South Carolina football vs. Florida: Score prediction, scouting report

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football faces its third straight SEC East rival this week and will look to pick up an elusive seventh regular-season win against Florida before ending the year on difficult matchups with Tennessee and Clemson.

The Gamecocks (6-3, 3-3 SEC) take on the Gators (5-4, 2-4) in Gainesville on Saturday (4 p.m., SEC Network) coming off of a key 38-27 victory over Vanderbilt in Week 10. South Carolina put together one of its most dominant wins over Florida, 40-17, in 2021, but the Gators lead the all-time series 29-10-3. The Gamecocks have closed the gap over the last decade, trailing just 6-4 since 2011.

Here's everything you need to know about the matchup:

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Florida's home field advantage

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, famously nicknamed "The Swamp" by former Florida and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, is one of the most difficult places to play in the SEC. The Gamecocks have not won in Gainesville since 2014 and have only won twice there in the history of the series. It's not just a South Carolina problem, either. Florida is 4-2 at The Swamp this season and has outscored opponents, 7,790 to 3,363 in 207 games at home since 1990.

South Carolina has enjoyed a sold-out home crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium for every Saturday game this season, and this week it will entire a similar atmosphere — just a hostile one. The Gators set an attendance record with 90,799 fans in Week 1 against Utah, and they have an average attendance this season of 86,801. The Gamecocks are averaging 75,243.

Containing Anthony Richardson

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is ranked among the top QB prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft for a reason. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound sophomore is one of the most tantalizing dual-threats in the conference, with 492 yards, and eight touchdowns rushing and 1,839 yards and nine touchdowns passing. He also plays behind a strong offensive line that has given up just 10 sacks, tied for third-best in the SEC.

When Richardson is on, he's practically unstoppable. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Gators past Utah in Week 1 with 168 passing yards, 106 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. He excels in creating explosive plays, rushing for an 81-yard touchdown two weeks ago against LSU and completing a 78-yard passing touchdown the following game against Georgia's punishing defense.

However, the sophomore has been inconsistent, following up his shining Week 1 performance with two mediocre ones in a loss to Kentucky and narrow win over South Florida. He is third in the conference in interceptions with seven and 12th among 14 SEC quarterbacks in QB rating.

Exploiting the Gators' weak defense

South Carolina had one of its most productive offensive performances of the season against Vanderbilt last week, and Florida's defense is only marginally better than the Commodores. The Gators are giving up nearly 30 points per game and struggles badly against the pass, allowing 256 yards per game through the air. They are marginally better against the run, with an average of 185 yards allowed.

At Vanderbilt, the Gamecocks succeeded by heavily utilizing their best players — not a groundbreaking idea, but an effective one. Quarterback Spencer Rattler finished 16-for-23 passing for 186 yards and a season-best three touchdowns. Star tight end Jaheim Bell had 19 touches after getting zero the week prior. The team called several trick plays for Dakereon Joyner, the hero of last year's Duke's Mayo Bowl win, at quarterback.

Will Marshawn Lloyd play?

The Gamecocks didn't have many issues against Vanderbilt despite Lloyd being ruled out with a quad contusion suffered against Missouri, but they'll need the star running back more against an opponent like Florida. Lloyd is South Carolina's leading scorer with 11 total touchdowns, 556 rushing yards and 173 receiving yards.

Lloyd is questionable to play Saturday and was limited in practice early in the week according to South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, but the team is optimistic that he will be available on game day.

"He’s an impressive player,” Florida coach Billy Napier said of Lloyd this week. "He’s got great make-you-miss, finishing speed. He’s heavy, got some vision to him ... He’s a big part of what they do.”

South Carolina vs. Florida score prediction

Florida 35, South Carolina 27: South Carolina struggles again against a mobile quarterback, but the offense finds holes like they did against Vanderbilt. This turns into a shootout quickly, but the roar of The Swamp pushes the Gators over the top.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football vs. Florida: Score prediction, scouting report