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No. 17 Florida at South Carolina
Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET


Line: Florida -6.5

Why to watch: Never really a rivalry with Florida dominating the series for years, things got interesting in a big hurry when Steve Spurrier took over in Columbia. Now this is one of the circle games on the SEC schedule and even has a little bit of potential impact on the East race. South Carolina needs to beat the Gators and hope for Georgia to lose one of its final two games to at least get in the discussion of tie-breakers (needing Tennessee to lose once more, as well), while Florida needs to win this week and get two Georgia losses to play for the title. Before thinking realistically of what might be, USC needs to simply halt a rough three-game losing streak starting with a home loss to Vanderbilt, continuing with a tough overtime loss to Tennessee, and last week, getting run all over by Arkansas in an all-time woeful defensive performance. A one-time BCS challenger not only has the Gators this week, but has to deal with Clemson to close out. The Gators get a layup against Florida Atlantic before dealing with Florida State.

Why Florida might win: It might not seem like it, but Florida is running the ball extremely well. Most of the production has come from Tim Tebow, who holds the SEC single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 14, but Kestahn Moore is coming off a nice 85-yard day against Vanderbilt, and Percy Harvin has gotten even more involved with a 113-yard, two touchdown day. South Carolina is banged up, bruised, and reeling, and is showed last week by giving up 542 rushing yards and four touchdowns to Arkansas. The Gators might not have a Darren McFadden or a Felix Jones, but they should be able to break out a few big runs if their speedsters can get into the linebacking corps with a little room to move.

Why South Carolina might win: If you want to throw the ball one Gator secondary, chuck it up and hope for the best. Vanderbilt didn't have much luck last week, but it doesn't have the passing game South Carolina can crank out if Blake Mitchell is rolling. Needing to keep up the pace against Arkansas, Mitchell threw for 364 yards and two touchdowns in one of the best games of his career. If the offensive line can keep him upright, he should have another 300 yard day. Florida's pass rush is hit or miss, and if it doesn't get a few big hits early, the secondary will be dinked and dunked on to death.

Who to watch: Because his team is 6-3 and out of the national title hunt, Tim Tebow has fallen out of the running for the Heisman. While he's still in the mix to be a finalist, he's not being talked about as a true favorite, even though it could be argued that he's been the best player in college football this year. Considering the running backs have been spotty, and top receiver Andre Caldwell is just now getting into the flow after missing time earlier this year hurt, Tebow has to be given credit for leading the nation in passing efficiency, while also leading the Gators in rushing and with at least one rushing touchdown in every game. His injured shoulder is apparently getting a bit better, and with a layup against Florida Atlantic next week, this might be a game for him to start running full throttle again after carrying it just 19 times in the last two weeks.

What will happen: Emotions will always be sky-high for Florida, but South Carolina is too beaten up and struggling too much defensively to handle a relatively rested Florida team with all the offensive parts starting to work. It'll be a bit of an offensive shootout with the Gators getting just enough balance in the fourth quarter to keep a hot Mitchell off the field.

Must See Rating: (5 Seinfeld: Season 9 - 1 Bee Movie) ... 4
Fearlesss Prediction: Florida 41 ... South Carolina 35