Oklahoma is getting one of the hottest teams in the SEC when South Carolina arrives in Norman on Saturday afternoon.
Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. on SEC Network, and the matchup comes with both teams riding momentum from last week. South Carolina knocked off Tennessee at Williams-Brice Stadium, while Oklahoma improved to 4-3 overall with a road win at Mississippi State. It will be only the second time these programs have met, with each side taking one of the first two games: the Gamecocks won in Norman two years ago, and the Sooners answered in Columbia last season.
That backdrop set the tone for what Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle had to say earlier in the week. Both coaches spent plenty of time sizing up South Carolina’s defense and offense, and neither sounded eager to downplay the challenge.
Venables opened by pointing to the Gamecocks’ run of strong performances and the balance they bring on offense. He called them “as hot of a team in our conference right now as there is in South Carolina” and praised Shane Beamer, the staff and the roster around LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart.
He also highlighted the numbers that jump off the page. South Carolina is leading the SEC in rushing offense at more than 220 yards per game, has converted 10 of 16 fourth-down tries and is averaging just under 500 yards a game. Venables said the Gamecocks have been “lights out on third and fourth down” and described their front seven on defense as one of the best in college football.
“They've got good players. They know what they're doing.
They're physical. They're long.
They're fast,” Venables said.
His breakdown of South Carolina’s skill talent was just as direct. Venables mentioned Nyck Harbor’s speed and size, Mazeo Bennett’s role as a frequent touch player, and tight end Maurice Brown II as a “tough, physical, super athletic” weapon. He said the combination of the run game, play-action passing and downfield shots forces a defense to stay alert every snap.
“Because of the dynamic ability of their playmakers, you got to know where everybody is.”
Arbuckle delivered a similar message from the offensive side, calling South Carolina “a really talented football team” and stressing how much continuity the Gamecocks have on defense under Clayton White. He noted that White has been there for six years and said the system fits the players perfectly.
Arbuckle saved special praise for Stewart, who has made his presence felt in limited action. “I mean, he's an incredible talent.
Nothing but respect and awe for the way that he plays football,” Arbuckle said. He added that Stewart has three forced fumbles in four games and can “wreck a game if you let him.”
Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator made it clear the Sooners can’t afford to focus on just one defender, though. He said South Carolina’s front seven as a whole demands attention and that the group plays “football the right way,” with speed, physicality and a system they know inside and out.
For Oklahoma, the challenge is obvious. South Carolina arrives in Norman with a win over Tennessee, a dangerous rushing attack and a defense Venables and Arbuckle both singled out as one of the toughest they’ll see.
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