Arkansas and South Carolina face off on Saturday in the SEC opener for each program.

The Gamecocks and Razorbacks are both building under newer coaches in hopes of reaching the same heights as some of their SEC brethren.

A win for either on Saturday would be yet another step in the right direction.

“They’re in the SEC West with teams that have won national championships in recent years,” said South Carolina coach Shane Beamer during Wednesday’s weekly SEC coaches teleconference. “We’re in the SEC East with a team that just won the national championship. … We as head coaches, Sam (Pittman) and I both, believe in these programs as well. … Sam and I believe in the same things when it comes to how we want our football teams to look.”

One of the Gamecocks’ key offensive weapons is Jaheim Bell. The 6-3, 232-pound junior is listed as a tight end but South Carolina uses him all over the field.

Bell caught 30 passes for 497 yards and 5 touchdowns last season and in Saturday’s win over Georgia State, in addition to catching 4 passes for 18 yards he also rushed 7 times for 39 yards.

“I think it’s game-to-game,” said Beamer when asked about Bell’s role. “Jaheim’s a guy who can do a lot of things. … Jaheim is a guy who is hard to bring down in the open field. One person rarely does. The more we can get the ball in his hands, the better.”

Beamer was also asked Wednesday about Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson, who’s a major threat both passing and rushing.

“He’s certainly dynamic,” Beamer said. “He’s got size. He made some throws on Saturday against Cincinnati. Because of his size, people have a hard time getting him down … he’s able to get himself out of trouble and throw downfield. He’s not always looking to run.”

South Carolina’s SEC opener at Arkansas is set for Noon (ET) on Saturday and will be televised by ESPN.