Favorable matchup as Gators push to get back on track

GAINESVILLE — Florida, losers of three of four games, looks to get on track and gain some momentum with first stop during a manageable November slate. Coming off a bye, South Carolina seeks a signature win under firstyear coach Shane Beamer. Beating even a struggling Gators’ squad would qualify.

The Gamecocks’ 21-20 win against Vanderbilt is offset by four SEC losses by an average margin of 22 points. Each of the last eight meetings between Florida and South Carolina has been decided by 14 or fewer points.

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium When: 7:30 p.m. TV: SEC Network Radio: ESPN FM 98.1/AM 850 WRUF, Sirius/XM Ch. 380 (XM)/970 (App) Weather: 52 degrees, 20% rain chance Favorite: Florida by 18 points Online: orlandosentinel.com/ gators; @osgators on Twitter. Quick slant: Florida coach Dan Mullen is 4-2 against South Carolina, including 3-0 with Gators.

The Gators have dropped three of their last five visits, but are 12-7-1 in Columbia. Coaches: Mullen, fourth season, 33-13 (102-59 overall); Beamer, first season, 4-4. About Florida (4-4, 2-4 SEC): The Gators have outgained every foe yet continue to be undone by mistakes. Opponents have scored 69 points off turnovers — Florida has 7 in two games. All eyes are on quarterback Anthony Richardson’s availability (concussion) as Mullen’s squad seeks positive signs for the future. The 19-year-old Richardson needs to be on the field to grow from a humbling, 3-turnover day against Georgia. Other than its collapse at LSU, Florida’s defense has been sneakily solid. LSU’s 454 yards are well above the Gators’ SEC average of 356 yards yielded. South Carolina averages 328. About South Carolina (4-4, 1-4): That former graduate assistant, Zeb Noland, has been the team’s starting QB sums up the state of the Gamecocks. The offense managed 15 total yards through 45 minutes of a 44-14 loss Oct. 23 at Texas A&M. Senior cornerback Jaylan Foster has been a bright spot with 5 interceptions for an otherwise dismal defense. The Gamecocks allow average of 33 points and score 15.6 points a game in SEC play. No easy answers or quick fixes exist in Beamer’s massive rebuild.

3 things to watch

■ Mullen. The Gators coach spent an uncomfortable week in the spotlight after a one-sided loss to Georgia, an incendiary comment Monday on recruiting and a subsequent shutdown of media access to players. Mullen’s game plan and his players’ effort level and attention to detail will be telling.

■ Florida’s pass rush. Todd Grantham gears his defense to get after quarterbacks. But the Gators have 1 sack in each of its past two games — losses to LSU and Georgia — to give them 2 2 . South Carolina has allowed 1 9 sacks, more than all but three SEC teams.

■Gators’ ground game. Florida still leads the SEC with an average of 6 .0 7 yards per carry, but the run game has slowed. Imposing their will on overmatched opponents in November is a winning formula. South Carolina is 1 1 th and Missouri — Florida’s Nov. 2 0 opponent — 1 4 th in SEC run defense.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK/AP Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson passed for just 82 yards on 20 attempts during a 34-7 loss to Georgia before leaving with a concussion, and his availability remains in doubt at South Carolina.