KNOXVILLE — Tennessee kicks off the 2020 season at South Carolina on Saturday.
After beating Will Muschamp for the first time ever in 2019, the Vols will have another crack at him on the road.
South Carolina was reeling at the end of the 2019 season. After an overtime upset at Georgia, the Gamecocks lost five of its last six games to close out the season, including a 41-21 second-half drubbing at the hands of Tennessee. South Carolina’s defense allowed 29 points per game over that span, finishing 4-8.
The Gamecocks lost standout wide receiver Bryan Edwards and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to the 2020 NFL draft, but return plenty of talent to a 2020 roster that hopes to bounce back from a dreadful end to the season.
Shi Smith moves into the No. 1 receiver role for his senior season, a player Tennessee fans might remember from the first play from scrimmage against South Carolina in 2019, when Ryan Hilinski connected with him for a 75-yard touchdown.
At quarterback, graduate transfer Collin Hill gets the start despite Hilinski’s impressive outing during his freshman campaign. Hill comes to Columbia with new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. He spent time in Bobo’s system at Colorado State.
South Carolina received tough news on the injury front earlier in the offseason, when former 4-star running back MarShawn Lloyd was declared out for the season with a torn ACL. Despite being only a freshman, Lloyd was expected to carry the load for the Gamecocks’ backfield.
Tennessee and South Carolina kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST in Columbia, with the game being televised by SEC Network.