It’s the most anticipated college football weekend of the century. The game of the millennium! Folks have been anticipating the kickoff of this game since the beginning of October. It’s time for Houston and UAB to strap it on and get after one another…PSYCHE!
Is there any other game on the schedule besides the LSU/Alabama clash in T-town, aka Tuscaloosa, Alabama? Well not including the USC/Arkansas game, I don’t think so! Here are nine other games you might want to watch until eight o’clock tonight.
Just remember before you turn off the television Saturday night, turn your clock back one hour for Daylight Savings Time. Just a friendly reminder!
LSU @ Alabama: What can be written more about this game that ESPN hasn’t broadcasted since last Saturday? This game is primetime on CBS with Verne & Gary! It is a de facto national-semifinal contest for the BCS National Championship game. LSU is 30-1 under Les Miles when playing on the road at night. Miles is undefeated (2-0) against Alabama when coming off a bye week.
Prediction: In the game of the century, LSU turns back the Tide 24-19.
South Carolina @ Arkansas: Read yesterday’s Five Keys to a USC victory.
Prediction: Road Warriors survive; USC makes Razorbacks squeal 24-23.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State is third in the BCS standings and possibly sniffing a conference title for the first time in a quarter century. Kansas State was the talk of college football until Oklahoma throttled the Wildcats in a 41-point home loss. The Fightin’ T. Boone Pickens continue their march to a showdown with instate rival Oklahoma next month.
Prediction: The scoreboard in Stillwater will be anything but quiet; OSU in a shootout beats KSU 49-38.
Texas A&M @ Oklahoma: Texas A&M has not had a whole lot of success in Norman, OK over the last several years, losing six straight to OU when traveling north to the Sooner State. The Aggies dropped an overtime loss at home last week to Missouri, and I doubt Oklahoma will drop back-to-back home games (OU lost to Texas Tech back on October 22nd).
Prediction: Boomer Sooner rolls, OU 45-31.
Texas Tech @ Texas: Texas Tech is like an elevator: up & down. Two weeks ago the Red Raiders shocked unbeaten Oklahoma in Norman and then turned around last week and laid an egg at home in Lubbock to Iowa State (41-7). Texas, meanwhile, has handled every team on its schedule not from the state of Oklahoma.
Prediction: Bevo gets another instate victory, Texas 34-30.
Michigan @ Iowa: Noting like a mid-season Big Ten Legends battle at high noon. Iowa lost to lowly Minnesota last week and cannot afford another loss to a divisional foe. Iowa has won two straight against Michigan but has never won three straight over the Wolverines. I’ll take Denard Robinson and Michigan!
Prediction: Maize & Blue outlasts Maize & Black; Michigan wins 31-20.
Arizona State @ UCLA: The fightin’ Neuheisels are still mathematically a viable option to represent the South Division in the Pac-12 championship if the Bruins can knock off ASU. The Sun Devils are 1-2 on the road this year and have lost four out of the last five trips to Pasadena.
Prediction: Neuheisel’s seat is getting hotter; ASU wins 34-24.
Oregon @ Washington: Another Pac-12 tilt, this game takes place in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The Quack Attack hopes to make a smooth landing in U-Dub on its trek to the Pac-12 Championship. The Huskies can score with anybody, but the problem is, Oregon usually scores more points than its opponents not in the SEC. OU has too many weapons on offense.
Prediction: Oregon doesn’t mind a shootout, quack, quack, Ducks win 53-41.
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh: Remember this epic 45-44 Bearcats win two years ago in the blizzard in Pittsburgh, when the winner of this game would represent the Big East in a BCS bowl game? Well, how times have changed. The Big East still gets an automatic bid to a BCS game, but I am afraid there might not be a Big East conference left by season’s end.
Prediction: Cincinnati remains unbeaten in the Big East, UC 33-24.
Notre Dame @ Wake Forest: This could potentially be a conference game in 2016 or sooner? Wake Forest is beginning to fade, while Notre Dame’s season is turning out to be a typical Fighting Irish season – underachieving! WFU travels to Death Valley next Saturday for a key Atlantic Division battle with Clemson.
