Mizzou Faces South Carolina in Closely Contested SEC Football Showdown

Michigan State Spartans face the No. 25 USC Trojans in a Big Ten conference opener, with the Spartans coping with eight key player absences but benefiting from the return of leading receiver Nick Marsh and rusher Makhi Frazier. Michigan State, currently 3-0, is an underdog against the Trojans, who boast a high-powered offense averaging 55 points per game led by quarterback Jayden Maiava. Meanwhile, in SEC action, the Missouri Tigers host the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Mayor's Cup rivalry, with Missouri seeking to reclaim the trophy and improve their 3-0 record. The Gamecocks lead this season's matchup at halftime, 14-9, after a competitive first half featuring key plays and penalties affecting both teams' drives. Fan behavior remains a concern at Missouri games, with recent contests seeing multiple ejections mostly related to alcohol violations, and traffic management efforts are underway to handle game-day congestion. These games highlight important conference battles and ongoing challenges both on and off the field for Michigan State and Missouri programs.