Florida football: All you need to know for today’s game at South Carolina

The expectation is that Florida football has a quick memory and gets over its loss last week at LSU because South Carolina is waiting … and hoping they don’t forget.

All things being equal, many in Gator Nation saw the Florida football game at South Carolina as just a blip between LSU and Georgia.

After last weekend, we’re all taking notice.

Following South Carolina’s upset of then-No. 3 Georgia, heading into Columbia today doesn’t seem all that easy of a task.

But, No. 9 Florida football needs the win to keep pace for the SEC East with Georgia waiting in Jacksonville after next week’s bye. Of course, we can’t forget about Missouri. The Tigers actually lead the East Division with games against Georgia and Florida upcoming.

The race is wide open for Atlanta and Florida football has some control over its destiny.

But, it all starts today … in Columbia against South Carolina.

Here’s all you need to know for today’s game:

Storylines

Florida: The No. 9 Gators are coming off their first loss of the season, at LSU. In it, Florida football hung with the Tigers for about three quarters — actually holding a 28-21 lead in the third — until the Gators wore down.

However, all is not lost for Florida as Georgia suffered a rare home loss (see below), leaving the SEC East still wide open.

The Gators may have to contend with a pair of its best defensive players — Jabari Zuniga and Jonathan Greenard — listed as game-time decisions. Nonetheless, the Gators would love a win, on the road, to give quarterback Kyle Trask his first road win as Florida quarterback.

South Carolina: As mentioned a few paragraphs ago, Georgia suffered a 20-17 double-overtime loss at home to South Carolina. It was more because of the Gamecocks’ defense and not so much about its offense.

Regardless, the win should put a spring in South Carolina’s step heading into its meeting with another top-10 team.

A win is big for head coach Will Muschamp. A loss could mean the Gamecocks’ win over Georgia is more about how marginal the Bulldogs really are and less about how much giant-killers South Carolina is.

Headlines

• 3 keys to beating South Carolina Saturday
• 5 Gators to watch against South Carolina
• The Gators defense vs. South Carolina’s offense
• South Carolina injury report for Saturday’s game with Florida
• Trask and Jones to be in sync Saturday against Gamecocks

Connections

Florida football head coach Dan Mullen faced off against South Carolina coach Will Muschamp when they were both coordinators in 2005 and 2006. Muschamp’s Auburn defense held Mullen’s Gator offense to under 20 points both years — wins for Auburn.

But, Mullen got the best of Muschamp when Mullen’s Mississippi State beat South Carolina, 27-14 in 2016 in Starkville.

Let’s not forget Muschamp was 28-21 as head coach for Florida from 2011-2014.

How to watch

• Time and Date: 12 p.m Saturday, Oct. 19
• Location: Williams-Brice Stadium (Columbia, South Carolina)
• TV: ESPN with Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy and Tom Luginbill.
• Radio: The Gator IMG Sports Network with Mick Hubert, Lee McGriff and Tate Casey.
• Satellite: Sirius Ch. 111/XM Ch. 207

The line

The last check of the betting line, Florida football is favored by five. Our Gator Gambler, Derek Taylor suggests taking the first-half under of 23.5 points. For his reason and more, click here.

The weather

Well, it seems the effects of Tropical Storm Nestor will be felt in Columbia at game time. According to The Weather Channel, it is going to be cool and rainy all day. Expect a high of around 62 degrees a little after kick-off. Rain will be off and on all day and could reach an inch in accumulation.

The Last Line

Like I said before if Florida wants to keep pace with Missouri and Georgia for the SEC East, today is a must-win. All the pieces are there. The offense is more physical and the defense — even if Greenard and Zuniga don’t play — should be able to get the job done.

The weather could be a factor here as rain is forecast all day in Columbia. It means the Gators’ running game needs to be front and center (as does the offensive line). That said, I think Trask and the passing attack can handle South Carolina’s dangerous secondary … as long as they play smart and not try anything silly.

No. 9 Florida football will kick off against South Carolina at noon today at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.