Oct. 11, 2012

The third-ranked University of South Carolina Gamecock football team practiced Thursday afternoon at the Bluff Road “Proving Grounds” in Columbia.

The Gamecocks (6-0, 4-0 SEC) will be putting their FBS-leading 10-game winning streak on the line when they travel to Baton Rouge to face the No. 9 LSU Tigers (5-1, 1-1 SEC) on Saturday night. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN with Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action and Heather Cox working the sidelines. Game time is set for 8 p.m. ET at Tiger Stadium.

Following Thursday’s practice, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said that both cornerback Akeem Auguste and defensive tackle Byron Jerideau practiced on Thursday and would be available for Saturday’s game. Both suffered ankle sprains in last week’s rout of Georgia. “I don’t know if they’re quite 100 percent, but I think they’re close,” said Ward. However, Ward indicated that J.T. Surratt would likely get the start in Jerideau’s spot. “I know Akeem will play,” continued Ward. “(Defensive line coach) Brad (Lawing) will determine whether Jerideau will play, but I’m sure he’s going to play.”

LSU has had some issues on its offensive line this season due to injury, but Ward does not think that will be a factor in the game. “LSU has a lot of great players, just like playing Alabama. They got 15, 16, 17 offensive linemen that can play. They’re going to be big, physical guys who are going to come off and hit us in the mouth. If we’re not ready for that kind of football game, we’re fooling ourselves.”

Ward thinks that defensively, the outcome will be pretty simple to determine. “The bottom line is going to come down to if we can control our gap and tackle, then we’re going to have a chance to win the ballgame. If we don’t, it’s going to be a long night for us.”

The Gamecocks will have their walk-thru on Friday afternoon before leaving for Baton Rouge.