In a press conference Friday, head football coach Tom O’Brien talked about his starting line-up against South Carolina this Thursday night.

Toney Baker, who missed the last two seasons with a knee injury, will start against the Gamecocks. According to O’Brien, Baker edged out Jamelle Eugene with hard work in the preseason.

“Any position on the depth chart was a position was won during spring training and summer camp,” O’Brien said.

“Jamelle’s come off shoulder surgery and has worked his way back in and I think he’ll be as effective as he always is. It’s a good position to be in, having two running backs of that caliber.”

Right guard R.J. Mattes and cornerback C.J. Wilson, both redshirt freshmen, have joined him on the starting roster.

O’Brien seemed only mildly concerned with the team’s weakness at secondary, saying time would tell if that would turn into a worrisome issue.

“I think we’re very athletic; what we’re lacking is experience,” O’Brien said. “The only thing you can do is get into the football game and play.”

If all goes according to plan, Mike Glennon will see significant game time at some point against South Carolina.

“We’ll figure it out as the week goes on. Generally, somewhere in the second quarter, he’ll go in, whether it’s a set number of series or a field thing, but he’ll definitely play in a meaningful situation somewhere in the second quarter,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien expects to see a different team, at least offensively, in South Carolina from the one that sank State a year ago in both teams’ season openers, 34-0.

“They led their conference last year and it’s pretty much intact,” O’Brien said. “Offensively they have all new coaches so we’re not really sure of what they’re doing. The passing game won’t change much.”