Prediction: The Fighting Irish get an early, early A-She-She conference win, Irish 42-24.
My next blog will be posted on Monday, as I review the South Carolina/Arkansas game.
Go Gamecocks!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Five Keys for a South Carolina Victory over Arkansas
South Carolina travels halfway across the country into the Ozark Mountains to face an 8th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks squad. This will be the 20th edition of this interdivisional match-up since both teams joined the SEC Conference together in 1992. The Razorbacks hold a 12-7 advantage in this series with South Carolina – its permanent opponent from the SEC East Division. When hosting the Gamecocks within the Natural State’s borders, the Hawgs own a 7-2 record. The last Gamecocks win against Arkansas in Fayetteville was 2005, when Steve Spurrier, in his inaugural season at South Carolina, led the Gamecocks to a close 14-10 victory. Arkansas has won four of the last five contests in this series, including the last two games. Last year in the cockpit, the Razorbacks crushed USC 41-20 behind a strong running attack with RB Kniles Davis and a superior passing attack led by former Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet (now in the NFL with New England).
Saturday night’s top ten match-up between the Gamecocks and Razorbacks is not garnering much attention around the country since it kicks off roughly 45 minutes ahead of the game of the century between LSU and Alabama. While not many eyes outside of the states of Arkansas and South Carolina will watch 75 percent of this game, both squads understand the significance of winning this contest, especially USC. Let’s take a look at five crucial keys to South Carolina earning their first victory in the Natural State since 2005.
Avoid slow start conundrum and get out of the gates fast, Gamecocks! South Carolina has made a habit of falling behind its opponents. In fact, in eleven consecutive games USC has not scored first. The last time Carolina had an early lead was the 2010 Troy game. Arkansas is an explosive and powerful offensive team, and the Gamecocks cannot afford to get too far behind early in this game and become one-dimensional (pass happy). The Razorbacks have scored at least 29 points in every single game, except the Alabama game where the Bobby Petrino-led Razorbacks only mustered 14 points. Arkansas has faced first- half double digit deficits on the road against Ole Miss & Vanderbilt in its last two games. The Razorbacks came back to win both games but only by a combined eight points. Now both of these teams have gotten off to notoriously slow starts this season, so at least one team will get the chance to end this poor habit. Let’s hope it is South Carolina.
Run Wilds and Shaw early & often against a suspect Arkansas defense. The Arkansas Razorbacks currently rank 89th in Rushing Defense, surrendering 188 rushing yards per game through eight games. Since playing teams with a pulse, the Razorbacks have yielded the following Rushing Totals:
Auburn - 291 rushing yards
Texas A&M - 381 rushing yards
Alabama - 197 rushing yards
Ole Miss – 151 rushing yards
Vanderbilt – 222 rushing yards
The Gamecocks enter the contest with the 23rd ranked Rushing Offense and Carolina has eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark versus five opponents, three of which are SEC defenses: UGA, UK & UT. Arkansas has yet to limit an SEC offense to less than151 total rushing yards this year and, on average, have given up 248.5 yards rushing to BCS conference opponents. The Read Option that USC utilizes with Connor Shaw on the keeper or either Brandon Wilds or Kenny Miles finding cutback lanes and running between the tackles will also keep the Time of Possession in Carolina’s favor. After watching the Vanderbilt/Arkansas game last Saturday, I fully anticipate USC Run Game Coordinator/OL Coach Shawn Elliot and USC QB Coach G.A. Mangus to specifically emphasize to Spurrier that the Zone Read Option play be Carolina’s best weapon to defeat the Razorbacks.
Avoid Costly Turnovers that result in cheap Arkansas touchdowns. South Carolina has lost 19 turnovers on the season, including five in the last two road games against Mississippi State (two INTs) and Tennessee (two fumbles & one INT). South Carolina cannot afford to be careless with the football on the Gamecocks side of the 50-yard line and give Arkansas a short field for its quick strike offense. Once the Razorbacks get inside opponent’s Red Zone, the Razorbacks go “Hog Wild” with a 91% success rate, scoring on 32 of 35 opportunities.
