INSIDE THE GAME South Carolina vs. Southern Miss

INSIDE THE GAME

South Carolina vs. Southern Miss

Here's a look at what could make the difference when South Carolina and Southern Mississippi meet tonight in Columbia:

1. Cornering Brown

Despite being in a league filled with great receivers, South Carolina might not see another as talented as Southern Miss' DeAndre Brown. Big (6-6) and physical, he'll meet his match in the Gamecocks' pair of 6-1 corners, Chris Culliver and Stephon Gilmore. It may be difficult to take your eyes off that matchup, regardless of what's happening on other parts of the field.

2. Quarterback shuffle

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has vowed that he doesn't want to sabotage the offense by playing both Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw. But how's this going to work, exactly? And can the Gamecocks pull it off, subbing the QBs on a semi-regular basis? Is Shaw truly ready for action? This, a game, is the only way to find out.

3. Line of demarcation

New South Carolina offensive line coach Shawn Elliott is a spotlighted figure in this game, and he knows it. This is the time for Elliott to show, at least in tone, that this will be a different offensive line. Protect the quarterbacks and open some holes for the running backs (Marcus Lattimore, maybe?). The Gamecocks need a positive first step with this thin line.

Overview

Southern Miss is far from a patsy opener, as everyone knows. But there's no way the Eagles have the athleticism and depth to hang with South Carolina, on the road, for four quarters. It's just too much to ask. The Gamecocks' offense has been pretty ragged in Spurrier's openers. Maybe someone -- Garcia? Shaw? Lattimore? -- will spark the team and USC can ride a hot hand to help the team pull away from the Eagles. Look for a lot more points in this opener, as opposed to last year's 7-3 snoozer in Raleigh.

Prediction

South Carolina 34, Southern Mississippi 21