Spurrier made his own bed… now he must lie in it.

Our beloved Gators take on the hated South Carolina Spurriers — er, Gamecocks — today. Kickoff is 7:45PM ET.

We’ve already covered the emotional aspects of this game. Let’s talk some football.

Offense: South Carolina

I give them credit for putting up 36 points against Arkansas on the road last week. That’s enough to win an SEC game and Arkansas’ defense has been pretty good even in their losses — two of the Hogs’ three Ls came at 3 points or less and they held Auburn to a single TD.

So, what to make of South Carolina’s offense? Spurrier’s played musical quarterbacks with his offense all year, which is nothing new for Spurrier. Senior Blake Mitchell has been handed the reins again, which is either good or bad news depending on the kind of play he’ll bring against the Gators. Remembering our last two games against Blake, I expect we’ll see that Shane Matthews look… laser accurate. It doesn’t help that Blake stands to enjoy good protection given Florida’s total lack of a pass rush all year.

Cory Boyd is the kind of running back who can make Florida’s life miserable on defense. He’s a very good power runner, which is precisely what Florida’s defense has such a tough time stopping. South Carolina’s wide receivers have been respectable all year long, with star receiver Kenny McKinley as Mitchell’s favorite target.

If the Carolina offense has a good or even above average night, the only way Florida can win is by outscoring them.

Offense: Florida

Luckily, that is very possible if not probable. South Carolina’s defense is reeling from allowing 650 yards — 541 on the ground — to Arkansas and Darren McFadden a week ago. Sometimes teams have a way of rising up after an embarassing loss, so the fact that this unit comes in with wounded pride is either a good or bad thing depending how one looks at it. Either way, Meyer and Mullen should be able to unleash the full offense on South Carolina and enjoy some positive results.

The one thing which sticks in my craw just a bit is Florida’s lack of a traditional power running back other than Tebow. South Carolina’s run defense was exposed and one would think that Meyer and Mullen would attack that part of the defense first. Is Kestahn Moore out of the doghouse? Do we want him out of the doghouse? I’m afraid he’ll cough the ball up again — something that in this game above all others will be devastating. I think we can count of South Carolina scoring on at least 50% of their possessions. A turnover which goes for a score is a 10 or 14 point swing. MUST… NOT… DROP… BALL.

Tim Tebow has yet to play a “bad” game at Florida. He’s had one or two games where he’s looked more like an average to above average SEC quarterback rather than a superhero, but those performances are by far in the minority. Even in Florida’s crushing loss to Georgia, he played at a Heisman level. So I’m going to count on Tim Tebow playing another strong game for Florida in this crucial game, from which our SEC East hopes dangle by a thread.

Percy Harvin, Brandon James, Louis Murphy, Cornelius Ingram (can we PLEASE get the damn ball to him?) and Bubba Caldwell round out Florida’s playmakers on offense. The Gators have more firepower than the Cocks, but don’t forget, it’s the Visored One on the opposite sideline, which counts for at least one or two touchdowns alone.

Defense: South Carolina

Porous. Unable to stop the run. Better against the pass. (Sound like any defense you know?)

Defense: Florida

Porous. Unable to stop the run. Better, but not great against the pass. Easily fooled on misdirection plays. Not the greatest tacklers in the world.

Let’s face it. Both defenses suck out loud. Not too much analysis is needed here. This should be a high-scoring affair.

South Carolina Special Teams

Ryan Succop’s big leg has been a weapon for them, but it was odd he shanked that 40-yarded against Tennessee — in OT, no less — wide (WIDE) right. Their kickoff and punt return coverage has been average as has their return unit.

Florida Special Teams

It’s so nice to see this become such a big strength for the Gators. In my admittedly biased opinion, Brandon James is the most talented kickoff and punt return man in the country. My expectations have risen so high that I nearly expect to see him bring the ball out to the 40-yard line on kickoff — anything less, and I’m disappointed. On almost every return, it looks like he has a chance to break for the endzone.

Kicker Joey Ijjas has had a solid year, his low kick blocked by Auburn in that game notwithstanding.

We’re supposed to win this game

The analysis of both teams clearly favors the Gators. Vegas likes Florida by a TD. We have better players, more depth, more talent. We have Tim Freakin’ Tebow and Percy G-D Harvin, for crying out loud. Unfortunately this will be a grudge match… a difficult game to win with Darth Visor on the opposing sideline. Godspeed, Gators. The good guys have gotta win today.

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