South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 in the Southeastern Conference) will visit Oklahoma (4-2, 1-2) on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. ET, as per the SEC Network’s schedule.
BetMGM has set the odds with Oklahoma favored by 2 1/2 points.
This game marks the first time these two teams will meet on the football field.
The stakes are high for Oklahoma fans, who are growing frustrated following a significant defeat against their long-time rivals, Texas. Despite the team’s strong defensive performance this season, Oklahoma’s offense has struggled, ranking among the lowest in the nation — a stark contrast to the high-scoring reputation the program typically holds.
A defeat, especially with an off-putting performance from the offense, could lead to increased scrutiny on head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. Meanwhile, South Carolina is looking to rebound after a narrow loss to Alabama, and a victory here could alleviate some of their recent disappointment.
A key aspect of the game will be the performance of South Carolina’s rushing attack versus Oklahoma’s run defense. The Gamecocks have averaged 175 rushing yards per game and control the clock for nearly 32 minutes each outing. Raheim Sanders has been a standout with 393 rushing yards and five touchdowns thus far. Additionally, quarterbacks LaNorris Sellers and Robby Ashford add to the ground threat. However, the Sooners have been formidable against the run, yielding only 117 yards on the ground per game.
In terms of standout players, South Carolina’s defensive end Kyle Kennard will be one to keep an eye on. He leads the SEC with 7.5 sacks and ranks fourth nationally, posing a significant challenge for an Oklahoma offense that has had difficulty keeping its quarterbacks well-protected.
On the other hand, Oklahoma’s freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will also be a player to watch. After a rough outing against Texas, he will face Kennard, one of the best pass rushers in college football. Hawkins is known for his dual-threat ability and has shown flashes of brilliance, but he will need to deliver a consistent performance for the Sooners to triumph.
Looking at some interesting facts and stats, South Carolina narrowly missed a 2-point conversion attempt against Alabama in the final minute, which would have leveled the game. The Gamecocks also suffered a close three-point defeat to LSU earlier in the season. Shane Beamer, South Carolina’s head coach, previously worked as an assistant at Oklahoma for three years.
For Oklahoma, this season has seen them score 16 or fewer points in three different games, leading to their unranked status for the first time since the final poll of 2022. The Sooners have lost consecutive home games only once since 1999 and could find themselves facing that fate again after Saturday’s contest. Venables has faced South Carolina nine times during his tenure at Clemson. Notably, Oklahoma ranks seventh nationally for turnovers gained, with 14 so far this season.