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4:00 PM ET - Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250) - SEC Network - WatchESPN.com

Line: South Carolina (-7)

Television: Taylor Zarzour, Andre Ware, Olivia Harlan

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

National Radio: Sirius 119/XM 191

Live updates

** This is the 27th all-time meeting between South Carolina and Vanderbilt, with the Gamecocks holding a 22-4 advantage, including a 10-2 mark when the teams have met in Columbia and a 12-2 record when the games have been played in Nashville.

** The Gamecocks have won each of the last eight games, their longest winning streak in the series, and 15 of the last 17 meetings between these two SEC Eastern Division rivals. Of the Division I FBS opponents against whom the Gamecocks have at least 10 all-time meetings, Carolina has its best winning percentage against Vanderbilt at .846. In the previous 26 outings, Vanderbilt has tallied more than 17 points just five times (24 in 2003, 28 in 2005, 24 in 2008, 25 in 2013 and a record-high 34 in 2014).

** Will Muschamp is 4-1 in five games as a head coach against the Commodores. He was a 26-21 winner in 2011 in "The Swamp," posted a 31-17 win in Nashville in 2012, dropped a 34-17 decision at Gainesville in 2013, then won by a 34-10 count in Nashville in 2014 as the head coach at Florida. He ran his record in Nashville to 3-0 when he took the Gamecocks to the Music City and survived a 13-10 decision to open the 2016 campaign in his Carolina debut.

** A win would give Carolina six victories on the season, matching their win total of last year, and make them bowl-eligible. South Carolina has been bowl-eligible in 12 of the last 13 years, and has appeared in 10 bowl games in the last 12 seasons.

** The Gamecocks are coming off a bye week. They have won 10 of their last 12 contests after a bye week dating back to the 2008 season.

** The Gamecock defense has been better than advertised this season (19.3 points per game allowed), holding all seven opponents to fewer points than their season average, with three of the seven being held at least 10 points below their season mark. Vanderbilt enters this week's contest averaging 22.4 points per game.

** The Gamecock defense has really buckled down in the red zone this season. In the last game at Tennessee, Carolina surrendered just three field goals in four Vol penetrations into the red zone. For the season, the Gamecocks have allowed just 12 touchdowns on 26 red zone opportunities, or just 46 percent of the time. Overall, Carolina is tied for second in the SEC in red zone defense with Georgia, behind only Alabama.

** Senior defensive lineman Dante Sawyer leads the nation with four forced fumbles this season. The school record for a season is six, set by Bill Currier in 1976 and matched by Emanuel Weaver in 1981.

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Collyn Taylor: Vanderbilt always seems like a close game, but this year there’s a different feel to it. South Carolina seems like it’s on an upswing winning the last two games and Vandy’s been throttled by their last four opponents. The Gamecocks’ win streak has been largely predicated on running the ball and the ‘Dores give up about 250 yard on the ground per game. I think South Carolina uses that to its advantage and win this one controlling the ball and the clock. South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 17

Wes Mitchell: Vanderbilt has definitely struggled in SEC play this year with an 0-4 start and essentially three blowouts. It's worth pointing out, though, that two of those were to the two best teams in the conference. South Carolina should win this game by every conceivable metric, but Vanderbilt is not a team that turns the football over and USC general needs to turn teams over if they're going to blow them out. Gamecocks win, but it may not be pretty. USC 28, Vanderbilt 20

Michael Beckham: Common thought is that this should be a blowout, and I just don't see it. USC's offense has been way too inconsistent. The defense, however, has carried them to a 5-2 record, while Vanderbilt's defense is failing. I look for that trend to continue with the Gamecocks scoring just enough to keep it from being a nail-biter. USC 24, Vanderbilt 13

Justin Hall: Fans want a blowout win badly. But they won’t get it here. This game has been close for much of recent history. Gamecocks defensive effort allows them to pull away late. It’s uncomfortable for the first 30 minutes. USC 35, Vanderbilt 20

Will Helms: This has the feel of a trap game, but Vanderbilt's defense is good enough to cause trouble. Coming out of a bye week, Muschamp should have the team focused, but that does''t mean it will be an easy win. That being said, if South Carolina can stop Ralph Webb from having a breakout game, the Gamecocks have the talent to pull away in the second half. USC 31, Vanderbilt 16

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