Collapse the pocket when Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson drops back to pass. The Razorbacks have yielded 17 total sacks this season with a rebuilt o-line. USC has registered 16 sacks on the season, which ranks middle of the pack in the SEC, but three-fifths of those sacks came against Vanderbilt & Kentucky. Ellis Johnson & Brad Lawing more than likely have implored all week long that the front four must get pressure on Wilson. Ellis Johnson is not a gambler and will not take too many chances with all-out blitzes on Saturday night, so it is paramount that the USC d-line of Clowney, Ingram, Taylor and Robertson get constant pressure on Wilson a majority of the night. Vanderbilt last week sacked Wilson three times and hit the Arkansas junior quarterback unmercifully all game long. IMHO, the Gamecocks d-line is head & shoulders better than Vanderbilt’s d-line and will handle the Razorbacks up front and make Wilson uncomfortable for four quarters.
Force Turnovers and make Arkansas pay for their mistakes with the football. Arkansas has lost twelve turnovers (nine fumbles & three INTs) on the season. Wilson does not throw many interceptions so, IMHO, the Gamecocks are going to have to cause fumbles to continue to be an opportunistic defense. To achieve these turnovers, the Carolina defense must sack Wilson and force the quarterback to fumble the football. If USC is fortunate enough to force turnovers on Arkansas’ side of the 50-yard line, then Carolina must score touchdowns! South Carolina cannot expect to win this game kicking field goals. If the Gamecocks stop troops can force three-plus turnovers then I guarantee a victory! Less than two turnovers and this game becomes a very difficult challenge for South Carolina to win.
Spurspective Prediction: Since losing at home to Arkansas last season, the Gamecocks have won 10 of its last 11 regular season games (six consecutive on the road). In order for USC to win this game the total points scored must be less than 50 points. I like the Road Warriors to be in seventh heaven Saturday night, USC 24-23.
Saturday night’s top ten match-up between the Gamecocks and Razorbacks is not garnering much attention around the country since it kicks off roughly 45 minutes ahead of the game of the century between LSU and Alabama. While not many eyes outside of the states of Arkansas and South Carolina will watch 75 percent of this game, both squads understand the significance of winning this contest, especially USC. Let’s take a look at five crucial keys to South Carolina earning their first victory in the Natural State since 2005.
Avoid slow start conundrum and get out of the gates fast, Gamecocks! South Carolina has made a habit of falling behind its opponents. In fact, in eleven consecutive games USC has not scored first. The last time Carolina had an early lead was the 2010 Troy game. Arkansas is an explosive and powerful offensive team, and the Gamecocks cannot afford to get too far behind early in this game and become one-dimensional (pass happy). The Razorbacks have scored at least 29 points in every single game, except the Alabama game where the Bobby Petrino-led Razorbacks only mustered 14 points. Arkansas has faced first- half double digit deficits on the road against Ole Miss & Vanderbilt in its last two games. The Razorbacks came back to win both games but only by a combined eight points. Now both of these teams have gotten off to notoriously slow starts this season, so at least one team will get the chance to end this poor habit. Let’s hope it is South Carolina.
Run Wilds and Shaw early & often against a suspect Arkansas defense. The Arkansas Razorbacks currently rank 89th in Rushing Defense, surrendering 188 rushing yards per game through eight games. Since playing teams with a pulse, the Razorbacks have yielded the following Rushing Totals:
Auburn - 291 rushing yards
Texas A&M - 381 rushing yards
Alabama - 197 rushing yards
Ole Miss – 151 rushing yards
Vanderbilt – 222 rushing yards
The Gamecocks enter the contest with the 23rd ranked Rushing Offense and Carolina has eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark versus five opponents, three of which are SEC defenses: UGA, UK & UT. Arkansas has yet to limit an SEC offense to less than151 total rushing yards this year and, on average, have given up 248.5 yards rushing to BCS conference opponents. The Read Option that USC utilizes with Connor Shaw on the keeper or either Brandon Wilds or Kenny Miles finding cutback lanes and running between the tackles will also keep the Time of Possession in Carolina’s favor. After watching the Vanderbilt/Arkansas game last Saturday, I fully anticipate USC Run Game Coordinator/OL Coach Shawn Elliot and USC QB Coach G.A. Mangus to specifically emphasize to Spurrier that the Zone Read Option play be Carolina’s best weapon to defeat the Razorbacks.
