Continuing our look at the Gamecocks’ 2011 football schedule, today we run down the Clemson Tigers, the fifth toughest game on the schedule.
Other LOHD 2011 football previews:
| 12 | The Citadel |
| 11 | Vanderbilt |
| 10 | Navy |
| 9 | East Carolina |
| 8 | Kentucky |
| 7 | Auburn |
| 6 | Tennessee |
The Clemson game is the last game of the 2011 season. The Tigers come to Williams-Brice on November 26.
Why this game might be easier than expected: Clemson has lots of question marks to resolve this season. If they don’t get resolved, this could be a team without much to play for. It’s Clemson, always over-hyped.
Why this game might be harder than expected: It is the rivals. This game is always tough for South Carolina. If the season doesn’t go as expected, the Gamecocks could have little to play for at the end of the season and be looking past Clemson.
5 Points to consider:
1) Clemson is installing a new offense under a new offensive coordinator. Chad Morris comes from Tulsa where his offense was successful. If that success will translate or how quickly it will translate will go a long way toward determining Clemson’s season.
2) The Tiger offense will be helped by the return of 4 of 5 offensive line starters. Andre Ellington also returns at running back.
3) This game will be the first time the Gamecocks will see Morris’s version of the spread. It shouldn’t be unfamiliar to them since they have played against Urban Meyer’s spread the last few years and will have played against Gus Malzahn’s spread and Dan Mullen’s earlier in the season.
4) Clemson only returns 3 of their front seven and might be playing some freshman at the linebacker positions. The South Carolina offense should be able to assert itself on the ground more this year.
5) The series has swung in the Gamecocks favor this year. Another win would be the longest streak in the series for USC in 40 years. Another win might also end Dabo Swinney’s career at Clemson.
Way too early prediction: South Carolina should be able to move the ball, but I expect the game to be controlled by the defenses more than might be expected. South Carolina 24-10.
