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Can South Carolina (3-5) somehow break through the rough the lost season to come up with a huge win to get back on the bowl track? Can Tennessee (4-4) finally start to look like the team everyone was expecting it would be? Check out the South Carolina vs. Tennessee Game Preview and Prediction

South Carolina vs. Tennessee Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
Game Time: 4:00 pm
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

Network: SEC Network

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Why You Need To Care

Tennessee can’t seem to get on a roll, but this seems like a good place to start. The Vols overcame the loss to Alabama by obliterating Kentucky on the road 52-21, and now it’s time to finish out strong with three of the last four games at home with North Texas, at Missouri and Vanderbilt to close. For all the problems and with all of the disappointment, 8-4 wouldn’t be bad.

South Carolina has lost three of its last four games, but after this it gets three straight home games. One problem – actually, two – there’s Florida and Clemson still to face wrapped around a date with Citadel. The team played hard in the loss to Texas A&M, and while the offense isn’t special and the D isn’t stellar, there’s no quit.

Why South Carolina Will Win

The running game worked last week. It’s not a tough formula for the Gamecocks this season – run well, and they’re going to be in games. They tore off 254 yards on North Carolina and 216 against UCF, winning both games, and were terrific against Texas A&M with 253 yards and four scores. Can the O line generate the same sort of pop against the Tennessee D? The Vols, oddly enough, were outstanding against the Alabama running game, but allowed over five yards per carry in three of the last four games.

Why Tennessee Will Win

Yeah, South Carolina has simplified everything by using Brandon Wilds and going more to the pounding running style to try settling everything down, but there’s still a problem with the passing attack. The Gamecocks aren’t awful, but they’re not scaring anyone with anything downfield. The yards are fine, throwing for 180 or more in every game but the opener to North Carolina and the loss to Georgia, but it’s not enough. There’s no real threat when Pharoh Cooper isn’t making plays, and there are too many mistakes with seven interceptions over the last four games. Bottom line, South Carolina just isn’t dangerous enough.

Player Who Matters

Cooper is doing everything he can. The dynamic do-it-all Gamecock playmaker destroyed the Vols last year with 233 yards and two scores on 11 catches, and this year he’s been the passing game with three straight 100-yard games before getting held in check for 22 yards on four catches against the Aggies. Cooper was good last year, but Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs was better, running for 166 yards and three scores and throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns in the 45-42 Vol win.

What’s Going To Happen?

South Carolina hasn’t been bad since Ball Coach bailed. The simple plan of trying to get more physical should work just enough to keep this close, but Tennessee will make fewer mistakes and should get more pop out of the passing game. Don’t expect the crazy fireworks like last year, but it should be entertaining.

South Carolina vs. Tennessee Prediction

Final Score: Tennessee 34, South Carolina 23, Line: Tennessee -16.5, o/u: 56.5

Must See Rating:5: The Gospel According To Mac – 1: Supergirl … 3