No game is boring in the SEC. And this Saturday night in Columbia, Missouri, there’s going to be sparks. No. 23-ranked Tigers open their league slate under the primetime lights of ESPN against a South Carolina squad still nursing from a Vanderbilt stumble. The Mayor’s Cup is on the line, but this one’s bigger than the trophy. While No. 24 South Carolina’s QB situation has stolen the spotlight, it’s what Shane Beamer said about Mizzou’s offense that stirred attention. 

In his X post on September 17, Missouri insider Cody Goodwin shared Shane Beamer’s blunt appraisal of Eli Drinkwitz‘s operation. “Eli’s done a fantastic job,” he said. “Every year, the players change, but the system and efficiency they operate at doesn’t … they lost a lot from last year, but based on their first three games, they’re better than they were last year.” And that’s a warning shot, and Mizzou fans know exactly what he means. 

Last year, Missouri owned South Carolina. Five straight wins in the series, every single meeting between Eli Drinkwitz and Shane Beamer ending with the same result, with black and gold on top. Then came Columbia, S.C., 2023, when Luther Burden III seemingly iced it with a late touchdown, only for the Gamecocks to snatch it back with 15 seconds left. One swing, and suddenly the Mayor’s Cup stayed in South Carolina for the first time since 2018. Missouri hasn’t forgotten. And judging by the way they’ve started 2024, they’re circling this game.

The Tigers are 3-0, fresh off a 52-10 demolition of Louisiana-Lafayette. Even with QB Sam Horn sidelined on the very first snap of the season, Eli Drinkwitz’s squad never skipped a beat, thanks to Beau Pribula, the Penn State transfer who looks like the transfer-portal heist of the year. Through three games, he has been lights-out with 53 completions on 57 attempts, a ridiculous 76.4% accuracy rate, 791 yards, and seven passing touchdowns. On top of that, he added 76 rushing yards and three more scores with his legs. So, you can see why Columbia is buzzing. But Missouri’s not the only team bringing a headline QB into Saturday night. 

Shane Beamer and South Carolina have LaNorris Sellers

Eli Drinkwitz made it clear this week that his Tigers are preparing for LaNorris Sellers. And they should be. The South Carolina’s dual-threat playmaker may have exited last week’s win over Vanderbilt with what appeared to be a head injury, but all signs point to his return. “I anticipate LaNorris will play,” the Mizzou HC stated on Tuesday, almost daring Shane Beamer to prove him wrong. 

LaNorris Sellers is the kind of QB to be wary of. At 6-foot-3 with the ability to sling it downfield and punish defenses with his legs, he gives the Gamecocks an edge that no backup can replicate. In just 2.5 games this season, he’s thrown for 431 yards, added 45 on the ground, and accounted for three touchdowns. The stat line doesn’t scream Heisman, but the tape shows why Shane Beamer is building his offense around him and why Eli Drinkwitz’s defense is game-planning accordingly.

So here it is. An undefeated Missouri team out for revenge, a South Carolina squad desperate to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, and two QBs ready to put on a show under the lights. That’s SEC football at its finest.