The No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (7-1, 5-1) will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on the No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-1, 3-1) this Saturday night at Razorback Stadium.
The Gamecocks are coming into this game off of a 14-3 win at Tennessee last weekend. Arkansas is coming in off of a scare, winning 31-28 at Vanderbilt last week, in which the difference in the game was a missed 27 yard field goal in the closing seconds. Arkansas also escaped with a 29-23 victory at Ole Miss the week before. Just reading this, you know it will be a great game and either team can come out victorious.
Let’s look at what it will take for South Carolina to win:
1. Offensive line play is crucial for SC: On the offensive side of the ball, the key is the play of the offensive line as it has to pass protect extremely better or there could be a lot of Spurrier visor-tossing.
2. USC Has to have success on the ground: Given that the Hog defense has been dreadful of late (giving up an average of 248 yards their past five games), the opportunity is there for running back Brandon Wilds and the Gamecock ground game to find success. If that happens, the passing game should open up and hope is strong that the USC defense will continue their strong play.
3. USC Pass Defense Has to Play Great: The Razorbacks bring in one of the nation’s premier passing games. Arkansas is first in the SEC by a wide margin in passing yards per game at 321 yards, ninth in the nation. They are second in the SEC behind Alabama and twenty-fifth in the nation in total offense with 453 yards per game. Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson is one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. Wilson is eleventh nationally with 291 passing yards per game. He has completed 175-of-297 passes for 2,327 yards and 13 touchdowns with just three interceptions. Wilson is averaging just one interception per 99 passes. Safe to say for USC, defense has to be ready.
4. Win the Turnover Game: USC cannot beat themselves or put Arkansas in good position. On the flip side of the coin, USC needs the Razorbacks to help them by giving a turnover or two.
5. USC Special teams has to be clutch: If ever a game where the special teams needs to play great and be game-changers…well, this is it. USC has to play “special” on special teams.
Those are the five keys to a South Carolina win. Look for USC to win this game by the score of 23-20 with a late fourth quarter rally.
If you liked this one, check out Why we feel USC win win – HERE.
