South Carolina vs. Mississippi State: Info, Line, BCS Impact and Prediction

South Carolina (5-1, 3-1) looks to continue their winning ways in the SEC as they travel to Mississippi to take on SEC conference member Mississippi State (3-3, 0-3). The Gamecocks come into this game after dismissing their senior quarterback, Stephan Garcia from their team.

Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Mississippi State, Mississippi

When: Saturday, Oct. 15 at 12:20. EDT

Watch: SEC Network, ESPN-3.com and ESPN Gameplan 

Listen: WWZQ-AM (Mississippi State) or WISW-AM (South Carolina)

Betting Line: South Carolina -3

Who Might Not Play For South Carolina: LT Kyle Nunn

Nunn missed last week's game with a ruptured disk in his back. He is not expected to play in this game either. 

Who Might Not Play for Mississippi State: None on the report. 

Key Storyline: How does the South Carolina team react to the dismissal of Garcia?

Quarterback Stephan Garcia started this year on the bench due to a coaching decision. The team started out slow in that first game until Garcia came in to spark the team to life. He took the starting job back from that point forward, that is until last week against Kentucky, when Garcia was benched for Conner Shaw. 

Multiple reports are out linking the suspension to Garcia's substance abuse.

BCS Implications

For South Carolina, they still are in the driver's seat for the SEC East Division and with one loss still have a great shot to make the BCS Championship game. They cannot afford a slip up this week against the Bull Dogs. 

South Carolina Player to Watch: RB Marcus Lattimore

Lattimore is the leader on this South Carolina offense now that Garcia is no longer there. He has the ability to take over a game if his offensive line can open up holes for him to run through. South Carolina can control the game against Mississippi State with Lattimore getting the ball 30-40 times.

Mississippi State Player to Watch: RB Vick Ballard

Ballard, like Lattimore, is the key to the Mississippi State offense on Saturday. If Ballard finds holes to run through on Saturday it will lead to a Mississippi State upset over the Bulldogs. 

Key Matchup: WR Alshon Jeffery vs. CB Johnthan Banks  

This is a match up between two of the best at their positions in the SEC. As Banks has 11 interceptions in his career at MSU and Jeffery will be a go-to target for quarterback Conner Shaw.

As much as Mississippi State has progressed this year, they still cannot beat the better teams in the SEC. This shortcoming by the Bulldogs is the reason why South Carolina will continue their march to their first SEC championship.

Prediction: South Carolina 38 - Mississippi State 17