QB Connor Shaw: Steve Spurrier recently stated that Shaw was the best quarterback
in the history of the Gamecocks program. It is hard to argue that fact, as he has a
school-record 26 victories and has completed 158 of 259 passes for 2,135 yards with 21
touchdowns and one interception this season. He is a winner and makes very few
mistakes.
DE Jadeveon Clowney: Clowney is one game away from being
a very wealthy man. Soon after the game, he will hurry to declare
for the upcoming NFL draft, but what does that mean for this
game? Wisconsin understands a motivated and hungry Clowney
spells trouble for quarterback Joel Stave. However, there is also
the possibility he will play in a way to minimize the risk of injury.
Clowney is a genetic freak, and this will be his final college
football game.
RB Mike Davis: The sophomore running back became the eighth player in South
Carolina history to gain more than 1,000 yards in a season and should be a legitimate
Heisman Trophy candidate in 2014. Davis, however, was set for an even bigger season
until he started struggling with multiple minor injuries and only produced 76 yards over
the Gamecocks’ final three games of the season, including one he sat out. However,
Davis should be healthy once again after some time off to rest his body.
DT Kelcy Quarles: There was not a more productive defensive tackle in the SEC this
season than Quarles, who registered 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, leading the
league at his position. He will be battling Ryan Groy most of the game, and one of those
two players is going to see an increase in their draft stock.
WR Bruce Ellington: Most players use the time off before the bowl game to recover
from bruises and scrapes that have accumulated during the regular season. Not
Ellington, who leads the Gamecocks with 635 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Instead, the two-sport standout will join the Gamecocks basketball team, where he
plays point guard. Ellington will be back in football mode for the Capital One Bowl, and
the Gamecocks will need him at his best.