Saturday, Oct. 3, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla., noon ET
South Carolina Gamecocks
The Gamecocks got bad news when coach Will Muschamp announced that linebacker Sherrod Greene will be out 4-to-6 weeks with a broken hip sustained in last Saturday night’s 31-27 loss at Tennessee. Greene started nine games last year after coming off the bench the first three. He finished with 35 tackles with 6.5 for losses after being credited with 73 tackles as a starter in 2018.
Greene’s injury means a start for senior Damian Staley. The Gamecocks had issues running the ball against the Vols (89 yards) but graduate transfer Collin Hill threw for 290 yards in getting the start over returning starter Ryan Helinski. Hill was 25 of 39 with a pick and a touchdown. Veteran Shi Smith had a big night with 10 catches for 140 yards and the score. “I thought he played well,” Muschamp said. “He had a couple drops in my opinion.”
Florida Gators
The Gators have some work to do on defense after giving up 35 points to Ole Miss in their opener, but there’s no issues with the offense. The offense rolled to 51 points and 642 yards (196 rushing, 446 passing) against the beleaguered Rebels. That’s the most yards the Gators have ever racked up against a conference opponent. Kyle Trask had a huge day with 30 completions in 42 attempts for 416 yards and six touchdowns.
The 30 completions tied his career high, and the other figures were all career highs. It was the fifth time he has passed for 300 or more yards. Tight end Kyle Pitts was the beneficiary of most of Trask’s performance, tying a school record with four touchdown receptions. “He is a matchup nightmare for defenses,” Trask said of the 6-6 tight end. “He’s too big for cornerbacks and too fast for linebackers, so it gives defenses lots of trouble and that’s what you like to see.”
South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators Betting Pick
Trask threw for four touchdowns as the Gators won last year’s meeting with the Gamecocks 38-27. Three of his scores came in the fourth quarter as the Gators rallied from a 20-17 deficit. Ryan Helinski had a so-so day, completing 17 of 35 passes for 170 yards.
South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators Betting Pick: Gators (-18.5) 42, Gamecocks (+18.5.) 17
South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators Best Bet
The Gators have had to come from behind with late rallies in their last two wins over the Gamecocks, but coach Dan Mullen should have them rolling from the start in this one. Florida has dominated the series 28-9-3, but the two teams have split the last 10 meetings 5-5.
South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators Best Bet: Gators to COVER
