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Meeting the Opponent: Week 4 – South Carolina Gamecocks

By Evan Ertel

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Zach Arnett of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Zach Arnett of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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Spencer Rattler #7 prepares to pass the ball
ATHENS, GA – SEPTEMBER 16: Spencer Rattler #7 prepares to pass the ball after a fake to Dakereon Joyner #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during a game between South Carolina Gamecocks and Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

How important is this Mississippi State football game for the Gamecocks?

Evan Ertel: This weekend’s game for South Carolina is the beginning of a really tough month of opponents, including trips to Knoxville, Colombia, MO, and College Station. How will this week set the tone for those games?

How does a win or a loss affect the Gamecocks as they head into that stretch?

Kevin Miller: As mentioned before, this game is almost a must-win for USC. With two losses already and 7 more games against quality opponents, Carolina has to knock off Zach Arnett’s squad.

If the Gamecocks fall on Saturday, turning around and beating Tennessee or Texas A&M on the road seems extremely unlikely.

The ground game (both running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense) has to improve or the stretch of Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri, and Texas A&M could go very poorly.

Picking up 3 wins is essential, and that all starts with the Bulldogs.

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