South Carolina thrived in short-and-manageable situations last season with a mobile quarterback, but Thompson provides a perhaps more deadly downfield element with his arm. The Texas A&M defense must get pressure and be able to get off the field when given the opportunity.
  • Avoid three-and-outs. Falling down by multiple scores early cripples the Aggies’ chances at pulling off the upset.
  • Take chances. Conservative play-calling isn’t going to win a road game against a Top 10 team. Kevin Sumlin may have to reach into his bag of tricks in hopes of a crucial momentum swing.

Aggies’ glaring weakness to watch: Secondary — The Aggies gave up a SEC-worst 56 touchdowns last season and a lot of those came through the air after missed assignments in broken coverages. You can bet Spurrier’s noticed a weaknesses at the back end on film he thinks the Gamecocks will be able to exploit.

Key matchups:

  • Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill vs. hostile crowd: This sophomore’s first career start comes in front of a sellout environment where the Gamecocks haven’t lost in nearly three years. He’ll need to string together a couple early completions to shake off the jitters.
  • South Carolina running game vs. Texas A&M front seven: The Gamecocks’ main offensive weapon is Heisman candidate Mike Davis and if the Aggies can slow him down to make South Carolina one-dimensional, anything can happen. Ripping off first-down runs is the junior bruiser’s specialty and if the chains keep moving, Texas A&M’s front seven will be gassed in crunch time.

Most interesting part of the game: Texas A&M’s 10-2 in true road games under Sumlin, something to think about if the game’s close entering the fourth quarter.

Team Buzz: The Texas A&M fanbase is anxious to see what life after Johnny Manziel looks like and whether or not the Aggies can return to 2012 form backed by one of college football’s most feared offenses.