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Florida Gators vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: Party Poopers

The Florida Gators take on 19 South Carolina Today at Noon

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From the Associated Press

THE MATCHUP

Florida (5-4, 3-4 SEC) at No. 15 South Carolina (7-2, 5-2), Noon Saturday, CBS

Line: South Carolina by 3½

Series Record: Florida leads 23-5-3

WHAT'S AT STAKE

South Carolina needs to win to likely have any chance at returning to the SEC title game as Eastern Division champions. Even if the Gamecocks win, they'll need help from either of Georgia's remaining opponents (Auburn and Kentucky) to get to the Georgia Dome. Florida is trying to avoid losing a fifth SEC game for the first time since the 1979 Gators went 0-6 in the league.

KEY MATCHUP

Florida halfbacks Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps against South Carolina defense. Rainey and Demps, two of the SEC's most explosive players, have combined for eight touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards rushing. The Gamecocks are fifth in the SEC against the rush.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida: QB John Brantley. The fifth-year senior injured his right arm in last week's 26-21 win against Vanderbilt and missed practice Monday. But he's expected to play against the Gamecocks. Brantley has also dealt with an ankle injury this season.

South Carolina: WR Alshon Jeffery. South Carolina's star receiver has yet to break free this season after his record-setting sophomore year. This is Jeffery's final home game and, should the junior declare for the NFL draft, the last time he'll play at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Facts and Figurers

Florida has not lost back-to-back contests against South Carolina since World War II, losing in 1936 and 1939. ... The Gamecocks are seeking to finish a perfect 5-0 against SEC Eastern Division rivals for the first time since joining the league in 1992. ... Jeffery is 14 receiving yards away from South Carolina's all-time record, held by the late Kenny McKinley. ... South Carolina is the fifth ranked opponent faced by Florida coach Will Muschamp this year, the most ever by a first-year Gators coach.

 

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Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.