A former SEC rivalry gets renewed this week, as the No. 11 Tennessee Vols go on the road to face the South Carolina Gamecocks this weekend in Columbia. The Vols enter this game coming off of a huge upset victory, defeating Alabama 26-10 at home.
The Gamecocks, who are coming off of a bye week, played well two weeks ago against the Florida Gators, especially on defense. Speaking during his weekly press conference, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel had high praise for Shane Beamer's defense.
“Extremely athletic on the edges," Heupel said via Gamecock Central. "Not just Dylan[ Stewart], but their edges have the ability to make a dramatic impact on the football game. That’s in the run game, it’s in the pass game, obviously, the ability to apply pressure to the quarterback. They’ve been really good against the run — not giving up many yards, not giving up many yards per carry. It’ll be another big test for us up front.”
Heupel is spot-on regarding South Carolina's defense, especially the Gamecocks ability to defend the run. The Gamecocks rank 25th overall in run defense, allowing just 103.67 yards on the ground all game.
Stopping the run will be key for a South Carolina victory
Tennessee has been able to rely on its ground game to win games, especially in the last three weeks. During the Vols' 26-10 upset win over Alabama, Vol running back DeSean Bishop had 159 yards and two touchdowns, averaging five yards per carry.
Earlier this season during Tennessee's 24-14 victory over Auburn at home on Oct. 3, Bishop had his best game of the season, getting 220 yards on the ground with three scores. He's found the end zone in each of Tennessee's three straight games, as well.
Behind Bishop, Tennessee has also used Daune Morris in the run game. So far this season he has 344 yards on 58 carries with three touchdowns.
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The Vols' rushing offense ranks inside the Top-20 in the nation, averaging 217 yards on the ground per game.
If South Carolina can shut down Tennessee's run game, that could be key for a Gamecock victory. Heupel has yet to name a starting quarterback between freshman Faizon Brandon, who started earlier this season in Knoxville, or his backup, George MacIntyre.
In the last two weeks, MacIntyre has thrown for 444 yards with just one touchdown and three interceptions. Forcing Tennessee to have to throw the ball might just be the key defensively for the Gamecocks this week.
Saturday's game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET, and it will air on ESPN.
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