Florida Football: 3 keys to victory vs. South Carolina in Week 8

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COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 28: Ryan Hilinski #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

2. Force Ryan Hilinski to beat you

Rico Dowdle is legitimately good at the running back position for South Carolina, as he was able to carve up Alabama and Kentucky for big games. The Gamecocks’ offense has success when he and Tavien Feaster perform, with Ryan Hilinski being thrust into the starting role this season.

Hilinski is cleared to play, and appears to be starting for the Gamecocks. Regardless, he’s really struggled in his last two games, throwing for under 200 yards in both and having paltry completion percentages in both games. If Florida can keep the running backs at bay, this will be an easy victory for them.

Hilinski is 60th among quarterbacks in QBR, and CJ Henderson and Co. will need to take advantage and play better against the pass this week. I expect them to rebound.

Luckily for the Gators, they average about 3.5 yards per carry on defense, ranking in the top 30 in rushing defense in the country. Jeremiah Moon, James Houston IV and the rest of the Gators linebackers will need to slow down Dowdle.

From there, forcing the Gamecocks into passing situations allows the great pass rush to do its thing, and forces one of the worst SEC quarterbacks to have to try to win the game.

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