Florida vs. South Carolina College Football Week 11 Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

TV Schedule: Saturday, November 14, 12:00p.m. ET, ESPN

Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

Line: FLA (-7.5)

Even before Steve Spurrier announced his resignation, South Carolina’s season had been in a bit of a slump. Before his resignation, the Gamecocks were 2-4. Without him, South Carolina is 1-2. Spurrier resigned on October 13 after a tough loss to a No. 7-ranked LSU at Tiger Stadium. The Gamecocks are 3-6 after losses to Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, LSU, Texas A&M and Tennessee, four of which were determined by four points or less.

Shawn Elliott is serving as the Gamecocks’ interim coach but has only been able to pull out a win against Vanderbilt. It doesn’t seem likely that he’ll be able to pull the upset over Florida even though Vegas only favors the Gators by 7.5.

However, Florida is coming off a near-loss to Vanderbilt that was only saved by a late 43-yard field goal from Austin Hardin. The ugly win secured them the SEC East title and a spot in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta, but the Gators have a long way to go to prove they deserve a spot in this year’s College Football Playoff.

Unfortunately for Florida, that means routing South Carolina in their last regular season conference matchup, beating Florida Atlantic and a ranked Florida State and winning the SEC Championship game on December 5. South Carolina has won four of the last five meetings between the two schools and is 2-1 at home this season.

Florida’s defense ranks near the top of the SEC in yards (288.8) and points (14.6) allowed, while South Carolina ranks near the bottom by allowing 428.0 total yards and 27.3 points per game. Luckily for the Gamecocks, the Gators’ defense could be missing a few key players with DL Jonathan Bullard and S Keanu Neal still doubtful for Saturday’s game and DT Joey Ivie officially out.

Will it be enough of a boost for the Gamecocks? Or is Florida’s road to the CFP paved with Garnet and Black?

Prediction: Florida 27, South Carolina 21

Hannah Fields is a Tennessee Titans and SEC Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @hanfran7, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.