How to watch South Carolina football game vs. Florida: TV, time, odds

Payton Titus
Sam Wolfe/Special To The State

South Carolina’s 2023 homecoming game is this weekend as the Gamecocks take on the Florida Gators. Besides being a celebration of USC alumni, the contest also feels like a must-win for a 2-3 South Carolina team.

Here’s everything you need to know about the UF game, including how to watch, important storylines, betting odds and more.

What channel is the South Carolina game on?

Who: South Carolina (2-3, 1-2 SEC) vs. Florida (4-2, 2-1)

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

TV: SEC Network

Stream: ESPN.com and the ESPN app

On-air announce crew: Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline reporter)

Radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area (Todd Ellis, play-by-play; Tommy Suggs, analyst; Chet Tucker, sideline) … See all the radio affiliates around South Carolina here.

Satellite radio: Sirius/XM, Channel 109 or 190

Series history: Florida leads the all-time series 30-10-3 (including a 12-8-1 lead in Columbia) and the conference series 24-7. South Carolina has won six of the last 13 contests, but Florida won 38-6 in Gainesville last season.

Injury report, top storylines for the game

  • Injury report: South Carolina has a relatively clean bill of health after the bye week. Coach Shane Beamer said Thursday on the “Carolina Calls” radio show that offensive lineman Jaxon Hughes won’t play this week after getting “banged up” in practice this week. Beamer said receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells, who has yet to play a full game for USC this season due to a foot injury, is “doing OK.” Wells is healing well and could be back Saturday, next month or next year, Beamer said. Everyone else besides those who were ruled out for the season (Mo Kaba, knee; Markee Anderson, knee; Ni Mansell, undisclosed; Ryan Brubaker, knee) or said to be out for a long time (Cason Henry, lower body) will be available against Florida.

  • Must-win for the Gamecocks: A win over the Gators would even the Gamecocks’ overall and SEC records. South Carolina has yet to have a winning record all season, nor has it finished above .500 in conference play since 2017. A homecoming victory could provide momentum to help USC get the six wins needed to make a bowl game.

  • Stopping the run (and the QB): Florida’s star running back Trevor Etienne (upper body injury) will be back against South Carolina after sitting out against Vanderbilt last weekend. USC’s defense has struggled to stop the run this season, so Etienne and his six yards per carry (358 yards and two touchdowns on the season) will provide the Gamecocks with a serious challenge. So will quarterback Graham Mertz, who has completed 82.2% of his passes against SEC teams (80% overall).

  • Home-field advantage: The Gamecocks are 2-0 at home this season, looking to be 3-0 after the weekend. The Gators have yet to win a road game this year. The sold-out homecoming crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium could give South Carolina the edge it needs to beat Florida at a crucial juncture in the season.

Weather forecast for Columbia, SC

Saturday should be partly sunny with a high near 78 degrees and a 30% chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

ESPN FPI game prediction

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives South Carolina a 57.5% chance to win the game.

Point spread for USC vs. Florida

The Gamecocks are a 2.5-point favorite over the Gators, according to VegasInsider’s consensus line. The over/under is 51.5 points.

2023 football schedule

USC depth chart

——OFFENSE——

  • QB: Spencer Rattler (Luke Doty)

  • RB: Mario Anderson —OR— Dakereon Joyner (Juju McDowell)

  • TE: Trey Knox (Nick Elksnis)

  • TE: Joshua Simon (Connor Cox)

  • WR: O’Mega Blake (Tyshawn Russell)

  • WR: Ahmarean Brown (Eddie Lewis)

  • WR: Xavier Legette (Nyck Harbor)

  • LT: Tree Babalade (Tyshawn Wannamaker)

  • LG: Nick Gargiulo (Trai Jones)

  • RG: Jakai Moore —OR— Trovon Baugh

  • RT: Tyshawn Wannamaker —OR—Sidney Fugar

  • OC: Vershon Lee (Grayson Mains)

——DEFENSE——

  • DE: Tyreek Johnson —OR— Jatius Geer —OR— Elijah Davis

  • OLB/Edge: Jordan Strachan —OR— Bryan Thomas Jr. —OR— Desmond Umeozulu

  • DT: Tonka Hemingway (T.J. Sanders)

  • DT: Alex Huntley (Nick Barrett)

  • MLB: Stone Blanton (Grayson “Pup” Howard)

  • WLB: Debo Williams (Bam Martin-Scott)

  • NICK: Keenan Nelson Jr. (David Spaulding —OR— Kajuan Banks)

  • CB: O’Donnell Fortune (Judge Collier)

  • CB: Marcellas Dial (Emory Floyd)

  • SS: Nick Emmanwori (King-Demenian Ford)

  • FS: DQ Smith (Jalon Kilgore)

——SPECIAL TEAMS——

  • PK: Mitch Jeter (Alex Herrera)

  • P: Kai Kroeger (Alex Herrera)

  • LSN: Hunter Rogers (Cole Rasmussen)

  • H: Kai Kroeger (William Joyce)

  • KOR: Xavier Legette (Dakereon Joyner —OR— Juju McDowell)

  • PR: Ahmarean Brown (Eddie Lewis)

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