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Muschamp hopes to narrow 'well-contested' QB battle soon

ALSO SEE: Notes from McClendon and Hutzler | Practice Insider - August 11

South Carolina's quarterback rotation has remained largely unchanged through 12 preseason practices, but that could soon change as the Gamecocks will scrimmage for the first time Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.

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Returning starter Perry Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain have rotated days taking snaps with the first team, while freshman Jake Bentley has also continued to receive a lot of snaps in what has been a wide open competition.

"I think we've got to narrow it down to two (soon), there's no question, and still have the third guy repping at times," Muschamp said. "We'll see how they do Saturday."

Orth and McIlwain, who graduated high school early to go through spring practice, exited the spring and entered the fall as the top two with neither holding a lead. That remains the case, but Bentley, who enrolled this summer, has also impressed with his ability.

"I think as far as Jake is concerned it's strictly because of experience and reps and turns -- and that's really it," Muschamp said. "From a talent level standpoint, he's right there, so it's just a matter of the experience with the offense and what we're trying to do."

Muschamp has already started the process of putting the quarterbacks in scrimmage situations, but Saturday's will be much more of a true game simulation with coaches calling plays from the press box and a simulated halftime.

On Wednesday, the defense was limited a bit in what it could do, Saturday they'll have the full playbook at their disposal.

"It's a very well-contested battle right now," Muschamp said. "We've created a bunch of 1-minute situations all week, putting them under duress, in tough situations where they've got to manage the clock and manage the offensive football team. I think Saturday will be a good judgment day for them."

Muschamp adds that he won't hesitate to play two quarterbacks in games if that's what it takes to win.

"The competition has been very healthy from a standpoint of these are three really class young men that have been raised right," Muschamp said. "They're good people and at the end of the day, they want what's best for the University of South Carolina."

ALSO SEE: Notes from McClendon and Hutzler | Practice Insider - August 11

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