:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44190604/usa-today-8149077.0.jpg)
For the first time in a while, it seems as though South Carolina will be riding some momentum heading into a game. The thrilling victory over Florida last week is the kind of win, although very late, that could change a season.
For the second time this year, the Gamecocks are going to be heavily favored to crush an opponent. While the Jaguars of South Alabama should prove more difficult to defeat than Furman, South Carolina fans should expect to see a lot of backups get some action today.
This marks the last home game for a large group of South Carolina players, and of the 2014 season, so the atmosphere should be nothing short of electric even with a Sun Belt team visiting.
How to witness
Kickoff
12:00 p.m. ET, Williams Brice Stadium (Columbia, SC)
Television broadcast
Channel: FSN/ESPN3
Play-by-play: Bob Rathbun
Analysis: Tim Couch
Sideline: Olivia Harlan
Radio broadcast
Channel: Gamecock IMG Sports Network
Play-by-play: Todd Ellis
Analysis: Tommy Suggs
Sideline: Langston Moore
The numbers
Rankings and records: South Carolina is 5-5 (3-5) and is unranked in both the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. South Alabama is 6-4 (5-3), and is also unranked in both polls.
Vegas: South Carolina is a 25 point favorite.
Weather forecast: Upper 50's, Sunny.
What's at stake
With the win against Florida last week, a victory Saturday means South Carolina will extend is bowl streak. Given that this season has gone anything but according to plan, securing a bowl birth seems like a fairly big accomplishment. While a major bowl is certainly out of the question, a 7-5 record with a ton of momentum would make USC a pretty decent option for bowl selectors.
Two big matchups
Mike Davis vs. South Alabama Defensive Line: In what could very well be the last home game for Mike Davis, expect him to deal a lot of damage against the Jaguar defense. Davis hasn't topped 100 yards rushing in a game since mid-October, so expect Spurrier to give him every opportunity to impress the fans at Williams-Brice one last time.
South Alabama Passing Attack vs. South Carolina Secondary: Assuming South Carolina is able to take control of this game early, the Jaguars figure to be throwing it a lot today. Fortunately for USC, South Alabama is a pretty terrible passing team, ranking 10th in the Sun Belt in passing yards. Don't be shocked if Brison Williams and Sharrod Golightly go out with a bang.