Western Carolina @ South Carolina preview

Western Carolina at South Carolina

Gone is any hope of an SEC East title, but there is plenty at stake for South Carolina when it hosts Western Carolina on Saturday. The Gamecocks need one win to become bowl-eligible and a home matchup against an FCS program seems a more viable option than a win at No. 5 Clemson in their regular season finale.

South Carolina enters 5-5 on the heels of a 20-7 loss in a much-heralded matchup between coach Will Muschamp against his former Gators' program. Florida held the Gamecocks’ rushing game to 43 yards and 1.4 per carry, the third time they have been held to fewer than 50 yards this season. Running back Rico Dowdle, one of three freshmen starting in skill position spots, was limited to 18 yards after back-to-back 100-plus yard games. But one more win will double last season’s win total and make South Carolina eligible for its 10th bowl game in 12 seasons.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: None

ABOUT WESTERN CAROLINA (2-8): The Catamounts led 21-20 during the third quarter of a 49-21 loss to Furman last week and are winless in five road games this season. Western Carolina is 1-7 in Southern Conference play and had lost six straight before topping Virginia Military Institute 32-29 on Nov. 5. Running back Detrez Newsome is 84 yards shy of 1,000 for the season, and freshman quarterback Tyrie Adams has thrown for 2,437 yards and 15 touchdowns.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (5-5): The Florida loss marked the first as a starter for freshman quarterback Jake Bentley, who completed 18-of-33 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown. The defense, led by defensive backs Jamarcus King, Chris Lammons and Rashad Fenton, surrendered 372 yards to Florida, but it is one of only five FBS teams to have held every opponent this season to 30 points or fewer. The offensive line allowed five sacks for a team that finished its SEC schedule 3-5.

EXTRA POINTS

1. 1. South Carolina leads the series 4-0, but the teams have not met since 1989.

2. 2. Western Carolina has recorded only nine sacks and six interceptions, and forced only six fumbles this season.

3. 3. Last week’s loss ended South Carolina’s three-game winning streak that included a victory over Tennessee.