The Gators lead the all-time series, 23-4-3. The Gators and the Gamecocks rarely played each other before Carolina joined the SEC in 1992. Since then they have played every year, but the Gamecocks have only beaten Florida one time in SEC play. That was back in 2005. The Gamecocks have never beaten Florida in Gainesville (the site of today's game), where they are 0-12. Usually, this game is little more than a speed bump for a Florida team zooming toward bigger games against Florida State and the SEC title game.
This is the second time this fixture has served as a UCFC game. Last year, the Gators took the title with them to Columbia, and kept it with a 24-14 win over the Gamecocks.
This is the most important game ever between the two teams. Both teams are tied for first place in the SEC East with a record of 4-3. Whoever wins this game, therefore, will take the SEC East crown and play for the conference championship. Since the SEC went to two divisions in 1992, only three teams have ever won the SEC East: Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Add in the fact that Carolina is coached by Steve Spurrier, probably the most famous coach in Florida's history, and you can see that this is a big deal.
Having said that, I don't think this game is really going to be that close. Carolina really hasn't played very well since they beat Alabama a few weeks ago, and the Gators have been rolling in recent weeks. I'm picking the Gators by at least 10.
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