Florida vs South Carolina: Why Gamecocks Are in Must-Win Mode Against Gators

The South Carolina Gamecocks SEC East hopes rest on this weekend's game with the Florida Gators.

After the Gamecocks loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks last week, they surrendered their division lead to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Now South Carolina has lost the right to control their own destiny, but hope is not lost.

This team has fought through an injury to their best player in Marcus Lattimore and a much publicized departure of starting quarterback Stephen Garcia.

Head coach Steve Spurrier will not allow this team to give up after coming so far, especially heading into a matchup with his former team.

5. South Carolina Is Finally Playing a Home Game

The Gamecocks have been on the road for three straight games, and that can wear on a football team.

That was seen in South Carolina's Nov. 12 loss to Arkansas.

Returning home after that loss can rejuvenate the Gamecocks, but it can also give them a must-win mentality.

No team wants to lose back-to-back games and let down their home crowd in the process.

Every game should be approached with a must-win mentality, but this week it will be readily apparent in the play of the Gamecocks.

4. They Have Never Won Six SEC Games

South Carolina joined the SEC 19 years ago and yet has never won six games within the conference.

A win over the Gators would accomplish this task, as well as give the Gamecocks their first back-to-back wins over Florida since the 1930s.

In a season where the team has fallen under so much misfortune due to injury and suspension, it would be nice to rally around a goal or purpose.

Winning six games in the toughest conference in the country could provide South Carolina with just such a rallying point after a tough loss to Arkansas.

Throw in the fact that Steve Spurrier is the former head coach of Florida, and this is a game the Gamecocks will almost certainly get up for.

3. A Loss Here Sets Cocky Up Poorly for Clemson

South Carolina knows what game lurks right around the corner.

In three short weeks, in-state rival Clemson will travel to Williams-Brice Stadium.

Teams are not supposed to look ahead, but a loss to Florida would be devastating for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina will likely blow out The Citadel next week, but that kind of win does not provide much to really stimulate a team.

The Gamecocks need to beat Florida for any kind of momentum to build up for the "Battle of the Palmetto State."

2. Brandon Wilds Needs to Prove Himself

For all of Florida's shortcomings they have been decent against the run this season.

The Gators rank fourth in the SEC, allowing 123 rushing yards per game.

Brandon Wilds has a great chance to prove his abilities in an important conference showdown.

Wilds was largely ineffective last week against the Razorbacks. He ran for 21 yards on just 10 carries.

Trying to emerge from the shadow of the injured Marcus Lattimore is no easy task, but if Wilds has a good week, then it will give South Carolina the balance they need to compete against Clemson and play a potential SEC Championship Game.

1. South Carolina's SEC East Window Is Closing

Losing to Arkansas meant that the Gamecocks surrendered their SEC East lead to the Georgia Bulldogs.

South Carolina now must rely on the Bulldogs to lose to either Auburn or Kentucky in order to claim their second consecutive division title.

A loss to Florida would all but eliminate the Gamecocks from contention.

What benefits South Carolina is that the Gators have lost eight straight games to nationally ranked teams, and their 26 points per game average ranks 72nd in the nation.

This is not an easy matchup.

Florida has great playmakers in Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, but the Gators do not have nearly as much on the line as the Gamecocks.