What College GameDay said about South Carolina-Texas A&M

Every Saturday, College GameDay highlights the best matchups across the country. As usual, Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Rece Davis and Lee Corso made up the College GameDay team. Comedian Keegan-Michael Key later joined the show as a celebrity guest voter. Although GameDay took place in Happy Valley, where Penn State faced the rival Ohio State Buckeyes, there was a lot of talk about South Carolina-Texas A&M.

In the Pat McAfee Kicking Contest, once again, there was no one worse than the South Carolina sophomore from Week 3. A Penn State sophomore missed his attempts, but the kicks were much better than Gamecock's backwards field goal attempt . Then future Pro Football Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce (wearing Timberlands) missed two more shots wide left.

(See the Gamecock discussion on the Insiders forum!)

When discussing the College Football Playoff contenders early in the show, the GameDay crew admitted that South Carolina wasn't on the list, but that they could become a factor with a winning streak. Rece Davis also called today's matchup between the Gamecocks and Aggies a “tough” test for A&M. The entire panel agreed, with Pat McAfee adding to Davis' analysis, “particularly at night.”

Kirk Herbstreit and Nick Saban played an entire segment about Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and the Aggies' ground attack. Most in the college football world believe the athletic dual threat will start at QB tonight. The Aggies' ability to pull their offensive linemen will be an important factor in the run game against Carolina's defense. Thanks to the bye week, Saban believes Shane Beamer's team will do well against Reed and the A&M offense. Both analysts reinforced the point that the environment of Williams-Brice Stadium and the pass-rush duo of Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart will make it difficult for the rookie when it comes time to retire to play the football. Rece Davis chimed in after the segment that USC's ability to force turnovers meant Reed “better be careful.”

(Win two tickets to the South Carolina-Missouri football game)

When it came time for College GameDay picks, South Carolina-Texas A&M was one of the games featured. The Gamecocks were a popular surprise winner this week, but GameDay didn't really follow that trend. Desmond Howard chose Texas A&M in “a close game.” Nick Saban followed him with another pick for the Aggies. Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit also chose A&M. Celebrity guest Keegan-Michael Key was the only panelist to choose South Carolina.

South Carolina and Texas A&M begin at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Nine former Gamecock greats will also be inducted into the South Carolina Letterman Hall of Famers in front of a sellout crowd.