South Carolina vs. Arkansas: Is It a Preview of the 2012 SEC Championship Game?

It’s extremely rare that a game featuring two Top 10 SEC teams could fly this much under the radar, but unfortunately for No. 7 Arkansas and No. 9 South Carolina, they just so happen to be playing on the same night as one of the biggest regular-season games in college football history.

The LSU-Alabama game is the only matchup that most college football fans care about this weekend, which means ESPN probably shouldn’t expect huge ratings for the battle between the Hogs and ‘Cocks on Saturday night.

While the Tigers and the Tide may be the talk of the SEC this season, it could actually be Arkansas and South Carolina who are set to make the most noise in 2012—this may very well be a preview of next year’s SEC championship game.

That’s what makes this game so interesting and worth saving on the DVR for midnight viewing after the “Game of the Century.”

Both Arkansas and South Carolina have enjoyed great seasons this year, but both have also felt the stinging pain of losing star running backs.

Arkansas’ Knile Davis and South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore were expected to be in the running for the SEC rushing title with guys like Alabama’s Trent Richardson and Auburn’s Michael Dyer this year, but season-ending injuries have derailed those dreams—at least for this year.

The Razorbacks lost Davis in a preseason scrimmage, but they’ve relied on an explosive passing attack, led by emerging junior quarterback Tyler Wilson, to help mask their lack of a consistent ground game. So far, it’s worked nearly to perfection.

South Carolina, on the other hand, is still trying to figure out how to live life without Marcus Lattimore, who went down with a knee injury against Mississippi State in Week 7.

With both backs expected to make full returns next season, you have to like the future fortunes of both of these teams.

LSU and Alabama are both likely going to take considerable personnel hits as players leave early for the 2012 draft. Arkansas and South Carolina might just be on the rise and ready to compete for spots in Atlanta next season.

Both of these teams have quality developing quarterbacks in Tyler Wilson and Connor Shaw, who may be two of the best signal-callers in the SEC next season. In addition, there’s a lot of young talent on both defenses to get excited about.

So while LSU and Alabama will have their big moment on Saturday night, forcing Arkansas and South Carolina to take a backseat for now, don’t forget about these two teams—their time in the spotlight could be coming soon.

Even without Davis and Lattimore suiting up, don’t be surprised if this game turns out to be just as exciting, if not more exciting, than the big showdown between the SEC's two top dogs.