COLUMBIA — South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer remembers his senior year at Virginia Tech in 1999 when the undefeated Hokies were featured on ESPN's "College GameDay."

Now for the eighth time in program history, and first time since 2014, South Carolina is on ESPN's Saturday morning three-hour pregame show.

"I told our players it's a testament to them and LSU that (ESPN's crew) want to be part of this thing," Beamer said.

On Saturday, the Gamecocks (2-0, 1-0 SEC), host No. 17 LSU (1-1) in Williams-Brice Stadium (12:12 p.m. ET, ABC), for the Tigers' first SEC game of the year.

Here's what to know about the matchup:

South Carolina defensive line vs LSU offensive line

The Gamecocks have two of the best edge rushers in college football, but face two of the best offensive tackles on Saturday.

Kyle Kennard, a transfer edge rusher from Georgia Tech, leads the Gamecocks and the SEC with 3.5 sacks.

South Carolina freshman Dylan Stewart, who has 2.5 sacks, has also electrified the defense, breaking through triple-team coverage with ease.

The two have four combined forced fumbles but Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. are an elite duo for the Tigers (1-1). Campbell has only allowed three sacks in his three-year career and LSU hasn't allowed a sack this season. Last week, Kentucky QB Brock Vandagriff was sacked four times by South Carolina.

It'll may be a pass rush nightmare for LSU, but working through the Tigers' offensive line is a tall task for South Carolina.

South Carolina football has the momentum, LSU has the experience

The Gamecocks snuck by Old Dominion in Week 1, and now South Carolina is coming off a huge 31-6 road win over Kentucky.

LSU's season started a bit differently. Week 1, the Tigers lost in the final seconds to Southern Cal, resulting in lots of emotion from coach Brian Kelly. In Week 2, LSU played a much less intense game and defeated Nicholls, 44-21.

"GameDay" in Columbia shifts the energy around campus, and combine that with a noon kickoff on the road, momentum isn't leaning in the Tigers' direction.

However, the Tigers dominate the overall series 19-2, and it's been 30 years since the Gamecocks last beat LSU. The program's extensive resume speaks for itself and the 2024 Tigers are nationally ranked for a reason.

South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers vs LSU's Garrett Nussmeier

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had six touchdowns and 302 yards in Week 2. In Week 1, he threw for 308 yards. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers finished 11-for-15 for 159 yards with two touchdowns last week, with zero passing touchdowns in Week 1.

The Tigers' average 311 passing yards per game compared to South Carolina's 143.5, but the Gamecocks' run game is a bit more cohesive. South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders has two rushing touchdowns, and LSU is without running back, John Emery, who tore his ACL last week.

SELLERS' ARM IMPROVES: What changed for LaNorris Sellers and sparked South Carolina's big win vs Kentucky

South Carolina score prediction vs LSU

Prediction: Will South Carolina rise to the occasion or will LSU continue its dominance? Signs point to this being the Gamecocks' year. South Carolina 20, LSU 17.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina-LSU score prediction for 'College GameDay' in Columbia