South Carolina is what LSU was supposed to be

This team expected better play at quarterback, but is defined by a power running game. This team has the best defensive line in college football, guided by two all-conference ends. This team has defensive backs who play the ball as well as anyone, but its secondary isn't afraid of stepping up and helping out against the run. This team might be Alabama's biggest threat in the SEC.

LSU?

Nope: South Carolina. Through one month and change, the Gamecocks are what we thought LSU would be – a big, tough, run-first offense teamed with a bullying defense.

After sweating out a 17-13 win over Vanderbilt to open the year, South Carolina had little difficulty dispatching with East Carolina, UAB, Missouri and Kentucky, the latter pair by 21 points apiece.

South Carolina owns a 35-0 lead over Georgia with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, ruling over one of its two SEC East rivals – Florida the other – by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

The Bulldogs gained 149 yards of total offense through three quarters. Aaron Murray, Georgia's Heisman contender, has completed 11 of 29 attempts for 109 yards. Murray has only been sacked twice, but that number is misleading.

South Carolina's defensive front seven, led by ends Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney, has owned Georgia's offensive front. When including the two sacks, Georgia has gained 40 yards on 26 carries.

The Gamecocks are firmly in control. And with LSU losing earlier today to Florida, South Carolina and the Gators look like the only two SEC teams capable of derailing Alabama's run to an undefeated season.

Florida looks good. South Carolina looks like what LSU was supposed to be. The Gamecocks look scary.

Come tomorrow, South Carolina will have its highest national ranking since 1982, when the Gamecocks moved as high as No. 2 in the polls.