East Carolina @ South Carolina preview

East Carolina at South Carolina

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2011 ) East Carolina 37, South Carolina 56

South Carolina fans held their collective breath when quarterback Connor Shaw walked off the field holding his bruised throwing shoulder in the second quarter of a season-opening win over Vanderbilt, and Gamecocks fans might be holding it right up until kickoff of Saturday's home contest against East Carolina. Coach Steve Spurrier said Shaw, who returned in the second half of the 17-13 win, would test the shoulder Thursday but will be a game-time decision even if cleared by team doctors.

With or without Shaw, the ninth-ranked Gamecocks will look to improve upon a sluggish performance against Vanderbilt. South Carolina managed only 272 total yards, including just 67 through the air. It will need to improve against an East Carolina team that put up 390 yards - but gave up 419 - in a 35-13 win over Appalachian State in its opener. The teams are meeting for the 17th time and the second straight year. South Carolina holds an 11-5 advantage in the series, including an 8-4 mark at home and a 56-37 win last year in Charlotte, N.C. East Carolina has won the last three meetings in Columbia and four of the last five, most recently a 21-3 victory in 1999.

TV: 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network, ESPN3.com. LINE: South Carolina -21.5

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (1-0, 0-0 C-USA): The Pirates showed some offensive prowess in the second half against Appalachian State, and they should be even better now that quarterback Rio Johnson has a start under his belt. Johnson threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for a score in his first start. The defense left something to be desired, though, especially against the pass.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (1-0, 1-0 SEC): Whether it's Shaw or Dylan Thompson under center, the Gamecocks are likely to lean on star running back Marcus Lattimore, who earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns in his return from ACL surgery. Lattimore had 112 yards and three touchdowns against the Pirates last season. The Gamecocks also will count on another strong performance from their experienced defense, which held Vandy to 276 total yards, including 62 rushing yards on 36 attempts.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Gamecocks have won five straight games overall and 12 straight regular-season games against non-conference opponents, dating to 2008.

2. The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight non-conference road games.

3. Spurrier is 44-0 all-time against teams outside the BCS automatic qualifying conferences, including an 18-0 mark at South Carolina.

PREDICTION: South Carolina 27, East Carolina 10