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Homecoming Test: No. 16 Florida Hosts South Carolina Saturday at 12:45 p.m.

8 hours ago
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No. 16 Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC) gets its chance to answer the 45-17 loss at Missouri on Saturday, when South Carolina (2-3, 0-3 SEC) visits Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for Homecoming. Kickoff is 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Florida opened as a 14.5-point favorite, according to ESPN's game preview.

The matchup, by the numbers

Florida's offense averages 491.2 yards and 46.2 points per game, fifth in the FBS in scoring, ESPN's numbers show. The defense is the concern. It allows 393 yards per game (107th in the FBS), including 266.6 through the air (128th), and 27.2 points per game (104th). The Gators rank 27th in turnover margin at plus-4.

South Carolina averages 491 yards and 37.6 points per game and leans on the run. Its 256 rushing yards per game rank seventh in the FBS. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has thrown for 1,059 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions, and Matthew Fuller leads the Gamecocks with 433 rushing yards on 71 carries. South Carolina is minus-6 in turnover margin, 130th in the FBS.

The Gamecocks come in off a 35-34 loss to Kentucky on Oct. 3. Sellers ran 17 times for 147 yards in that game, ESPN reported.

Florida's leaders

Quarterback Aaron Philo has 1,114 passing yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 69.4 percent. Jadan Baugh leads the team with 613 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, though Missouri held him to 13 yards on 12 carries. Dallas Wilson has 302 receiving yards on 18 catches and three touchdowns.

Availability

Coach Jon Sumrall said safety Bryce Thornton, a game-time scratch at Missouri because of a soft tissue injury, might be available against South Carolina, ESPN reported.

What's next

After South Carolina, Florida plays at No. 1 Texas on Oct. 17, according to ESPN. South Carolina hosts No. 15 Tennessee on Oct. 24.

Source: ESPN game preview and reporting by Mark Schlabach.

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