Well, I wasn't going to post until after the Clemson game to avoid a jinx, but after some intense stat sheet studying here are some keys to a Gamecock win.
Defense
Make Whitehurst throw as many (or more) interceptions as TD’s. INT/TD ratio has always been make or break with this kid (all 35 years he's started at CU). If possible keep him below 60% on completions. 65% max.
If the INT's don't materialize, keep them under 150 yds rushing on the day.
Bonus fact: Ko needs 13 tackles to hit 100 for the season.
Offense
Mitchell needs more TD’s than INT’s. In the 2 games he started and USC lost, his INT/TD ratio was 1/2 (UGA) and 1/1 (Bama). In every win but Florida, he's thrown 2 TD's or more... We don’t even need 200 yds passing, but we must win the turnover battle to win. It's a fundamental truth in football and it weighs heavily in this game.
Freshman receivers (Rice and McKinley) need to produce. Arkansas is the only game in the 5-game win streak where Rice caught for less than 100. In that game McKinley picked up the slack. If Rice stays below the century mark McKinley must step up.
Keep up red zone production. We're 4th in the SEC for red zone scoring and first for TD percentage. Spurrier doesn't let up inside the 20 and he won't start on Saturday.
This one’s going to be closer than some USC fans think. I know a number of 'us' are so confident of a win our heads are nearing explosion level. Don’t expect redemption for 63-17, at least not for another year or two.
Perhaps I’ve learned a lesson from years past, but anything can happen in this one. Perhaps I still have “Lou-syndrome”. Our team isn’t that talented. Our team is young and they’re overachieving. Clemson’s better than their record indicates. Carolina isn’t as good as theirs.
Perhaps, however, this USC team has two key ingredients for success others have lacked: heart and character. The Gamecocks are taking it one game at a time and they’re playing to win. To paraphrase Spurrier, this isn’t a stats team, it’s a results team (so ignore my points above). Perhaps the opposite has been Clemson’s problem under Bowden. Maybe that’s why I’m confident that if and when it comes down to coaching, the Spur will always stand victorious.
This team's hungry for a win Saturday, especially the seniors. Bowl game? Check. Tennessee? Check. Florida? Check. Clemson? ___. This team, unlike previous USC teams under previous coaches, will not lie down and accept defeat if the going gets tough. As our fight song says, “that’s when the Cocks get going.” This year those words are finally ringing true. History says the first team to score in this one wins. Hell, history says the Gamecocks are bound to lose, but they call it “history” for a reason. Just ask fans in Gainesville and Knoxville.
Last week my predicted score was 3 points off. Let's hope I'm that close again.
Final – Cocks 24, Farmboys 20
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2 comments:
welp ... 3 int's and we didn't throw a pass into the endzone. so strange how our red zone proficiency disappeared against our hated rival.
spurrier said that clemson played zone defense in the red zone. that meant running is what we had to do. we just couldn't get it in there.
the running game improve over the year, however. davis got over 100 for the first time. if we can replace levey and goddard, we'll run better next year.
and don't forget ... we get syvelle and boyd back, so more weapons than just sidney.
wait ... why talk about next year? we still have a bowl to go to!
e+
Good points. I'm not sure if I'm more excited about the bowl or next season.
Not sure if I'd rather see us against Michigan, since I've always pulled for them, or in the Peach vs FSU. I think FSU would be more compelling w/ the whole Spurrier/Bowden connection. We'll see.
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