The 4-4 Florida Gators head to the Cock Pit at Williams-Brice Stadium to take on the 4-4 South Carolina Gamecocks for the 42nd time in this rivalry match-up that dates to 1911. Fun fact: South Carolina is Florida's oldest rival, but these two teams did not meet regularly until SC joined the SEC in 1992. Florida is 29-3-9 all-time against the Cocks. The last two Gamecock coaches to defeat Florida were former Gator coaches: Will Muschamp in 2017 and Steve Spurrier in 2014, 2013, 2011, and 2010. This is Shane Beamer's first year as a head coach, and his second stint at SC with his first being the OLB, ST, and SC coach from 2007-2010 under Steve Spurrier. The Gators are favored by 18 and the O/U is 52.5.
Here is a summary of South Carolina's season so far:
Date | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|
09/04/21 | Eastern Illinois* | W 46–0 |
09/11/21 | at East Carolina* | W 20–17 |
09/18/21 | at No. 2 Georgia | L 13–40 |
09/25/21 | Kentucky | L 10–16 |
10/02/21 | Troy* | W 23–14 |
10/09/21 | at Tennessee | L 20–45 |
10/16/21 | Vanderbilt | W 21–20 |
10/23/21 | at No. 17 Texas A&M | L 14–44 |
The Cocks' best game was the season opener against powerhouse Eastern Illinois (1-8). They needed a field goal as time expired to get past East Carolina (4-4). The Cocks may have the same 4-4 record, but they got here very differently.
Here is a summary of the Gator's season so far:
Date | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|
09/04/21 | Florida Atlantic* | W 35–14 |
09/11/21 | at South Florida* | W 42–20 |
09/18/21 | No. 1 Alabama | L 29–31 |
09/25/21 | Tennessee | W 38–14 |
10/02/21 | at Kentucky | L 13–20 |
10/09/21 | Vanderbilt | W 42–0 |
10/16/21 | at LSU | L 42–49 |
10/30/21 | vs. No. 1 Georgia | L 7–34 |
The Gators are near the top of the league in giving the ball away. The Cocks are near the top of the league in taking the ball away. The Gators have one of the top rushing offenses. The Cocks have one of the worst rushing defenses. There really not much to say here. As long as the Gators take care of the ball this should be a 36-20 victory for the Gators.