No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 9 LSU Tigers: Preview, prediction, TV info
No. 3 South Carolina (6-0, 4-0 SEC) at No. 9 LSU (5-1, 1-1 SEC)
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: LSU by 2.5
Watchability: Easily the SEC's best matchup Saturday, this is arguably the nation's best. Steve Spurrier finally has a team that that looks capable of winning the school's first SEC title. LSU still controls its own destiny despite losing in Gainesville. Florida ran the ball on its last 25 plays against LSU, so the Tigers can expect a heavy dose of Marcus Lattimore and QB Connor Shaw on the zone read. LSU has scored one touchdown in its last three games against SEC opponents, but QB Zach Mettenberger told reporters: “I can assure you that all of our mistakes are correctable.” Added Tigers safety Eric Reid, ''It's a perfect situation. We had a tough loss, but at the same time, we can have a big win this Saturday.''
Shining stars: South Carolina: Lattimore has nine of the Gamecocks' 13 rushing TDs this season, and 11 career 100-yard rushing games. The junior, who's quickly putting his ACL tear behind him, often plays best against the toughest opposition. LSU: Kevin Minter. The junior linebacker made a school-record 17 solo tackles (among 20 total) in the loss at Florida. Minter added two sacks for 16 yards in losses and another tackle for loss, and he forced a fumble that was recovered and returned 25 yards by LB Kwon Alexander.
Who could steal the show: South Carolina: Jadeveon Clowney. The precocious sophomore DE, who even Spurrier acknowledges is a “three-year player,” discombobulated Georgia's offense. He has 11.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks, this season. He simply can't be blocked one-on-one. LSU: Odell Beckham. The explosive sophomore WR had a rough day in Gainesville, losing a critical fumble and showing inconsistent hands. But he averages 18.2 yards per catch and leads LSU with 20 receptions. Beckham should be highly motivated to atone for last week.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Saturday night in Death Valley vs. a marquee opponent? It doesn't get any better in college football.
Magic number for South Carolina: 10. South Carolina has won a school-record 10 straight games, the longest current FBS streak, and owns its highest ranking since starting 9-0 in 1984.
Magic number for LSU: 21. That's how many straight games LSU has won at Tiger Stadium, the longest current streak in the nation. The previous LSU record was 19, set from 2005-07.
The game comes down to: Injuries have ravaged LSU's offensive line. The Tigers finally met an opponent last week that took advantage as Florida held them to 42 rushing yards. To keep their national title hopes alive, the Tigers need to at least double that total Saturday.
Prediction: South Carolina 20, LSU 16
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
