Staff picks: Florida at South Carolina, other key Week 7 games
South Carolina football is back from its bye week and heads into a vitally important game this weekend against Florida.
The Gamecocks need a win to avoid a two-game skid and falling to 2-4 on the year. Here’s how the GamecockCentral staff sees this game going plus a few predictions on other key games this weekend.
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Chris Clark: If this game were in Gainesville, the pick would be for the Gators. But this one’s in the friendly confines of Williams-Brice Stadium, where USC plays much better (and UF has struggled on the road). I think this is a tight one, but I’m going with Shane Beamer’s squad. South Carolina 28, Florida 24.
Terry Ford: Florida struggles on the road, BIG TIME…especially with defense and discipline. Coming off a bye with two weeks to prepare, the Gamecocks will do enough in all three phases to win a close game. South Carolina 26, Florida 24.
Griffin Goodwyn: Florida’s secondary will pose a challenge for Spencer Rattler and his receivers, as the Gators head into this matchup with the second-best pass defense (allowing 166.7 yards per game) in the SEC. However, Florida’s road woes are too glaring to ignore, and I think the crowd in Williams-Brice Stadium and Rattler’s on-field efforts will give South Carolina the advantage in a tight game. South Carolina 27, Florida 24.
Tyler Head: Florida’s road struggles are well documented, its offense is rooted in running the ball and they just haven’t been able to be successful with that away from The Swamp. Carolina needs to limit the ground game and force Mertz to try and beat them. South Carolina 26, Florida 23.
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Joe Macheca: South Carolina bounces back against a very flukey Florida team. The Gamecocks hold the lead in the second half and fix the mistakes they were missing against UGA. They have some fun on special teams for homecoming too. South Carolina 42, Florida 35.
Wes Mitchell: If this game was in Florida, I’d probably go with the Gators, but it’s not which means that South Carolina should have the edge. The Gators have two really good running backs but don’t have the run-threat at the quarterback position that they did last year and have had their own share of issues on the offensive line. Both teams could really use a win and the pressure will mount on whichever team starts slow. I like the Gamecocks at home. South Carolina 30, Florida 22
Jay Philips: After turning a couple of corners against Georgia and Mississippi State, the Gamecocks hit a wall in Knoxville. The Vols ability to run meant Joe Milton didn’t have to do much for UT, and I believe Florida will look to do the same things offensively. Considering how the Gators beat Tennessee, and were then smacked around by UK, I have no idea who they really are. Carolina needs to establish the ground game early, get Rattler going and then do all they can to force UF to throw. Keeping the crowd engaged is also crucial. I expect another tight game. South Carolina 30, Florida 24.
Kendall Smith: A much-needed week off will bring a sense of refreshment to South Carolina, plus being at home helps. I think it will be close, but give me the Gamecocks over the Gators. South Carolina 30, Florida 24.
Collyn Taylor: South Carolina has typically been good at home under Shane Beamer and really good off of bye weeks. Florida is bad on the road under Billy Napier. The Gamecocks should be able to put some points up. The next step is stopping Florida’s run game. If they do, then it should be a South Carolina win. This game has some weirdness potential, and I think it gets weird but a late field goal wins this for the Gamecocks. South Carolina 25, Florida 23.
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Mike Uva: The good news is, if South Carolina loses you can always go across the street to the State Fair to buy a corn dog. But hopefully, an extra week to not only get healthier but to also tweak some of USC’s constant issues will have them playing their best so you won’t have to do that… unless corn dogs are just your thing. South Carolina 27, Florida 20.
Jack Veltri: In the Beamer era, South Carolina is 2-0 coming out of the bye week. I expect much of the same against Florida this weekend. The Gamecocks are going to be locked in as ever and ready to roll, especially at home. Florida embarrassed South Carolina last year. And I know the players have said that the game is not on their minds. But I fully anticipate the Gamecocks to try to light the scoreboard up if the opportunity is there. South Carolina 26, Florida 21.
Chris Wellbaum: Two Jekyll and Hyde teams. Florida can’t stop the run, but South Carolina can’t run so it’s still a wash. I’m taking USC because going with Florida would mean picking Graham Mertz over Spencer Rattler. South Carolina 26, Florida 22.
| Tulane at Memphis | Iowa St. at Cincinnati | Oregon at Washington | Troy at Army | Texas A&M at Tennessee | Wyoming at Air Force | Southern Cal at Notre Dame | UCLA at Oregon St. | |
| Chris Clark (35-19) | Memphis | Cincinnati | Washington | Troy | Texas A&M | Air Force | Southern Cal | Oregon St. |
| Terry Ford (33-21) | Memphis | Iowa St. | Oregon | Troy | Tennessee | Air Force | Notre Dame | Oregon St. |
| Griffin Goodwyn (38-16) | Tulane | Cincinnati | Washington | Troy | Tennessee | Air Force | Southern Cal | Oregon St. |
| Tyler Head (30-24) | Tulane | Iowa St. | Washington | Troy | Texas A&M | Air Force | Notre Dame | Oregon St. |
| Joe Macheca (32-22) | Memphis | Iowa St. | Washington | Army | Tennessee | Air Force | Notre Dame | Oregon St. |
| Wes Mitchell (40-14) | Tulane | Cincinnati | Oregon | Troy | Tennessee | Air Force | Southern Cal | Oregon St. |
| Jay Philips (38-16) | Tulane | Iowa St. | Washington | Army | Tennessee | Air Force | Southern Cal | Oregon St. |
| Kendall Smith (34-20) | Tulane | Cincinnati | Oregon | Troy | Tennessee | Air Force | Southern Cal | Oregon St. |
| Collyn Taylor (26-28) | Tulane | Iowa St. | Washington | Troy | Texas A&M | Air Force | Notre Dame | Oregon St. |
| Mike Uva (39-15) | Memphis | Cincinnati | Oregon | Troy | Tennessee | Air Force | Notre Dame | Oregon St. |
| Jack Veltri (30-24) | Tulane | Cincinnati | Washington | Troy | Tennessee | Air Force | Southern Cal | Oregon St. |
| Chris Wellbaum (31-23) | Tulane | Cincinnati | Washington | Troy | Tennessee | Wyoming | Notre Dame | Oregon St. |
