Game-day preview: Tennessee at South Carolina

Tennessee running back John Kelly tries to slip past South Carolina defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum during an SEC East matchup at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 14, 2017. Kelly is no longer with the Vols, but Wonnum is returning to the South Carolina lineup — he missed the past five games due to injury — as the Vols visit tonight.
Tennessee running back John Kelly tries to slip past South Carolina defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum during an SEC East matchup at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 14, 2017. Kelly is no longer with the Vols, but Wonnum is returning to the South Carolina lineup — he missed the past five games due to injury — as the Vols visit tonight.

TENNESSEE (3-4, 1-3 SEC) at SOUTH CAROLINA (3-3, 2-3)

7:30 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina

VIDEO & RADIO

SEC Network & 106.5 FM

THE MATCHUP

South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp wanted his players to "decompress" during their off week that followed a 26-23 home loss to Texas A&M on Oct. 13. Many thought the Gamecocks would be Georgia's top competition for the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division crown this season, but those hopes vanished quickly. South Carolina instead faces an uphill battle to match last season's 9-4 record. Fortunately for the Gamecocks, Muschamp is undefeated against Tennessee as a head coach at Florida and South Carolina. The Volunteers were destroyed by Alabama last week, but their best showings this year have come on the road. A Tennessee win would be a key jolt for its hopes of reaching six wins and bowl eligibility.

ONE TO WATCH

Watch out for South Carolina defensive end D.J. Wonnum, who returns to the lineup after missing five games with an ankle injury. Last season's team leader in sacks, Wonnum could provide a boost to a defense ranked 12th in the SEC in sacks. His return comes as the Vols grapple with the loss of sophomore left tackle Trey Smith. Doctors discovered blood clots in Smith's lungs Wednesday after he underwent six months of treatment for the same condition during the offseason. His indefinite absence will require the Vols to again shuffle an offensive line that has struggled this season, and being without Smith won't help. If Tennessee starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano continues to struggle before the snap to identify blitzes, Wonnum and the South Carolina pass rush could make this another painful game for him.

IN THE END

Pruitt pointed this out Monday, and he is correct: It's tough for opponents to win at South Carolina, especially at night. The Gamecocks have the benefit of an extra week's rest, while the Vols are adjusting to life without Smith and recovering from other injuries sustained in a 37-point loss to Alabama. But there is reason to believe Tennessee will finally start to see improvement in its running game after three straight matchups with elite defenses. If the Vols can contain South Carolina's host of perimeter playmakers, they have the offensive firepower to leave Columbia with their second SEC road win of the month.

PREDICTION

Tennessee 28, South Carolina 27

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