Florida football: 5 South Carolina Gamecocks to watch Saturday

If Florida football has hopes of contending for the SEC East division, they have to start Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina.

There’s a big high running through Columbia, South Carolina and Florida football is going to have to contend with it.

No. 9 Florida will enter Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday as favorites, but the Gamecocks are coming off one of the biggest upsets of the year thus far after beating Georgia, 20-17 between the hedges.

Needless to say, the Gators will have their work cut out for them.

But, they need a win if they hope to keep pace with Missouri (and who thought after they lost to Wyoming, we’d be saying that?).

Here’s a look at five South Carolina Gamecocks’ players to watch Saturday afternoon.

T.J. Brunson, linebacker

South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson has the potential to give Florida football fits.

He’s currently second on the team in total tackles with 44 — including 2.5 for loss and three pass break-ups.

Since being coach Will Muschamp’s first recruit at South Carolina, Brunson has 250 tackles — 106 of those coming just last year.

He has 10 tackles against Georgia last week and was a disruptive force, throwing off Jake Fromm and the Bulldog offense.

Ryan Hilinski, quarterback

True freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski has been solid this season for the Gamecocks.

So far, he’s 103-for-164 with six touchdowns, three interceptions and 1,028 yards.

Not bad, but certainly not great.

Against Georgia, Hilinski was knocked out in the second half, giving way for Dakereon Joyner, but reports suggest Hilinski will be ready to play against Florida football.

All-in-all, Hilinski has been part of this true freshman quarterback craze but hasn’t necessarily delivered. Granted expectations in Columbia were significantly lowered after Jake Brantley went down for the season after the season-opener.

That said, Hilinski can be dangerous as he, like Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, doesn’t throw a lot of silly passes.

It could be an interesting test for the Gators.

Ernest Jones, linebacker

Sophomore MIKE linebacker Ernest Jones is the leading tackler for South Carolina this season with 50 tackles — 24 of which were solo. He also has an interception and 2.5 tackles for loss.

He is second in the Southeastern Conference in tackles and had 12 of those against Georgia last week.

Teamed up with Brunson makes a dangerous linebacker corps for the Gamecocks.

Expect both Jones and Brunson will make things a little difficult for Florida football receivers Saturday.

Israel Mukuamu, defensive back

Sophomore defensive back Israel Mukuamu made a big name for himself last week against the Bulldogs.

Following his performance, he was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, National/SEC Defensive Player of the Week selected by CollegeSportsMadness.com and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week (selected by the conference).

Why? I’m glad you asked.

Mukaumu had 11 tackles and three interceptions (that was all of them by Fromm) for 53 yards. At some point, you would think Fromm would throw to the other side of the field, but alas.

Now, last week could just be a flash in the pan for Mukaumu, but then again, it may not.

Rico Dowdle, running back

South Carolina running back Rico Dowdle had 79 yards on 12 carries last week against the Bulldogs.

Not a great game, but not bad.

On the season, Dowdle has 2,118 yards on 399 carries with 16 touchdowns, so he can be dangerous if given space.

Last week, the Florida football defense struggled against LSU’s running game without Jabari Zuniga and Jonathan Greenard on the edges. If they are out again Saturday, it could spell trouble.

Remember, No. 9 Florida will take on South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia at noon Saturday.