Avoid Costly Turnovers that result in cheap Arkansas touchdowns. South Carolina has lost 19 turnovers on the season, including five in the last two road games against Mississippi State (two INTs) and Tennessee (two fumbles & one INT). South Carolina cannot afford to be careless with the football on the Gamecocks side of the 50-yard line and give Arkansas a short field for its quick strike offense. Once the Razorbacks get inside opponent’s Red Zone, the Razorbacks go “Hog Wild” with a 91% success rate, scoring on 32 of 35 opportunities.
Collapse the pocket when Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson drops back to pass. The Razorbacks have yielded 17 total sacks this season with a rebuilt o-line. USC has registered 16 sacks on the season, which ranks middle of the pack in the SEC, but three-fifths of those sacks came against Vanderbilt & Kentucky. Ellis Johnson & Brad Lawing more than likely have implored all week long that the front four must get pressure on Wilson. Ellis Johnson is not a gambler and will not take too many chances with all-out blitzes on Saturday night, so it is paramount that the USC d-line of Clowney, Ingram, Taylor and Robertson get constant pressure on Wilson a majority of the night. Vanderbilt last week sacked Wilson three times and hit the Arkansas junior quarterback unmercifully all game long. IMHO, the Gamecocks d-line is head & shoulders better than Vanderbilt’s d-line and will handle the Razorbacks up front and make Wilson uncomfortable for four quarters.
Force Turnovers and make Arkansas pay for their mistakes with the football. Arkansas has lost twelve turnovers (nine fumbles & three INTs) on the season. Wilson does not throw many interceptions so, IMHO, the Gamecocks are going to have to cause fumbles to continue to be an opportunistic defense. To achieve these turnovers, the Carolina defense must sack Wilson and force the quarterback to fumble the football. If USC is fortunate enough to force turnovers on Arkansas’ side of the 50-yard line, then Carolina must score touchdowns! South Carolina cannot expect to win this game kicking field goals. If the Gamecocks stop troops can force three-plus turnovers then I guarantee a victory! Less than two turnovers and this game becomes a very difficult challenge for South Carolina to win.
Spurspective Prediction: Since losing at home to Arkansas last season, the Gamecocks have won 10 of its last 11 regular season games (six consecutive on the road). In order for USC to win this game the total points scored must be less than 50 points. I like the Road Warriors to be in seventh heaven Saturday night, USC 24-23.
Gamecocks Basketball Impressions
The fourth year of the Darrin Horn era at USC got its first & final tune-up of the 2011-2012 season last evening at the CLA, Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks defeated Kentucky Wesley 69-59 with a less than sparse crowd in attendance at the CLA. The Gamecocks starting line-up consisted of two freshmen, Damien Leonard & Anthony Gill, sophomore, Damontre Harris, junior, Lakeem Jackson, and senior captain, Malik Cooke. The game was close in the first half with the Gamecocks holding a slim one-point advantage, 33-32, at intermission. Carolina used a 22-6 run to open the second half and took control of the game. South Carolina shot 56% from behind the three-point arc, 10-19 FGs, and overall the Gamecocks shot 46% (23/54). The Gamecocks were outrebounded by two, 39-37, and gave up 16 offensive rebounds. That is a concern to Horn and his staff if that trend continues as the season gets underway. It’s a scrimmage against a Division II opponent, so let’s treat these observations and statistics with a grain of salt.
Damien Leonard (freshman): Leonard came to USC with a shooter’s mentality and he lived up to his reputation. He attempted nine shots and every single shot was from behind the three-point arc. Leonard shot 33% for the game on 3/9 shooting. Leonard is not afraid to take shots, but it would greatly benefit his future success if he develops a “one dribble and then shoot” the basketball. Right now Leonard is strictly a spot-up shooter and lacks the ability to create his own shot.
