East Carolina, from Conference USA, was 6-7 last year, reaching a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season. The Pirates were very good on offense, ranking 16th in the nation in points per game and eighth in passing yards per game behind returning QB Dominique Davis, who threw for 3,967 yards and 37 touchdowns. But the Pirates were a joke on defense, ranking second-to-last in the country in allowing 44.0 ppg. In their final six games, of which they lost five (including bowl), ECU allowed an obscene 54.2 points per game. The school has lost seven straight games when scoring 20 or less points. But it has split its past six games vs. ranked opponents.

South Carolina was blown out in the SEC title game by Auburn and then lost to Florida State in a bowl game to finish 9-5. The Gamecocks have the best running back (Marcus Lattimore) and receiver in the SEC (Alshon Jeffery). The main question is at quarterback. Spurrier said he might not announce whether Stephen Garcia, a senior who has started 30 games in his career, or sophomore Connor Shaw will take the first snap until later today. Spurrier said it doesn't matter who starts, because both players will play for a few possessions in the first half.

South Carolina leads this series 10-5. The programs last met Sept. 18, 1999 at Williams-Brice Stadium where East Carolina posted a 21-3 victory.

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