Click Here for the Post & Cocky Preview Show: Auburn at South Carolina
The No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0, 2-0) will welcome the defending national champion Auburn Tigers (3-1, 1-0) to Williams Brice Stadium Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET for a rematch of last year's SEC Championship Game.
Auburn defeated South Carolina twice last year, 35-27 at Auburn in week four and again 56-17 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the SEC Championship in a game which Cam Newton torched Carolina's defense for six total touchdowns.
Unfortunately for Auburn, they've found it difficult to compete without the services of their Heisman Trophy winner.
In week one, Auburn needed a late charge, including an onside kick late in the 4th quarter, to defeat Utah State. In week two, they played their best game so far, beating then-No. 16 Mississippi State in a shootout 41-34. Week three featured Auburn's first loss since 2009 where they were defeated by the Clemson Tigers 38-24. Last week, the Tigers gave up over 300 yards of total offense to the FAU Owls in a 30-14 win.
Auburn's defense is ranked near the bottom in all defensive statistical categories in the SEC and they are ranked 92nd in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 31 points per game.
"They've struggled. There's no question about that," said Head Coach Steve Spurrier on Tuesday. "I think they returned one or two starters on defense, maybe three. They've proven they can turn it around. Our defense was struggling until last week. We were struggling, but last week we put it together. Who knows how our offense will play against them, but it's true they've not played well defensively. They know that and I'm sure they'll try to get better."
On offense, Auburn returns the running back tandem of Michael Dyer and Ontario McCalebb, who helped Auburn rush for over 130 yards last week against FAU.
"He's a good running back," Spurrier said of Dyer. "He's one of the best in the conference, in the country. They're going to run him a bunch. We know that. They'll run him a lot more than certainly they did last year with Cam Newton back there. Dyer is their main guy. We have to stop him, and stop the run game no matter who you play."
Auburn is also 10th in the nation in kick return yardage, which has helped them to give good field position to their offense that is averaging 34.3 points per game, good for 43rd nationally.
South Carolina is coming off of their best defensive game of the season, a 21-3 win over previously unbeaten Vanderbilt (3-1, 0-1).
Jadeveon Clowney forced two fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Melvin Ingram had four total tackles including two sacks and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Antonio Allen had a fumble recovery and Devin Taylor also recorded a sack for the Gamecock defense, who held Vanderbilt to only 77 total yards of offense.
"Antonio, he and Melvin, balls are attracted to them right now," said Spurrier. "They have a knack of running into the balls. That play the other night was interesting. Clowney knocked it out, Antonio scoops it up, Melvin is chasing and he fumbles it to Melvin. We've got some playmakers on defense, there's no question about that. Hopefully that will continue throughout the year. Antonio is an excellent pass rusher also. We haven't used him much yet. I'm sure we'll sneak him in and use him in that occasion."
Carolina's offense, however, was a different story. QB Stephen Garcia struggled throughout the night, ending the game with four interceptions. The bulk of the offensive output came through a jump ball that was deflected to Ace Sanders on a ball thrown into coverage and a screen play that went 52 yards to Marcus Lattimore before halftime.
"When a quarterback and the offense struggles, the offensive coordinator, the quarterback coach, the offensive line coach, the receivers coach, we all struggle," said Spurrier. "We're all a big part of whatever happens with the offense. That's why I don't think many of us were very happy last week because our phase of the game didn't perform well."
South Carolina will feature their "Wounded Warrior" uniforms this Saturday against Auburn. The last time the Gamecocks wore these style of uniforms was against No. 1 Florida back in 2009 in a 24-14 loss. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game and all proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Prediction:
#10 South Carolina 42 Auburn 31
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