The Mayor’s Cup is usually a battle for bragging rights. But this year, it’s different. On one sideline, Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri is sitting pretty with 3-0, rested off a bye, and ranked No. 23 in the nation. On the other hand, Shane Beamer‘s South Carolina squad is limping into Columbia, Missouri, fresh off a 31-7 loss to Vanderbilt. But right now, the focus is on the status of the man at the center. LaNorris Sellers, the dual-threat QB who left the last game with a concussion. Without him, the Gamecocks managed just 184 yards, three turnovers, and zero pulse offensively. Backup Luke Doty looked overwhelmed, and the Commodores stole the SEC spotlight again. So, is Sellers coming back?

According to the SEC’s latest availability report on September 17, LaNorris Sellers is trending upwards. And that’s to suit up for Saturday’s game against Missouri as he’s currently “being listed as probable in the SEC’s latest availability report” alongside DB DQ Smith and WR Mazeo Bennett Jr. Two key Gamecocks – TE Michael Smith and DB Judge Collier – are out. Missouri also has its own injuries to monitor, with K Blake Craig, QB Sam Horn, and OL Logan Reichert ruled out. But Tiger fans can breathe a little easier as OL Cayden Green is probably going to return.

Shane Beamer hasn’t exactly enjoyed the conspiracy chatter around LaNorris Sellers’ role in the offense. This week, he flatly denied the idea that South Carolina was limiting the QB’s running ability, saying decisions are dictated by RPO reads, not coaching handcuffs. Still, the eye test doesn’t lie. The QB’s legs are what tilt the field, and without them, the Gamecocks look flat. Missouri knows it. Vegas knows it. That’s why Vegas continues to lean black and gold. The Tigers opened as a 12.5-point favorite, and even with the line sliding to 11.5, oddsmakers are still signaling a two-score gap between these rosters. 

Missouri, meanwhile, is rolling. They’ve built a 24-5 record dating back to 2023, and through three games this fall, they’ve outscored opponents 155-47. That’s an average margin of 36 points per game. QB Beau Pribula, the Penn State transfer, has been the real hero, racking up 791 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 76% completion rate, plus three rushing scores while averaging more than 25 yards on the ground. His nearly nine yards per attempt tell the story of how efficient and explosive he can be. That’s the difference between a program humming and one still searching for rhythm. 

Missouri brings a tough test for Shane Beamer 

Defensively, Missouri has been a tale of two units. Against the pass, they’ve been suffocating, limiting opponents to just 48% of throws and averaging a pedestrian 5.6 yards per attempt. Their secondary is giving quarterbacks nightmares, allowing only two passing touchdowns in three games. But the run defense is where cracks show. The Tigers sit 94th nationally in rush success rate allowed, which means opponents are finding daylight on early downs and staying on schedule. 

The stat screams vulnerability, but it only matters if the other team has the personnel to exploit it. That’s why LaNorris Sellers’ health is so pivotal. His legs are the Gamecocks’ best shot at keeping this game within striking distance. And if he isn’t 100%, South Carolina’s run game drops from dangerous to pedestrian. Last week versus Vanderbilt, they managed just 64 rushing yards total. That’s not going to cut it against a Missouri front seven that plays downhill and feasts when an offense becomes predictable.

South Carolina’s defense, which lost too many veterans last offseason, is allowing 6.1 yards per play and hasn’t generated consistent pressure. Against Beau Pribula’s poise and Missouri’s veteran offensive line, that’s a mismatch waiting to be exploited.