Tennessee is a BIG game for the Gamecocks

The Vols visit the Gamecocks under the lights at
Williams-Brice Saturday.

South Carolina (4-4) hosts Tennessee (3-5) Saturday night in a game that will go toward deciding if the Gamecocks can salvage what has been a disaster of a season.

Gamecock Head Coach Steve Spurrier changed his play style last week against Auburn. Spurrier, who has never liked punting, made sure – by converting on fourth-down - he kept his offense on the field as much as possible. By doing that, he kept the Gamecock's woefully inept defense off the field as much as possible.

It did not work for a win against Top 5 Auburn, but maybe it will work versus Tennessee, in Columbia.

If SC can defeat Tennessee, the Gamecocks get a week off before traveling to Florida. Suppose South Carolina beats the Vols, with a new urgency-based offense.

A win would go a long way toward bringing some semblance of confidence back to a team that has had its image shattered with lead-losing losses to an inferior Missouri team and at Kentucky.

A score-happy offense and a win over the once-proud Volunteers could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

After Tennessee and the trip to Florida, the Gamecocks play South Alabama at home. Then there is the season finale at Clemson.

At this point, South Carolina fans would be pleased to end with seven wins.

Three weeks ago, a bowl trip did not seem likely. But with a win over Tennessee, bowl qualification looks a lot more possible.

The goals are not as lofty as pre-season hopes, but Saturday, versus Tennessee, the Gamecocks have a lot to play for. For the loyalists, it's a bigtime atmosphere, in a big SEC game.

South Carolina versus Tennessee will hold all the drama that playing in the SEC brings. Be ready to enjoy it. It's a game with a lot of implications.