a winning season when a team averages just 308 yards/game, allows 172 yards rushing/game, converts just 33% of its third downs, allows almost 26 yards per kick return and allows opponents to convert 42.5% of their third-down attempts. The Gamecocks overcame those poor stats by playing great red-zone offense and defense. That’s coaching. Spurrier made the calls to score touchdowns (rather than field goals) and the defense made the critical plays to limit opponents’ point totals.

The Gamecocks averaged 23.0 point per game and yielded 21.9 points per game. Meanwhile, the Tigers scored at a 30.9 clip and surrendered 29.0 points per game.

The key to this game will be the Gamecock defense’s ability to stymie the Tiger ground game, which is led by a quarterback that is potent weapon both running and passing. The Gamecock run defense improved as the year progressed by still yielded 172 yards per game. Missouri’s ground attack averaged 205 yards per game.

Special teams are about equal.

The game is a tossup and may become a shootout. Because the Gamecocks seem to have a few more offensive weapons, they may sweat out a 27-24 victory.