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South Carolina’s timing for its Saturday game at Tennessee could be better.
The Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5 SEC) made a respectable effort on offense last week in a 35-28 loss at Texas A&M. But the Volunteers (4-4, 2-3) seem ready to make a late-season charge coming off a 52-21 victory over Kentucky.
The teams have split the last 10 games, each winning three at home.
South Carolina will depend on quarterbacks Perry Orth and Lorenzo Nunez to get the ball to versatile playmaker Pharoh Cooper and tough inside running by Brandon Wilds.
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR SOUTH CAROLINA
- WR Pharoh Cooper — The versatile playmaker, slowed this week by a thigh bruise, has 44 receptions for 609 yards and 4 TDs.
- LB Skai Moore — The Gamecocks’ top defenders leads the team with 83 tackles and has 4 interceptions.
- RB Brandon Wilds — Slowed by injuries throughout the season, Wilds has rushed for 428 yards, averaging 5.63 yards per carry.
- DL Darius English — The Gamecocks leader with 3.5 sacks must put pressure on Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs and help keep him from scrambling for yardage.
- CB Isaiah Johnson — The Gamecocks’ second-leading tackler may be forced to make open-field tackles on Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd.
