Why the South Carolina Gamecocks beating Akron is so important for the program. The South Carolina Gamecocks are already two games into their conference schedule this year but in week four they are getting a bit of a breather.

The SEC has a new policy enforcing mandatory “availability reports” before every conference game. But because South Carolina is playing a non-conference foe, it did not need to disclosure any injury information and, thus, does not have to divulge Sellers’ true status.

Tune-up game: The Gamecocks committed 13 penalties in their first loss of the season last week. Two of those came at the cost of pick-sixes by USC’s defense, which would’ve won the game. Akron is a perfect opportunity for South Carolina to get right heading into its first of two bye weeks.