Lakeem Jackson (junior): The North Carolina native started his junior campaign at the Point Guard position last night. Jackson was erratic in his first start at his new position but that was expected. He finished the night with six assists but also six turnovers and four points while taking only four shots. At times Jackson was out of control on fast breaks, got too far into the paint and had no outlet to distribute the basketball, thus resulting in a turnover or chaotic offensive possession for USC. This experiment by Horn to play Jackson at point guard is evolving, so the proof will be in the pudding about 10-12 games into the schedule.
Malik Cooke (senior): Cooke was the second leading scorer with eleven points. He was 1/1 on three-point shots and corralled six rebounds. Cooke was perfect on free throw attempts (4/4). He was active and provided some good leadership and direction on the floor.
Anthony Gill (freshman): IMHO, Gill was the most impressive player on the floor for either team. The Charlotte, NC native burst out of the gates with ten first half points, demonstrated a shooting repertoire from close range and long range, 1/1 on three-point shooting, and totaled six rebounds. Gill has a college-ready body, 6’8” & 225 pounds, and showed good basketball IQ with his basketball fundamentals.
Damontre Harris (sophomore): Harris will be USC’s next eraser following in the football steps of extraordinary shot blockers that have worn Gamecock jerseys recently. Harris registered five blocks last night and was a force in the paint altering shots and providing a defensive presence for USC. Harris did not score last night and needs to be a double-digit scorer, IMHO, for USC to enjoy balance on offense.
R.J. Slawson (sophomore): The Charleston, SC native was one rebound shy of a double-double. Slawson tallied ten points and nine rebounds. Slawson showed a shooting touch from close & long range last night, as he was 2-for-2 on three point shots. IMHO, Slawson will be an interchangeable part for Horn this year as the second-year player could be a valuable sixth man off the bench or slide into the starting line-up if Gill’s or Cooke’s production drops off. Right now, I prefer Slawson off the bench to provide instant offense for USC.
Brenton Williams (sophomore/Junior College): The Florida native showed great quickness off the dribble. Williams also demonstrated a nice shooting touch from behind the 3-pt arc (2-3). Williams finished with eight points while only taking three shots. He was perfect from the free throw line, 2-for-2. Williams, IMHO, is more of a shooting guard versus a point guard.
Eric Smith (sophomore): Like last year, Smith came off the bench and really didn’t distinguish himself in the point guard battle with Jackson. In less than 20 minutes of action, the Mullins, SC native showed the propensity to be turnover prone. Smith committed four turnovers versus two assists. Not a good ratio for a point guard. Smith is not very explosive and really doesn’t get much separation from the defender when directing the offense. Smith needs to really step up to see more playing time, especially when Ellington returns from the gridiron.
Brian Richardson (sophomore): The North Carolina sharp shooter looked more physically mature last night after a full season in the weight room. Last year, Richardson’s physical stature resembled more of a junior high school player than a Division One basketball player. Richardson came to USC last year with a reputation as a long-range shooter and struggled with his shot in the latter half of last season. He was more of a spot-up shooter last year but last night he exhibited the ability to put the ball on the floor and then pull-up and shoot a medium-range jumper. That ability demonstrates this kid worked on his deficiencies during the offseason, which were creating his own shots, and now adds a new dimension to his game that expands his scoring threat for the Gamecocks offense.
Carlton Geathers (redshirt freshman): I did not have any expectations for Geathers, since he did not play last year, and speculation was that this kid was a project and needed a few years to develop. Well I was surprised by his mobility and shot-blocking skill. He only played ten minutes but he was productive. Geathers blocked two shots, scored two points, grabbed two rebounds, had one assist and zero turnovers. Geathers needs to continue to work hard on his physical conditioning, but if USC can get 10-12 meaningful minutes from this freshman on a game-by-game basis then this Georgetown, SC native can be a very vital contributor off of Carolina’s bench when USC needs a big body.
