Florida Football: 5 Keys to the Game vs. South Carolina

It's been nearly three years since ESPN's College GameDay was in Gainesville, and you can bet Gator fans will flock to the Swamp on Saturday as No. 2 Florida hosts No. 7 South Carolina in an epic SEC East showdown. 

This matchup means much more to the Gators than a chance to possibly wrap up the division. 

It means redemption. 

The Gators lost to the Gamecocks by five points in Columbia last season and were trounced 36-14 the last time Steve Spurrier's squad traveled to the Swamp. 

Will Muschamp has done a terrific job turning this team around, but Saturday could go down as his signature win. 

Beating Spurrier is easier said than done, as the former Florida great leads a squad loaded with top-end talent. 

Let's take a look at the five keys to a Gators victory on Saturday. 

Neutralize Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor

If defensive end Jadeveon Clowney could enter the 2013 NFL Draft, he'd be the first overall pick. 

Unfortunately for the rest of the SEC, the 6'6", 256-pound sophomore will be terrorizing quarterbacks for at least another year before he's eligible to declare for the NFL Draft. 

Blessed with rare quickness, length and pass-rush skills, Clowney represents a monumental challenge for the Gators offensive line. 

In his weekly press conference (via GatorVision), Will Muschamp put it best, "He can ruin your day." 

Xavier Nixon and Chaz Green will have to account for Clowney at all times, but they can't forget about his talented teammate Devin Taylor. 

Although he doesn't possess Clowney's elite athleticism or production, Taylor checks in at a menacing 6'8", 267 pounds. 

The owner of 17.0 career sacks has had a slow start to his senior season, but if Florida sends extra attention Clowney's way, Taylor could be a disruptor in one-on-one matchups. 

Respect South Carolina's Secondary

As good as South Carolina's front four is, the secondary is no slouch either.  

Free safety D.J. Swearinger anchors a defense that's allowed just 187.6 passing yards per game, picked off nine passes and broken up 32 more. 

Swearinger, a 6'0", 210-pound senior, is one of the best safeties in the country. Through seven games, he's recorded 26 tackles, one interception and returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown against UAB. 

The Gamecocks' cornerback duo of Jimmy Legree and Victor Hampton is as solid as any in the SEC, so Jeff Driskel will have to take extra care in avoiding turnovers in the passing game. 

Dominate in the Trenches

Will Muschamp preaches that the SEC is a line of scrimmage league, and Saturday's matchup should prove no different. 

Last week Florida dealt with injuries along the offensive line, but received strong play from backups D.J. Humphries, Ian Silberman and Sam Robey. 

The Gators will have starters Xavier Nixon and Jonotthan Harrison back in the lineup, which should solidify a much-improved unit. 

Defensively, the Gators boast a tremendous front four that plays with unparalleled aggression and effort. 

Sharrif Floyd—a 6'3", 303-pound junior—plays with terrific strength and explosion from his defensive tackle spot, while defensive ends Dominique Easley and Lerentee McCray utilize their quickness and agility to make plays in the backfield. 

South Carolina's offensive line has lacked consistency at times this season, so the Gators must dictate the line of scrimmage and dominate up front. 

Shut Down Marcus Lattimore

If the Gamecocks have any chance of upsetting the Gators, they'll need star running back Marcus Lattimore at full strength. 

Unfortunately, a Wednesday report by the Associated Press (via Yahoo! Sports) suggests that Lattimore may not even start against Florida on Saturday due to a hip injury. 

Provided Lattimore does play, he'll be the focus of Florida's defensive efforts. 

The last time Lattimore played at the Swamp, he carried the rock 40 times for 212 yards and three touchdowns in just his 10th collegiate game. 

With linebacker Jelani Jenkins back in the lineup alongside thumper Jon Bostic, the Gators should have a much better chance of containing the ultra-talented 218-pound tailback. 

Win in the Return Game

Florida has done a fantastic job covering kicks and punts this season, but it hasn't faced a threat like Ace Sanders. 

The 5'8", 175-pound receiver/return specialist has been just that—special. 

Despite his diminutive frame, the slippery-quick junior ranks sixth in the country in punt return average (16.5) and has caught four touchdown passes on offense. 

With ESPN Midseason All-American punter Kyle Christy in tow, the Gators have a dangerous weapon to combat Sanders' game-changing talents. 

Christy will have to be at his best in order to neutralize Sanders and give Florida's defense good field position. 

On the flip side, the Gators need to continue making big plays on special teams in order to boost an offense that lacks explosiveness. 

The Gators have ascended up the rankings this year due to a total team effort, and they'll need just that to take down the Gamecocks on Saturday.