South Carolina’s focus better be sharp Saturday

COLUMBIA, S.C. — With two games to go in a season that will end without a bowl trip and with extensive changeover on the coaching staff, it would be easy for South Carolina players to check out mentally.So far that hasn’t happened. But this week poses a different challenge for the Gamecocks (3-7). With the opportunity looming large to ruin archrival Clemson’s season and salvage an accomplishment for theirs in next week’s finale, can they avoid looking past a dangerous FCS opponent?

After four SEC games under interim coach Shawn Elliott, all of which have been competitive until the end, South Carolina steps out of the FBS ranks to take on The Citadel (7-3). The Bulldogs — who already have…