SEC Football: Bowl Season Primer, Predictions, and Viewing Guide

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Oct 9, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Terry Googer (5) makes a catch during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Georgia wins 28-14 over South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Birmingham Bowl

USF Bulls vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

When: December 29th at 2 PM Eastern Time

Where: Birmingham, Alabama

Venue: Legion Field

Watch: ESPN and ESPN3

First year Gamecock head coach Will Muschamp, behind a signature win at home against an erratic Tennessee team, steered his team into a bowl game. South Carolina was picked to finish last in the dreadful SEC East, but had the luxury of games against Missouri, Western Carolina, and Massachusetts.

After going through several quarterbacks, the Gamecocks settled on freshman Jake Bentley. He played well, completing 63 percent of hiss pass for six touchdowns and two interceptions. He wasn’t asked to do too much, as the running game was the focal point of the offense.

USF, who recently hired former Texas head coach Charlie Strong, finished the season 10-2 under the lead of Willie Taggert. Taggert has since left for the Oregon. Interim head coach T.J. Weist is expected to be in charge for the bowl.

Quarterback Quinton Flowers, another dual threat signal caller, will lead the offense. He accounted for 37 touchdowns in the regular season and will look to add to that total in the Birmingham Bowl.