THE GOOD

61.9: Dylan Thompson’s quarterback rating last season against Missouri. The Gamecocks fell behind 17-0 with Thompson (and Maty Mauk) at quarterback, and it wasn’t until Connor Shaw entered the game that South Carolina was able to find traction on offense. With Markus Golden (hamstring) expected to play, Thompson must prove he’s able to make throws under duress against this Missouri defense.

123: Tackles linebacker Michael Scherer is on pace to make this season. It’s not quite on pace to challenge Travis McDonald’s team record (164 in 1994). The sophomore still needs to play more physical and make sure he’s in the right spots. But he’s getting closer to being a facsimile of Andrew Wilson each week.

23: Red zone trips South Carolina has allowed this season, most in the SEC. If ever Missouri’s offensive line needed a confidence boost against a ranked SEC opponent, the Gamecocks present the best opportunity.

THE BAD

66.0: Yards per game by South Carolina running back Mike Davis, the high water mark of any Gamecocks skill player. This is bad for SC and good for Missouri, but there aren’t a lot of intimidating stats for Steve Spurrier’s players right now on either side of the ball. Thompson’s 11/3 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio is it. (See what I did there? Double bonus.)

0: Consecutive games in which Missouri’s defense has forced at least one turnover. The 47-game streak is dead despite the graphic that the SEC Network inadvertently displayed in the second half after a turnover by Missouri’s offense. South Carolina has given the ball away a modest five times in four games. Can Mizzou start a new streak?

20: Wins by Gary Pinkel and Mizzou since joining the SEC. Why is this bad? Because Pinkel has 178 career wins as a head coach. Since most of those came in other conferences, he doesn’t get the respect he deserves. But Pinkel has more career wins than Nick Saban and every other coach in the conference with the exception of Steve Spurrier.