Thanks for the stats Atl4tigerfan....some interesting ones in there. As a gamecock alumni and tix holder, I am excited about our team this year but not getting overconfident. SC has not been tested yet. Southern Miss and Furman weren't quite SEC type caliber teams and it's a down year for UGA.....not to mention all 3 were in Columbia.
Lattimore is a promising player for this year and the future but UGA's defense played horrible and tried to arm tackle him all day (not gonna work with a back that keeps his shoulders square and gets low when running......spurrier along with several other analysts say his running "style" reminds them of Emmitt Smith - low and straight ahead).
We have a lot of weapons on offense with Jeffrey, Gurley, Lattimore, and Ace Sanders to mix up the play calling but once again, no real defensive test yet. I think that starts Sat night @ Auburn. These guys are freshman and sophmores and Garcia is a Junior so it looks really promising especially for next year's season. There are only 16 seniors (7 starters - 4 linemen, 1 DB, 1 FB, and our kicker...other 9 dont hardly play) out of 99 on roster.
SC has potential to make a run for the East this year and would probably play Bama in SEC champ. if that happened but there are many games between now and then.......inc. @UK, Ark, Tenn, and @ FL.
I think we see what SC is made of this weekend against the Tigers. Should be a physical game and Auburn is tough at home in night games. It will definitely be loud in there and with ESPN's Primetime spot, both teams are looking to show the nation what they're made of. I'm glad Auburn pulled it out against Clemson. We did not want to play them coming off a primetime home loss to a non conference team.
SC defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson will put 8 men in the box to slow down Dyer and McCalebb. They will man up on Adams, Zachery, & Carr with any combination of Culliver - SR, Gilmore - SO, Auguste - JR, Holloman - SO, Whitlock - JR, & Jeffery - FR (4 b/w 6'1" - 6'4" tall). SC defense will make Newton beat them in the air and these 6 guys can flat out play. Clemson D-line pushed Auburn O-line around pretty good last week (except for 3rd Q of course). SC line is even better and should force 3rd and long often and keep Newton under pressure. Newton has great feet but pressure and secondary could cause bad decisions and/or turnovers. Clemson had 1 bad quarter which cost them the game. Newton was 7-14 last week for 203 yds (avg 14.5). Clemson's Mcdaniel (S) is the best by far in their secondary and the rest are questionable at best. Cocks secondary is much better than Clemson's with 3 or 4 equal or better than Mcdaniel. SC will not give up 14.5 avg t b/c of d-line and secondary (gave up 5.5, 9.1, and 6.5 last 3).
Gamecocks have a well balanced offense. Strong, tall receivers and good running game with multiple backs and options. Garcia (JR) scrambles well, has matured dramatically under center, and understands and is comfortable with Spurriers offense now. The playbook has not been opened very much due to 2 smaller opponents and Lattimore vs UGA. SC realized early that UGA wasn't stopping Lattimore up the middle and pounded it all day with the inside handoff (56 total plays in game, 37 were handoffs to lattimore.....enough said). SC has RB screens using Sanders, Maddox, and Lattimore that have been a big point of focus in practice since spring to get these guys in the open field and they have yet to run even one of them.
Garcia is completing 68.3% of passes with 2 ints (both to Furman last week). Passer rating is 143.79 (30 pts higher than 08 and 25 pts higher than 09). New O-line coach has brought a new attitude and work ethic to front (gave up 37 sacks last year, on pace for 20-24 this year). Offensive line woes and coaching have made SC one dimensional in years past but now new attitude causes balanced offense to set up more play action. Also have "wildcock" in arsenal with Gilmore (Safety) as QB (played QB in High School). Cocks showed a little of this effectively the end of last season but will begin running it more soon. Special teams is coming around after to dismal year in 09.
Bottom line, barring a bunch of turnovers, mistakes, and penalties this week by the Gamecocks on both sides of the ball, SC should win this game. The points (+3) are a nice gift and the Moneyline should win you some cash too (+130). This thing opened at SC +1 so it appears the public is pounding Auburn which makes me like it even more. You win some, you lose some as we all know too well in this sport but I am close to the SC program and I have confidence in the Gamecocks this week. It could backfire b/c there's always that chance or unknown in there but this is not the same USC Gamecocks football team as past years and even decades. Spurrier took over in 2005 and the players, recruits, and program are his product. We knew it wouldnt happen overnight but Spurrier has established something at SC and has been given the time to develop and apply his vision. I believe SC is a forever changed program and the future is bright now that we may be over the hump.
Sorry for the book, I know this isn't an SEC chat room. Auburn gave it their all last week and the tank may be a little low for Sat night. Gamecocks will come in and play physical and defense wins the game for SC. I hope my little bit of insight helps all of you that read this win some cash Sat. night. If I/we lose this game, it will be b/c of turnovers not because Auburn is the better team and I promise not to waste your time again. Good luck!!!!!
South Carolina 27
Auburn 13
I think USC defense keeps it under the current 46 but that may be a small play. The points & ML is where I believe the dollars can be made with the Cocks against Auburn.
Cocks have next week off (Oct 2) then Bama comes to Columbia setting up a #1 vs #8 or #9 assuming SC beats Auburn Sat. Bama plays @ Arkansas this week then at home vs Florida next Sat. so they will be coming off 2 tough SEC games. This Auburn game is huge for SC to set up a monster game vs Bama Oct 9th in Columbia!!!! Shock the world Gamecocks!!! (nothing wrong with a little wishful thinking..........haha).
Good Luck to All!!!
Feisty Gamecocks!
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