Lakeem Jackson (junior): The North Carolina native started his junior campaign at the Point Guard position last night. Jackson was erratic in his first start at his new position but that was expected. He finished the night with six assists but also six turnovers and four points while taking only four shots. At times Jackson was out of control on fast breaks, got too far into the paint and had no outlet to distribute the basketball, thus resulting in a turnover or chaotic offensive possession for USC. This experiment by Horn to play Jackson at point guard is evolving, so the proof will be in the pudding about 10-12 games into the schedule.
Malik Cooke (senior): Cooke was the second leading scorer with eleven points. He was 1/1 on three-point shots and corralled six rebounds. Cooke was perfect on free throw attempts (4/4). He was active and provided some good leadership and direction on the floor.
Anthony Gill (freshman): IMHO, Gill was the most impressive player on the floor for either team. The Charlotte, NC native burst out of the gates with ten first half points, demonstrated a shooting repertoire from close range and long range, 1/1 on three-point shooting, and totaled six rebounds. Gill has a college-ready body, 6’8” & 225 pounds, and showed good basketball IQ with his basketball fundamentals.
Damontre Harris (sophomore): Harris will be USC’s next eraser following in the football steps of extraordinary shot blockers that have worn Gamecock jerseys recently. Harris registered five blocks last night and was a force in the paint altering shots and providing a defensive presence for USC. Harris did not score last night and needs to be a double-digit scorer, IMHO, for USC to enjoy balance on offense.
R.J. Slawson (sophomore): The Charleston, SC native was one rebound shy of a double-double. Slawson tallied ten points and nine rebounds. Slawson showed a shooting touch from close & long range last night, as he was 2-for-2 on three point shots. IMHO, Slawson will be an interchangeable part for Horn this year as the second-year player could be a valuable sixth man off the bench or slide into the starting line-up if Gill’s or Cooke’s production drops off. Right now, I prefer Slawson off the bench to provide instant offense for USC.
Brenton Williams (sophomore/Junior College): The Florida native showed great quickness off the dribble. Williams also demonstrated a nice shooting touch from behind the 3-pt arc (2-3). Williams finished with eight points while only taking three shots. He was perfect from the free throw line, 2-for-2. Williams, IMHO, is more of a shooting guard versus a point guard.
Eric Smith (sophomore): Like last year, Smith came off the bench and really didn’t distinguish himself in the point guard battle with Jackson. In less than 20 minutes of action, the Mullins, SC native showed the propensity to be turnover prone. Smith committed four turnovers versus two assists. Not a good ratio for a point guard. Smith is not very explosive and really doesn’t get much separation from the defender when directing the offense. Smith needs to really step up to see more playing time, especially when Ellington returns from the gridiron.
Brian Richardson (sophomore): The North Carolina sharp shooter looked more physically mature last night after a full season in the weight room. Last year, Richardson’s physical stature resembled more of a junior high school player than a Division One basketball player. Richardson came to USC last year with a reputation as a long-range shooter and struggled with his shot in the latter half of last season. He was more of a spot-up shooter last year but last night he exhibited the ability to put the ball on the floor and then pull-up and shoot a medium-range jumper. That ability demonstrates this kid worked on his deficiencies during the offseason, which were creating his own shots, and now adds a new dimension to his game that expands his scoring threat for the Gamecocks offense.
Carlton Geathers (redshirt freshman): I did not have any expectations for Geathers, since he did not play last year, and speculation was that this kid was a project and needed a few years to develop. Well I was surprised by his mobility and shot-blocking skill. He only played ten minutes but he was productive. Geathers blocked two shots, scored two points, grabbed two rebounds, had one assist and zero turnovers. Geathers needs to continue to work hard on his physical conditioning, but if USC can get 10-12 meaningful minutes from this freshman on a game-by-game basis then this Georgetown, SC native can be a very vital contributor off of Carolina’s bench when USC needs a big body.
My next blog will be this afternoon when I provide my five USC keys to victory over Arkansas.
Go Gamecocks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)