South Carolina Gamecocks vs the Tennessee Volunteers: Matchup Time

September 22, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks kicker Adam Yates (8) kicks a field goal against the Missouri Tigers as South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Seth Strickland (11) holds in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE

After playing against two of the best defenses in the SEC the past two weeks, the South Carolina Gamecocks welcome Tennessee’s 99th ranked defense to Columbia with open arms.

So what matchups will decide the game this week?

Special Teams

It’s not so much a matchup as it is an ultimatum. I’ve said it all year, and last week South Carolina’s special teams decided its season. Ironically, though, special teams scored all of the Gamecocks 11 points in Gainesville.

Still, horrible punts, a ton of fumbles from return men and a kickoff guy who can’t kick the ball into the endzone doomed South Carolina.

Tennessee should not beat the Gamecocks. But if Carolina’s least special unit turns in another subpar performance, the Vols could come out on top.

Connor Shaw vs UT’s Secondary

The Vols Secondary is giving up almost 260 yards passing per game.

We’re getting into the part of the schedule where Shaw caught fire last year.

If he doesn’t play well, you can bet there will be a quarterback controversy heading into Carolina’s game against Arkansas.

Bottom line: If Shaw can play at least as well as he did before the Georgia game, he should torch the Vol’s through the air with quick slants and play action. If he can’t, it’ll be hard for Carolina to get anything going offensively and everyone at Williams Brice not wearing orange will be in for a heart-stopping night.

Crazy Spurrier vs Sane Spurrier

Prior to the second half at LSU, Steve Spurrier was content, nay, ecstatic to let SC’s rushing attack outshine the passing game.

Up until his interview heading into the visitors locker room in LSU, things were looking good for SC’s offense.

Now, if the Gamecocks don’t gain enough yards on a few early runs, Spurrier takes to the air and doesn’t look back.

Whether Marcus Lattimore, Kenny Miles or Mike Davis is in the game, the Head Ball Coach HAS to stay loyal to the ground game. SC’s offensive linemen are better at run blocking than pass blocking, even if it’s not working well in the first half it wears opposing defensive lines down, and, most importantly, it’s how the Gamecocks won 11 games last year and got to the SEC Championship game the year before that.