On The Undercard: Steve Spurrier vs. Lane Kiffin

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

South Carolina visits Tennessee on Saturday in an important matchup for both teams, as they try to finish strong in the SEC East hunt. The Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2) bring their stingy defense and struggling offense to Knoxville to take on the Volunteers (3-4, 1-3), who were a blocked field goal away from beating the No. 2 Alabama last week.

This contest is very important to each team. This game has bowl implications written all over it; Carolina is searching for another win with a difficult schedule ahead, and Tennessee still needs three more wins to become bowl eligible. Also for UT, there is the chance to finish below .500 in consecutive seasons for the first time ever. 

I am sure this Halloween day SEC matchup will be a great game due to the fact that Carolina has never won consecutive games versus UT, with the average margin of victory being just seven points.

There's so much you could say about this game, from its importance to the many storylines going into it, but one area to watch is the two head coaches. No love lost between these two. 

Heck, some may say that they are similar with their egos and brash attitude at times.  Some have compared the young Kiffin to a young Spurrier when Steve entered the SEC. Spurrier is most certainly cocky, and gained respect through winning while jawing. He is just a bit more reserved in his old age now, and coaching at USC has given him a newfound patience.

Lane, on the other hand, is eager to keep UT part of the SEC discussion. What is for certain is this game means a lot to both, and maybe even a little more in the ego department. 

From the start, Spurrier gave some verbal jabs the UT way, just like he did when ex-UT coach Fulmer roamed the sidelines. Who can forget Spurrier saying, "you can not spell Citrus without UT"? Classic. 

For Lane and Steve, this all started back in December 2008, when Spurrier questioned Kiffin's recruiting practices. He made a public comment on whether the new UT coach had ever taken the SEC recruiting test before he talked with potential recruits. Oh, and let's not forget Kiffin ended up taking a great recruiter in Dave Reeves from Carolina and making him the lead recruiter at UT in the middle of recruiting season. 

Then the famous "pumping gas" comment Kiffin made to then recruit Alshon Jeffery. Needless to say, it did not go over well. Alshon ended up snubbing the USC Trojans and going with the USC Gamecocks. Now that comment is "locker room" material to get the Gamecocks fired up versus UT on Saturday. 

Wait, there is more...at the SEC media days leading up to the opening of the 2009 season, Spurrier was able to confront Lane in a elevator about some of the things going on between them. It was yet another instance of these two not playing nice and keeping the soap opera going.

Heading into this week, all is quiet and they are playing nice in front of the media, ensuring that they do not take away from the play on the field. You will not want to miss the ceremonial handshake prior to kickoff, though. I am sure—deep down—this is a game both men want to win badly, both for their ego and potential ammo in the future.  So watch just how much they bite their lip in talking at midfield, or if one will try to squeeze a little harder in the exchange.

Folks, it seems another UT vs. USC rivalry is brewing on the field—with the last four games being split—and off, with the coaches trading swipes. One thing is for certain, having this type of saga is good for SEC football, and I hope both coaches stick around for many years.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?