Final predictions for South Carolina at Oklahoma: Key matchups, storylines and more

Oct. 30—NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma is favored because the game is at its place and its defense is ranked second in the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina is the hot team, knocking off two teams ranked in the top-16 (at the time), with one of them on the road. Plus, the last time the Gamecocks went to Norman, it was their defense that ruled the day.So what happens Saturday? Neither team is going to make the College Football Playoff without winning out and getting a few breaks, but neither coach is too far off the hot seat to just take it easy.Also ... which team shows up? The Oklahoma team that beat Texas or lost to Michigan? The USC team that has won two straight or the one that blew two double-digit leads against Mississippi State and Kentucky?Key playersSouth CarolinaQB LaNorris Sellers. He's found himself the past two games and had one of the "how did he DO that?" plays of the century against Tennessee. He lasted against the Volunteers' pass rush; can he do the same against Oklahoma's? And will Brent Venables assign a "spy" for him, as Tennessee did with Qua Moss for most of the final three quarters to great success?Edge Dylan Stewart. He made the only play he had to against Tennessee and was great against Florida. Who's betting on three in a row?OklahomaQB John Mateer. He played his best game of the season against Mississippi State and is going against a defense known to be porous.OL Michael Fasusi. The protector of Mateer's blind side returned from injury last week. Was that the reason Mateer was so effective and can he hold off Stewart and the Gamecocks' other edges?Key matchupMateer vs. the USC secondary. The Gamecocks won last week, but lost in the ether was how many coverage busts they allowed, many of which were called back due to Tennessee penalties (plus three touchdowns). Mateer has his protection back, so if the Gamecocks' defensive line can't get to him, he'll be free to cast against a group that has not been good this year.Key storylineFans are still wondering how good Oklahoma is, losing to Michigan, Georgia and Kentucky and its most notable win against a Texas squad that is offensively challenged. The Sooners are expected to beat a USC team that has won two straight, and a win wouldn't necessarily answer the question ... but a loss may finalize the discussion if giving Venables an extension just before the season began was wise.Final prediction: Oklahoma 24, South Carolina 17Venables won't want to be humiliated again on his home turf like he was in 2024. He'll spy on Sellers and force him to win it with his arm, trusting his secondary to make the plays, and then pop his voice in the offensive headsets and say, "Boys, I know a bad secondary when I see it" so he can scheme up some plans for them. USC's chutzpah and early drive success will keep it close, but I think the winning streak stops here.Follow David Cloninger on X @DCPandC. Want the latest updates on Gamecock athletics sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Gamecocks Now!