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SEC Football: 5 most important SEC East games for 2017

By Erich Hilkert

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coaches Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs and Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators shake hands after the game at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coaches Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs and Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators shake hands after the game at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 29: Joshua Dobbs #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers drops runs with the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 29: Joshua Dobbs #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers drops runs with the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – South Carolina at Tennessee (Oct. 14)

South Carolina isn’t considered a serious contender in the East. Instead the Gamecocks might be considered a darkhorse behind Kentucky. Tennessee isn’t considered one of the favorites, but the team is near the top.

The Vols lost its best defensive player (Derek Barnett) and offensive player (Joshua Dobbs), as well as multiple playmakers (Alvin Kamara, Josh Malone, and Jalen Hurd).

South Carolina has one of the SEC’s best quarterbacks in Jake Bentley and running back Rico Dowdle had a breakout game last season against Tennessee. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is a dynamic playmaker

South Carolina beat Tennessee last season, 24-21. The Gamecocks’ defense was probably the biggest reason the Gamecocks earned the win. South Carolina held Tennessee to less than 300 total yards. For perspective, the Vols average 443.7 yards per game.

Tennessee’s loss came during a brutal stretch of the schedule—an overtime loss to Texas A&M and a home blowout against Alabama preceded by close wins against Georgia and Florida. Tennessee faces a difficult stretch again during the middle of the season, but the South Carolina game comes near the beginning, not the end. Also, Tennessee has home advantage this season.

South Carolina has probably the worst offensive line in the conference, so this could end up being a defensive showdown.

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