SEC Football Preview: Vanderbilt @ South Carolina

The Vanderbilt Commodores (2-3) will travel to South Carolina to face the Gamecocks(2-4) on Saturday. This will be the first game for the Gamecocks without head coach Steve Spurrier, who resigned on Monday. Offensive Coordinator Shawn Elliot has assumed head coaching duties for the Gamecocks.

“We’ve just tried to take a positive approach to it as much as we can. Losing a head coach like Coach Spurrier is never easy,” Elliot said.

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason also shared his thoughts about the Head Ball Coach.

“When you talk about Coach Spurrier you talk about one of the best coaches to ever coach college football,” Mason said. “He’s touched every facet of what college football is.”

There is a silver lining for the Gamecocks as quarterback Connor Mitch has returned to practice and will be available, according to Elliot. Mitch missed the last four games after separating his shoulder and battling a hip infection.

Vanderbilt, who is 2-1 in their last three games, are coming off a productive bye week according to Coach Mason.

“We’ve had an opportunity to rest, get healthy and prepare for South Carolina,” Mason said. “It’s been a good week for us to get back to fundamentals and basics.”

Both teams are looking for their first SEC win and history favors South Carolina. The Gamecocks have beaten the Commodores in 20 of their 24 meetings.

Kickoff is set for 4 P.M. and will be shown on the SEC Network.