First look at South Carolina’s next game, a home SEC showdown vs. Ole Miss

South Carolina’s football team comes off a bye week hoping it’s healed up and riding some momentum after a productive win against a MAC team.

Now the Gamecocks catch one of the best offenses in the country in Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin’s team was running hot until it twisted an ankle and toppled into a ditch against Kentucky.

SOUTH CAROLINA VS. OLE MISS GAME, TV INFO

• Who: South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC) vs. Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC)

• Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

• When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

• TV: ESPN

VEGAS ODDS, POINT SPREAD

The Gamecocks are 8.5-point underdogs against the Rebels, according to the VegasInsider consensus betting line. The over/under is 51.5 points.

LAST MEETING, TRENDS

Ole Miss took the last meeting 59-42 in Oxford in 2020, providing the final domino that ended the Will Muschamp era. The Gamecocks trail the overall series 9-7.

STATE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

South Carolina got its get-right game against Akron, whipping the Zips 50-7 despite playing a backup quarterback and losing tailback Rocket Sanders during the game to injury. That helped wash out some of the bad taste of a heartbreaking, tight loss to LSU the week before.

USC got to flex its depth and show off some of its diverse run game with a decided advantage in talent. Shane Beamer’s team rolled out several backup running backs, ended up playing three total quarterbacks and was able to let reserve defenders get in somewhat early in the game.

The biggest question this week is going to be one of health. South Carolina’s injury report coming out of the last game included Sanders and starting QB LaNorris Sellers, starting receiver Jared Brown and a useful linebacker in Bangally Kamara. If some of those guys aren’t back, it’s an issue.

State of the Ole Miss Rebels

Lane Kiffin’s squad was on a roll until the offense stalled out in a home upset loss to Kentucky. They came into that game ranked No. 6, then dropped to No. 12 in the latest Top 25.

This has been a big load-up year for the Rebels. They added a slew of big-time transfers, including top defensive tackle Walter Nolen (Texas A&M), All-SEC edge rusher Princely Umanmielen (from Florida), speedy tailback Henry Parrish Jr., productive Arkansas linebacker Chris Paul Jr. and former Gamecock receiver Juice Wells. Combined with some productive returning players, including QB Jaxson Dart, and a lot is expected in Oxford.

Wells had a less-than-graceful departure from Columbia, hardly playing at all last season. He’s been good early, but hasn’t put up a massive game as of yet. (Kentucky shut him out.)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers: The redshirt freshman missed the last game with a tweaked ankle. How well he comes back will be a big factor in what the Gamecocks can do through the air, though backup Robby Ashford can add something as a change-up. Sellers has thrown for 393 yards and run for 145 in three games.

South Carolina RB Rocket Sanders: Another injury case, Sanders had his ankle rolled up on against Akron. He’s been a horse to this point, taking basically every tailback carry in the first three games. Overall, he’s run for 286 yards and four scores in a bit more than three games.

South Carolina CB O’Donnell Fortune: Simply put, Ole Miss wants to throw it all over the field. Fortune is the team’s top cover corner, which likely means a matchup with either Wells or top receiver Tre Harris. Fortune has 13 tackles, one interception and two pass breakups on the season.

Ole Miss QB Jaxon Dart: He might be a bit empowered by his weapons, but he’s also the most productive passer in the SEC, orchestrating Kiffin’s offense well until tripping up against the Wildcats. He’s got 1,815 passing yards on the season, with 13 touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.

Ole Miss WR Tre Harris: The former Louisiana Tech pass catcher has been a bell cow for the Rebels’ passing game. His 49 catches are 33 more than any other Ole Miss player. He’s got more than 800 yards in five games. He’s hit 94 yards and eight catches every game, and Kiffin has a history of loading up touches on one receiver or back.