The No. 23 South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3, 4-3) are riding high, winning three games in a row. This week, the No. 25 Missouri Tigers (7-2, 3-2) come to Columbia, South Carolina as the Gamecocks’ sixth game against a ranked SEC opponent this season. Currently, South Carolina is 2-3 in such games. Here is what to watch for and all the details for this Week 12 matchup that has serious bowl game implications on the line.
South Carolina vs. Missouri Football History & Game Excerpts
The Tigers have the edge in the all-time standings between these two teams, winning nine and dropping five. They are currently coming into this game on a five-game winning streak against the Gamecocks, dating back to 2019. Last year, when these teams faced off, Mizzou dominated in a 34-12 win in Columbia (the one in Missouri). Despite their recent struggles against the Tigers, the Gamecocks are 13.5-point favorites in this game.
Comparing the schedules of these two teams, it’s clear why Carolina is so heavily favored. Here are SEC opponents both teams played this season and what the final score was in their respective games:
- Texas A&M: South Carolina W 44-22, Missouri L 41-10.
- Alabama: South Carolina L 27-25, Missouri L 34-0.
- Vanderbilt: South Carolina W 28-7, Missouri W 30-27/2 OT.
- Oklahoma: South Carolina W 35-9, Missouri W 30-23
South Carolina dominated Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma. Additionally, they were one 50-yard drive away from beating Alabama. On the contrary, the Tigers barely squeaked by with wins in games against the Sooners and Commodores. They were also blown out by the much better Crimson Tide, and Aggies.
Key Players For South Carolina
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, Running Back
The impact Sanders has made in the last two weeks make him by far the most valuable player on the team over that stretch. In just the two most recent games against Vandy and A&M, Sanders has produced the following stats:
- Rushing-270 yards, four TD
- Receiving-144 yards one touchdown
- All-purpose-414 yards, and 5 touchdowns
It’s going to be difficult for Sanders to top those performances but coming close will do the job too.
Tonka Hemingway & T.J. Sanders, Defensive Linemen
Both of these interior defensive lineman are equally as important in this game, more specifically to stop the run. South Carolina has had constant penetration in the backfield in every game the Gamecocks have controlled the tempo of far, so far this football season.
If South Carolina can produce TFLs and short-yardage gains then there will be a lot of short defensive series. While turnovers will no doubt be a key, the front four (including the best edge rushing duo in the country of Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart) will be just as important.
A Huge Loss For the Tigers
As of Thursday evening, Tiger’s starting quarterback Brady Cook is listed as “doubtful” to play in this Saturday’s game. Cook didn’t play last week against Oklahoma due to a hand/wrist injury suffered two weeks ago in the teams 34-0 loss to Alabama. Additionally, he is also dealing with a lingering ankle injury, which he sustained against Auburn. In the eight games he’s started, he’s thrown for 1,575 yards, seven touchdowns, and only one interception so far in 2024.
Key Players For Missouri
Drew Pyne, Quarterback
If Cook is indeed out, Pyne will need to step up. Last week against the Sooners, Pyne delivered in his first game with the starting nod all season. He passed for 143 yards (120 of those came in the second half), three touchdowns, and didn’t throw an interception. South Carolina has been good at stopping the run, meaning the Tigers will be forced into throwing situations on third and long.
Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver
Burden has 45 receptions for 505 yards and four touchdowns through the 2024 campaign. His quickness and great hands have him positioned as one of the top receiver in the 2025 NFL draft class. In a game that could decide the season for both teams, Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and his staff are planning to get No. 3 the ball.
Marcus Carroll, Running Back
Carroll possess a very similar running style to that of Rocket Sanders. At 5-feet 10-inches and 210 pounds, Carroll is a hard-nosed runner who is hard to bring down when he’s got a full head of steam.
Carroll gets majority of the carries down near the goal line, when the Tigers are only looking for a few yards to punch it in. He’s found the goal line six times so far this year and amassed 426 yards. Carroll has to get something going because without a solid run game, Mizzou doesn’t stand a chance.
Gamecocks’ Keys to a Win
Stay True To Your (Defensive) Game
The reason South Carolina played like they did in recent games against tough, in-conference opponents, is because of the Gamecocks defense. Let the players on the defensive side of the ball set the tone early, and force Mizzou (specifically Pyne) into making bad decisions.
Offensive Line Needs to Protect the Pocket
In each of the last two games, LaNorris Sellers hasn’t been sacked and Rocket Sanders has had two of his best games as a Gamecock. The offensive line deserves credit for both of these. Another big game from them can install more reliability in head coach Shane Beamer and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains as we head for the home stretch of the season.
Avoid Simple Mistakes
Keys to winning big games such as this one, are avoiding fixable mistakes. Specifically pre-snap penalties and burning timeouts due to miscommunication. In recent weeks, Sellers has been able to steer the offense away from these for the most part.
