Matchup with Gators 'a little scary'

USC a three-touchdown underdog against Florida

COLUMBIA — Hearing Ray Rychleski talk Monday night, it made you think South Carolina's special teams coordinator would be lining up Saturday afternoon for autographs from No. 3 Florida.

"It's a little scary," Rychleski said of the 24th-ranked Gamecocks matching up with the streaking Gators.

He then went through the Florida lineup like he was outlining an all-star team, his eyes getting bigger with each name considered.

"I'm telling you, this team ..." he said, trailing off before starting with the roster. "(Return man) Brandon James is the Devin Hester of college football. (In quarterback Tim) Tebow, you've got the Heisman. You've got (receiver-running back) Percy Harvin. This kid (Jeff) Demps, he might be as good as all of them. The kid (Chris) Rainey.

"Where are they getting these guys? I was watching and said, 'Who are these guys?' And they're using them well. They're getting their money out of their scholarship guys."

Many outside the team have been somewhat surprised to see South Carolina (7-3, 4-3 SEC) installed as a 21-point underdog in the game. The previous high in Steve Spurrier's USC tenure was 17, in 2005 at Georgia and last year at LSU.

But everyone associated with the Gamecocks seems content playing the Rocky role. More than content, really.

"We're, what, 21-point, 22-point underdogs?" Rychleski said. "I thought it'd be more, to be honest with you."

It's not just Rychleski. Spurrier has been more complimentary of this Florida team than any in recent memory. And it's not just because he was a Gator himself.

The Gamecocks seem to have their arms wide open, bear-hugging the idea of being a three-touchdown underdog in this game.

Spurrier laid it on pretty thick Tuesday.

When is Tebow most effective, Coach?

"He's most dangerous probably running and throwing," Spurrier said, flashing a grin after that one.

How fast are the Gators, Coach?

"They may be the fastest in college ball this year," he said. "Easily could be."

What makes Tebow and the offense so successful, Coach?

"They've got a lot of good plays on for him at the right time. I've noticed that," Spurrier said. "Dan Mullen, their quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, I think he's one of the best in the country, also. He's got good players, like all of us do. But they use them very well."

Complimenting an offensive coach? That's hardly the norm for Spurrier.

Linebacker Jasper Brinkley said he doesn't think any team in the country is playing better than Florida.

"Honestly," he said. "I don't."

In the five-game winning streak since that seemingly implausible home loss to Ole Miss, the Gators have put up a mind-boggling 48.6 points a game. No one's been close to them.

Now it's a chance to see how USC's improved, top-ranked defense matches up. The Gamecocks are giving up eight fewer yards a game (256.5) than any other team in the SEC.

"Our defense is pretty healthy. They'll be ready to play," Spurrier said. "Our guys will be ready to play. The whole team should be ready to play. There's absolutely no pressure on the Gamecocks going down there to play this game."

The flow of praise has been so intense early this week that it's overtaken the idea of Spurrier's return to his alma mater.

"Yeah, I think that's pretty old," Spurrier said. "I think there's a lot more on the line for those guys. We've got a lot to play for. They've got a lot to play for."

More, in fact, than the Gamecocks. Florida (8-1, 6-1) has already sewn up the division title. Coach Urban Meyer this week acknowledged that he's talked with his team, albeit briefly, about its national title hopes.

With three wins, including the SEC title game against Alabama, Florida would figure to have played its way into the championship.

But, alas, there was a point when the lauding of Florida stopped. Rychleski halted himself, changing tune to an underlying theme of determination for the Gamecocks, who have yet to beat a ranked team this season.

"We've got to play. We're good. We're a good team," he said. "We're going to fire every bullet we have. We'll do everything in the playbook to try and win this game. We're not going to play it close. Nobody cares about close."

The game two years ago in the Swamp is perhaps evidence of that. A couple of blocked kicks — a field goal and an extra point — and a false start penalty are all that separated USC from upsetting a team that went on to win the national championship.

"That was a tough moment for us, and me especially," senior kicker Ryan Succop said. "It would be a heck of a way to go out, being a senior and it being my last year. It would be awesome to win and go down and beat Florida in the Swamp."

Extra points

-- Spurrier said senior Jamon Meredith (ankle) should be 100 percent to start at left guard. Hutch Eckerson split time with him last week at the position.

-- Those worried about Captain Munnerlyn cramping shouldn't be. Spurrier said everyone's keeping the corner away from those fried foods he loves so much.

"Yeah, we try to get him away from Bojangles," Spurrier said. "Don't get mad at me, Bojangles. They've got some good chicken. Yeah, Captain loves fried chicken. He does. It's OK occasionally. You can't make a steady diet of it."

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com.

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