SEC Nation crew shares picks for South Carolina-Texas A&M

South Carolina is one loss away from losing bowl eligibility. A tough test awaits the Gamecocks Saturday afternoon as they face off against the lone undefeated team in the SEC: the Texas A&M Aggies.

Kickoff will be at 12 p.m. on ESPN. Earlier in the day, the SEC Nation crew, live from Athens, Georgia, for Texas-Georgia, shared some of their thoughts and predictions for the Gamecocks’ matchup with the Aggie.

Laura Rutledge interviewed Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko from the sidelines during the SEC Nation telecast. Elko did not think that last year’s matchup against the Gamecocks in Columbia would have much swing for either team in this season’s game.

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“It’s a different year, it’s a different team,” Elko said. “I don’t know that it’ll give us any added advantage today. We’ve got to come out and play a really good football team, and we’ve got to be ready to play at our best.”

Elko also had praise for South Carolina’s starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers as well.

“Obviously, our ability to contain him is everything,” Elko said. “He’s capable of making plays with his arms and his legs, he’s the key in my opinion, how well we can contain him.”

Jordan Rodgers, former quarterback for Vanderbilt, had praise for Texas A&M’s offensive line prior to kickoff.

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“What was impressive last week was the boys up front, the Maroon Goons for Texas A&M,” Rodgers said. “They were facing Missouri’s pressure defense, which was number one in the country coming in. They only allowed six pressures all game, only one sack.”

Roman Harper, a former defensive back at Alabama, was concerned about South Carolina’s potential to block up front.

“My only concern is really ‘how does South Carolina protect LaNorris Sellers?'” Harper said. “He’s been sacked more than any other quarterback in the FBS, 33 times. Texas A&M has 34 sacks on the season, second in college football, so how does South Carolina create anything offensively against a Texas A&M team that is still motivated?”

South Carolina-Texas A&M Predictions

Tim Tebow: Texas A&M

Why Tebow picked Texas A&M: “Texas A&M, too complete. I think South Carolina, if they played at the level they played against Alabama, it could be a game. But they have to play their A-game, and A&M has to play a C-game.”

Jordan Rodgers: Texas A&M

Why Rodgers picked Texas A&M: “When you’ve got LaNorris Sellers on one side, he can change a game in a second. Dylan Stewart, Bryan Thomas as well, but A&M to your point, they’re too complete. They can beat you too many ways.”

Roman Harper: Texas A&M

Why Harper picked Texas A&M: “I like A&M, especially for their defense…Cashius Howell, free hurt today.”

Paul Finebaum: Texas A&M

Why Finebaum picked Texas A&M: “Not to pile on, but South Carolina has been one of the most disappointing teams in the SEC this year, and I don’t think they have anything left, quite frankly, to turn this thing around.”

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