COLUMBIA, Mo. — Here comes the bellwether.

No. 23 Missouri’s game Saturday against South Carolina is an important one for a few reasons. It’s the Southeastern Conference opener for the Tigers (3-0), who’ll host a group of Gamecocks (2-1) potentially reeling from a resounding home loss to Vanderbilt last weekend.

It’s also a trophy game, with the Mayor’s Cup — so named because both universities are in cities called Columbia — on the line.

And Mizzou will go up against a mobile quarterback once again, plus one of the nation’s best defensive ends.

After going 20-18 in its first three years under coach Shane Beamer, South Carolina broke out last season to a 9-3 regular-season showing behind the play of quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who was deemed the SEC’s best freshman. The Gamecocks were

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