South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) at Oklahoma (4-2, 1-2), Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Oklahoma by 2 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
Oklahoma fans are getting restless after a blowout loss to rival Texas last week. The Sooners have played strong defense this season, but their offense is one of the nation’s worst — an unusual position for a program used to posting big numbers. A loss here, especially if the offense struggles, raises more questions for Oklahoma coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. South Carolina is coming off a close loss to Alabama. A win here would soothe some of the disappointment.
KEY MATCHUP
South Carolina’s run game vs. Oklahoma’s run defense. The Gamecocks average 175 yards per game on the ground and possess the ball for nearly 32 minutes per game. Raheim Sanders leads the way with 393 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Quarterbacks LaNorris Sellers and Robby Ashford also are dangerous runners. The Sooners allow just 117 yards rushing per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Carolina: DE Kyle Kennard. He leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the country with 7 1/2 sacks. He will present a major challenge for an Oklahoma offensive line that has struggled to protect its quarterbacks.
Oklahoma: QB Michael Hawkins Jr. The true freshman struggled against Texas and now will face one of the nation’s top pass rushers in Kennard. Hawkins is a dual threat and a playmaker who has had moments. He will need to string more of them together for the Sooners to win.
FACTS & FIGURES
South Carolina failed on a 2-point conversion in the final minute against Alabama that would have tied the game. The Gamecocks also have a three-point loss to LSU. … South Carolina coach Shane Beamer was an assistant at Oklahoma for three years. … Oklahoma has scored 16 or fewer points three times this season. … Oklahoma is not ranked for the first time since the final 2022 poll. … Oklahoma has lost consecutive home games just once since 1999, but could do so again on Saturday. … Venables faced South Carolina nine times while an assistant coach at Clemson. … Oklahoma ranks seventh nationally with 14 turnovers gained.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
