Continuing our look at the Gamecocks’ 2011 schedule, today we run down East Carolina, the 9th toughest game on the schedule.
Other Previews:
The East Carolina Pirates will meet the Gamecocks in Charlotte to open the season. The game is scheduled for a 7 pm kickoff on FSN. This will be the first of a 5 game series. Two of the games are to be played in Charlotte; two are to be played in Columbia, and one game is scheduled for Greenville, North Carolina.
Why this game might be easier than expected: The Pirates will be without their star wide receiver (Michael Bowman) and their star cornerback (Emmanuel Davis), so they could be a little weaker than they will be the rest of the season.
Why this game might be harder than expected: Pirates coach Ruffin McNeil brings the Texas Tech offense with him to Greenville. If that offense is clicking, they can score points early and often.
5 Points to consider:
1) East Carolina was not good at all on defense last year. They gave up an astounding 479 yards per game and 44 points per game.
2) The Texas Tech offense isn’t just effective in Lubbock. East Carolina’s offense put up lots of yards and points. They averaged 438 and 36.8.
3) East Carolina’s defense is switching to a 3-4 look. Although they return 3 defensive line starters, they return zero starting linebackers.
4) Dominque Davis, the quarterback, is the star of the team (with Bowman suspended). Davis threw for nearly 4,000 yards last season.
5) It’s been mentioned by more than one Pirate that East Carolina considers this to be a rivalry game of sorts. I’m not sure many Gamecocks feel that way, but you can rest assured, USC is going to get ECU’s best shot.
Way too early prediction: Both offenses score, but USC puts things away with some stops. USC 41-24.
