South Carolina sits at 2-2 coming into Saturday's home tilt with Troy. The Gamecocks offense has been held to 20 or fewer points in all three games vs FBS opponents this season. Troy comes in at 2-2 as well after a loss last week to UL-Monroe. The Sun Belt Conference has won four games vs SEC schools since 2016. One of those losses, was when South Carolina fell at home to Appalachian State in 2019. Perhaps the most shocking "Sun Belt Special" came when Troy went to Baton Rouge in 2017 and spoiled LSU's homecoming.
South Carolina Head Coach Shane Beamer spoke during the SEC Teleconference Wednesday. Beamer noted Troy's win over LSU and their history of playing spoiler.
Troy's defense has some pieces, D-Tackle Will Choloh has 3.5 sacks from the interior line spot in four games. Corner Zion Williams has two picks in four games and LB Carlton Martial leads the team with 32 tackles. However, their most dangerous defensive player is Bandit End Javon Solomon. He was Honorable Mention All Sun Belt last season. Solomon has 5.5 sacks through four games this season. Beamer said Wednesday in the SEC teleconference that Solomon has been a focal point for them in practice this week. (Beamer's comments are below the next paragraph)
South Carolina hosts Troy at 3:30 Saturday. The game is crucial for South Carolina in terms of the overall season. The Gamecocks visit "Rocky Top" next week to take on Tennessee and then host Vandy on October 16th. This is a stretch of winnable games prior to a 2nd half slate for South Carolina that includes at Texas A&M, home dates with Florida, Mizzou, Auburn and Clemson. For Beamer's bunch to go .500 or better this season, they have to take care of Troy and avoid the "Sun Belt Special".
