South Carolina @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2009 ) Florida 24, South Carolina 14

The playoffs are starting early in the Southeastern Conference.

Florida and South Carolina meet on Saturday at Gainesville, Fla., to determine the winner of the SEC's East Division.

If South Carolina wins, it would be the Gamecocks' first visit to the SEC championship game in Atlanta, while the Gators are seeking their third straight trip, and fourth in five years.

Both teams are 6-3, 4-3 SEC.

Less than a month ago, it looked as if Florida (6-3) had no chance of winning the division. The No. 24 Gators had lost three straight, including a blowout to Alabama and a home loss to Mississippi State. In those games, the Gators’ offense scored a combined 13 points. Conversely, South Carolina was on top of the division and coming off the biggest regular season win in school history, a 35-21 shellacking of then No. 1 Alabama.

But the No. 22 Gamecocks (4-3) are 2-2 since, including a loss to lowly Kentucky following the Alabama game.

Meanwhile, the Gators appeared to have worked out the kinks – and thrown in a few wrinkles - as coach Urban Meyer used the bye week to install a no-huddle offense.

In the two games since, Florida has scored 89 points, sparked by the play of wildcat quarterback Jordan Reed, freshman Trey Burton and the return of dynamic Chris Rainey. All three can line up at multiple positions, which poses a big problem for defenses.

In last week’s 55-14 victory over Vanderbilt, Florida racked up 480 yards on 88 plays, both season highs. The Gators' defense held the Commodores to 109 yards and forced three turnovers. The Gators are No. 1 in the country with 17 interceptions; South Carolina has nine turnovers in its last four games.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who won the Heisman Trophy as quarterback at Florida in 1966, won his first meeting with the Gators six years ago, but hasn’t been victorious since. South Carolina is 0-12 all-time at Florida.

The Gamecocks do have big-play ability with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who is fifth in the country with 1,034 yards and a robust 17.5 yards per catch. Quarterback Stephen Garcia has thrown for 2,065 yards and completed 67.7 percent of his passes. Marcus Lattimore leads the team with 752 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, but the talented freshman is coming off a season-low 30 yards on 11 carries against Arkansas.

Florida running back Jeff Demps is expected back after sitting out last week to rest a nagging foot injury. Kicker Caleb Sturgis (back) is questionable.

For South Carolina, center T.J. Johnson (knee) is questionable. Left tackle Jarriel King (concussion) and corner C.C. Whitlock (concussion) are questionable, but expected to play.