South Carolina fans have waited six years for coach Steve Spurrier to carry the Gamecocks into the nation’s elite. This afternoon, the wait could end.
Could.
The 3-1 Gamecocks have a perfect scenario. They’re ranked 19th and get top-ranked Alabama (5-0) at home. The Crimson Tide is playing its third straight top-20 opponent and its young secondary faces a seasoned quarterback finally coming of age throwing to a receiver emerging as one of the best in the nation.
Only one problem. Nothing this season suggests anything else but that everyone else is playing for second place. Alabama is that good. It’s leading the country in scoring defense (9.0 points per game) and its lone weakness, an inexperienced secondary, is getting better every week.
It all means that Spurrier (38-29) could get a much-needed signature win at South Carolina.
He hasn’t had a truly big win since beating Florida 30-25 in 2005 — Urban Meyer’s first year at Florida, which wound up in the Outback Bowl.
Auburn severely exposed South Carolina’s rush defense, and Alabama has the best 1-2 tailback punch in the country. But Stephen Garcia, 16th nationally in pass efficiency (161.62), is finally having his breakout year, and 6-foot-4, 233-pound Alshon Jeffery is third nationally in receiving yards (124.5 per game).
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Colorado (3-1) at No. 24 Missouri (4-0)
5 p.m., Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo., FSN
Colorado has played OK — sometimes even well — against other spread offenses, but what’s the deal with Missouri? Since Dan Hawkins took over as coach, CU has lost four games to Missouri. “I don’t know what it is,” CU senior cornerback Jimmy Smith, left, said. “For some reason Missouri’s offense executes so well against us.” It is imperative, Smith said, that the Buffs get off to a good start tonight. This Missouri team showed some vulnerability in needing a long touchdown in the final minute to beat visiting San Diego State. But in recent years, Colorado hasn’t been able to keep it close.
Colorado State (1-4) at No. 25 Air Force (4-1)
noon, Falcon Stadium, MTN
Falcons fullback Jared Tew, left, can frustrate opponents by moving the chains and eating up the clock. He’s tough to stop on short yardage with a first down or a touchdown just ahead. Tew and the running game could make it tough on CSU and freshman quarterback Pete Thomas if there’s a healthy advantage in time of possession. CSU might make a game-day decision on the running back rotation. John Mosure,Chris Nwoke,Tony Drake and Leonard Mason worked with the first unit in practice this week. This is the first time CSU plays back-to-back ranked teams since No. 1 USC and No. 22 Minnesota in 2004.
CSU-Pueblo (5-0) at Colorado Mines (4-1)
noon, Campbell Field, Golden
This is a big conference matchup, with the RMAC’s two highest-scoring teams going for control of the league. ThunderWolves RB Jesse Lewis, left, continues his onslaught (119 yards rushing last week against Chadron). The junior from Loveland has a conference-high six rushing TDs. Mines linebacker Josh Ruff has been playing at a high level this season and last week was named the RMAC defensive player of the week after his 15 tackles in a 38-28 victory at Fort Lewis. The junior from Castle Rock leads the Orediggers with 41 tackles.
Northern Colorado (2-3) at Sacramento State (2-3)
3 p.m., Hornet Stadium
The Bears did not name a starting QB before heading to California, though sophomore Matt Baca appears to be the front-runner to replace the injured Dylan Orms (knee). Sacramento State enters the game with the worst pass defense in the Big Sky, giving up nearly 300 yards per game (298.8). UNC’s Jace Davis is proving to be one of the best big-play receivers in the conference, averaging 18 yards per catch to go along with a league-high four TD receptions. Patrick Walker has also shown his ability to make big plays for the Bears with an 11.2-yard average and three touchdowns.
Players to watch
Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
He strained a left thigh muscle and left briefly in last week’s win over Illinois. You can bet that 105,000 sets of eyes will be on Pryor’s every move against visiting Indiana, particularly since the No. 2 Buckeyes have a tough test next week at No. 20 Wisconsin. 10 a.m. today, ESPN
Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
The junior has developed into quite a leader. Foles has completed 74 percent of his passes and has become adept at late-game scoring drives.
5 p.m. today, Versus
Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
Going into today’s game against USC, Taylor is coming off 100-yard games (108 vs. Notre Dame; 113 at Oregon). 6 p.m. today, KMGH-7
