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SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know about East Carolina vs South Carolina

By Brad Crawford

Published: Sep 6, 2014 · 1:45 PM EDT

Here’s everything you need to know about South Carolina’s home bout with East Carolina tonight on ESPNU.

When: Today
Where: Columbia, S.C.
Game Time: 7 PM ET
TV: ESPNU

Current Line: South Carolina by 16.5

Game Buzz: The preseason SEC East Division favorite Gamecocks lost for the first time in 19 games at home on Aug. 28, a humiliating 24-point setback to No. 21 Texas A&M. South Carolina gave up a school-record 680 yards of total offense and trailed from the start. Coming off another 11-2 season, the Gamecocks are hoping to shake off a surprising setback and return to their run-geared dominance that’s helped Steve Spurrier’s team finish in the Top 10 three straight years. East Carolina’s directed by a talented senior quarterback in Shane Carden who led the Pirates to their second double-digit win season in 2013.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH NEWS & PREVIEWS

No. 21 South Carolina

Players to watch:

QB No. 17 Dylan Thompson
WR No. 1 Damiere Byrd
WR No. 4 Shaq Roland
RB No. 28 Mike Davis
CB No. 1 Rico McWilliams
DE No. 5 Darius English
DT No. 92 Gerald Dixon Jr.

Freshmen to watch:

LB No. 4 Bryson Allen-Williams
RB No. 33 David Williams (RS)
OL No. 70 Alan Knott (RS)

Keys for No. 21 South Carolina:

• Win the battle up front. The Gamecocks were bruised and beaten at the point of attack their last time out on both sides of the ball, knocked to the canvas by a Texas A&M squad that played with poise and confidence against a perceived national title contender. South Carolina’s veteran-led offensive had several holes and never manufactured a strong push at the snap. Defensive line play was also an issue as Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill was rarely touched inside the pocket, going down just once via sack.

• Don’t deviate from the game plan. Some could argue Spurrier crippled his team in the opener by going away from the primary clock-eating run scheme that has worked out well for the Gamecocks in recent years. Pressed to play well after an early 10-point deficit, South Carolina was forced out of its comfort zone offensively and tried to score points in a hurry. The result was frustrating for the 80,000 plus in attendance.

• Get off the field on third down. East Carolina’s short, quick passing game can be a nightmare for teams that can’t tackle. South Carolina struggled in that regard against a similar offense in Week 1, giving up 12 first downs on 17 third-down tries. An inexperienced secondary needs time to catch its breath, especially when trying to defend East Carolina’s bevy of veteran wideouts.

South Carolina’s glaring weakness to watch: Mojo. Texas A&M’s blowout victory inside Williams-Brice last week sucked the life out of a program that had won 18 straight games at home and hadn’t lost a season opener in Spurrier’s tenure. With a Top 10 ranking demolished, the Gamecocks need to get back on the right foot before next week’s pivotal game against Georgia.

Most interesting part of the game: Redshirt freshman tailback David Williams, South Carolina’s second-fastest player behind senior wide receiver Damiere Byrd, is scheduled to make his debut in a crowded backfield according to Spurrier. Williams is a four-star talent from Philadelphia with a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism. He could play an important factor if Mike Davis is not 100 percent.

East Carolina

Players to watch:

WR No. 2 Justin Hardy
WR No. 9 Cam Worthy
QB No. 5 Shane Carden
LB No. 48 Maurice Falls
LB No. 44 Zeek Bigger

Keys for East Carolina:

• Avoid turnovers. Over the last two meetings between the Gamecocks and Pirates, East Carolina’s turned it over 10 times to South Carolina’s five. Turnover margin is always a crucial stat for double-digit underdogs.

• Get the ball in the hands of Justin Hardy and Isaiah Jones. East Carolina’s pass-catching duo combined for 18 catches, 237 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over North Carolina Central and matches up well athletically with the Gamecocks’ youth-laden group of defensive backs. South Carolina senior corner Brison Williams has a sore forearm which could be an issue when he’s in on tackles.

Most interesting part of the game: Two years after making his first appearance for the Pirates at Williams-Brice Stadium, Carden returns to the venue for revenge as a multi-year starter.

Team Buzz: East Carolina’s investing a ton into this matchup judging by coach Ruffin McNeill’s eccentric comments on the Paul Finebaum Show on Thursday. A 10-win team last season with a slew of returning starters, the Pirates are anxious to impress and feel they have enough talent to make some noise at the end of the season as a non-Power 5 competitor. A marquee win over the Gamecocks would be an impressive one for poll voters.

Key matchup
• East Carolina QB Shane Carden vs. South Carolina’s secondary. Expect the Pirates to take a couple early shots after picking up a few things on film. Coverages could be altered this week by Lorenzo Ward after Texas A&M exploited several weak areas at the back end. The Gamecocks played 5-7 yards off the line of scrimmage against the Aggies, but man-to-man could be an option in this one.

Brad Crawford