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3:30 p.m. - SEC Network - WatchESPN.com

Line: South Carolina (-9.5)

Television: Dave Neal, Matt Stinchcomb, Dawn Davenport

Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network - Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Langston Moore (Radio affiliates)

National Radio: Sirius 138/XM 191

In-stadium Radio: 107.5 the Game

Live updates here.

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** This is the sixth gridiron meeting between South Carolina and Louisiana Tech, but the first meeting between the two schools since the 1995 season. The teams met for five-consecutive seasons from 1991-95, with the Gamecocks posting a 4-0-1 record against the Bulldogs during that stretch.

** South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp has not faced Louisiana Tech as a head coach.

** Louisiana Tech posted a 9-5 record during the 2016 campaign, including a 6-2 mark in Conference USA. They capped their season with a 48-45 win over Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.

** Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz spent six seasons at South Carolina. He wore several hats during his tenure with the Gamecocks, coaching the quarterbacks his first four seasons, before handling the tight ends in 2003 and then returning to guide the signal-callers in `04, working as assistant head coach under his father, the legendary Lou Holtz. While at South Carolina, Holtz was recognized as an Assistant Coach of the Year in 2001 by the All-American Football Foundation. This contest will mark Holtz's first as a head coach against the Gamecocks.

** Deebo Samuel has done it all for the Gamecocks through the season's first three games and will be greatly missed after suffering a broken bone in his leg against Kentucky. Samuel leads the SEC in scoring with 36 points (12.0 ppg), is tied for fifth in receptions per game (5.0), is fourth in receiving yards per game (83.3) and second in all-purpose yards (158.0).

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Collyn Taylor: South Carolina is going to come out hungry this week after last week’s letdown, and I don’t think they’re going to let this one slip through their grasp. This game comes at a good time because it gives some young players a chance to get their feet wet against a non Power 5 school. I think the ground game gets going and the defense forces a handful of turnovers. South Carolina 35, Louisiana Tech 21

Will Helms: South Carolina has weapons other than Deebo Samuel and I think this is the week that those weapons finally get utilized. I think we'll see more creativity in the running game and I think Bryan Edwards has a shot to tally a career-high in receiving yards. La Tech's offense is talented, but South Carolina will put an emphasis on playing "Muschamp Ball" which includes winning the turnover battle. Jake Bentley will have his best game of the season and the running game will help South Carolina maintain a lead. USC 34, La Tech 17

Wes Mitchell: We've said it all week, that South Carolina can't sleep walk through this one. La Tech will almost surely put up big yardage in this game, but I also suspect we'll see them turn it over a bit with an inexperienced quarterback and the Gamecock defense should be able to lock down in the red zone and force field goals too. I tend to follow the Lou Holtz rule of, things are never has good or as bad as they seem. USC - 38, La Tech - 23

Michael Beckham: The Gamecocks absolutely cannot afford to lose this game, and I don't think that will happen. I believe that the game will be close at halftime with the Gamecocks taking firm control and pulling away in the second half. The offense will get back on track behind a rejuvenated running game and an efficient Bentley. The defense will have its normal under-30 game, bending but not breaking and forcing key turnovers. USC 41 La Tech 20

Justin Hall: The Gamecocks will show that last week was a blip on the radar. The loss of Deebo Samuel will hurt, but a good running game can cure ills. Look for Kurt Roper to dial up a lot of run plays on Saturday. La Tech will keep it close for a half, but South Carolina will rack up 200 yards rushing and salt this one away late. USC 42 La. Tech 17

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