This Gamecocks Blog was asked by College Football Zealots (CFBZ) to shed some light on the South Carolina Gamecocks football team in 2011 by answering their questions.
CFBZ did a insightful preview of the Gamecocks – HERE – along with a Q&A with us in that same post. We disagree with the preseason ranking of No. 18 but overall a excellent preseason preview of our beloved Gamecocks.
Here is the LOHD answers to their Q&A –
1. Much of the talk this off-season has been on Stephen Garcia. What are you expecting out of the QB position this year?
Expectations for Stephen Garcia are simple – don’t make mistakes. This can be said for Garcia both on and off the field of play.
Off the field of play, he is on a ‘zero tolerance’ leash after serving out his fifth suspension recently. So the expectation is for him to finally mature and word is he has been doing just that. He has been a leader in summer workouts and believe it or not he has reportedly given up alcohol. These indications bold well for improved on-the-field play.
Speaking of that, he just needs to not make dumb mistakes. No forced throws, no fumbles and no interceptions at crucial times. Garcia simply needs to say “hut” and hand off to Marcus Lattimore or get the ball to Alshon Jeffery in space. Easy enough.
For Garcia, he just does not need to be the Achilles heel of the team in 2011; do that and good things will happen in 2011 for the team and for him personally.
2. Marcus Lattimore made a huge impact as a freshman last year. This year South Carolina has the #1 recruit in the Nation coming to play in Columbia. What type of impact do you think Jadeveon Clowney will have for the Gamecocks?
Jadeveon Clowney is a special player, the once-in-a-lifetime type. He dominated high school and expectations are for him to get around to doing that in college. It may not be year one but most will guarantee that he will be a disrupter at defensive end and find his way into the NFL.
Speaking of this year, the defensive line at USC is arguably the best in the SEC. Devin Taylor, Travian Robertson, Aldrick Fordham and Melvin Ingram are any coaches’ dream for a line. Throw in Clowney and wow.
Having a strong line already works in Clowney’s favor as he does not have to come in and be the savior. He can learn and grow, which is dangerous for a gifted player like Clowney. Expect him to come on strong by the middle of the season, once he adjusts to the speed of the college game.
3. Despite having a lot of talent on the defensive side of the football the Gamecocks finished 10th in the SEC in passing yardage allowed. What has been done this off-season to address this area?
The Gamecocks did not have the luxury of depth last season in the secondary and the linebacking corp was not as strong as in years’ past. Both of these things have gotten better for 2011.
There is lots of redshirt freshman in the secondary ready to step up but don’t take that as a lack of experience in the group. Elders Stephon Gilmore and Akeem Auguste will lock down the corners. DJ Swearinger and Jimmy Legree will be the safeties. This group, on paper, is much improved for defensive coach Ellis Johnson.
What will help the defense as a whole is a strong linebacking corp to go along with the already mentioned beast of a defensive line. Shaq Wilson should be back at middle linebacker after missing most of 2010, he has a high motor which means good things for USC. At WLB, depth is good just needs someone to step up as Rodney Paulk, Quin Smith and Damario Jeffery are looking to be a difference maker at this spot.
USC uses a hybrid-type linebacker/safety called a Spur. Two excellent players are fighting for the starting job here – Antonio Allen and DeVonte Holloman. Either player will make the team stronger no matter which one is playing.
As you can see, the defensive side of the ball is much improved with depth and this means the team will be good for the full game not just when the first team is in there.
Also Coach Ellis Johnson has made some adjustments in scheme in the offseason, more of a 3-4 type defense to help cover the increasingly used spread offenses by opposing offenses.
All this above should take USC from 10th to top five in 2011 as far as defense in 2011 rankings in my view.
4. Give me three SEC players you don’t look forward to playing this year (and why don’t you look forward to playing them)?
- Running back Michael Dyer from Auburn is one player that I do not look forward to seeing USC face in 2011. Dyer can hurt you with his speed and with Cam Newton gone, the Tigers will rely more on him this coming season. The USC defense cannot allow him to run-up-and-down the field this season.
- Linebacker Jerry Franklin for Arkansas is another player that I don’t want to see USC face as he is a beast for the Razorbacks and could cause fits for USC’s offense. He is good in coverage and also can pressure the QB. The USC offensive line has to account for him at all times.
- The spread of Dan Mullen and quarterback Chris Relf of Mississippi State is something I dread, especially the fact that the game is played in Starkville. Relf is not the best QB in the SEC but he does a good job of running Mullen’s spread offense. He has Chad Bumphis to pass to or Vick Ballard to hand-off to; both are good weapons that USC’s defense will have to bring their “A” game to overcome.
5. Looking at the schedule, what are the most important games this year (and why)?
Three games defined USC’s season in my view – Georgia, Arkansas and Florida.
at Georgia, Sept. 10
This is the early SEC statement game for both teams and for South Carolina it could be the game that determines if 2011 is going to be a really special with a BCS happy ending or just another grueling SEC season with ups-and-downs.
“Between the hedges” is never an easy venue to claim victory. The Gamecocks have won in Athens once during Steve Spurrier’s tenure in Columbia and that win propelled South Carolina to a 6-1 start in 2007. Spurrier is 2-4 against the Bulldogs as the Gamecocks head coach.
A USC win would continue the hope of a SEC East title defense in Atlanta a reality for the ‘Cocks and could spell doom for UGa and the job status of Mark Richt.
at Arkansas, Nov. 5
The Razorbacks always poise a difficult challenge for the Gamecocks. The barnyard bash could be the toughest game for USC as the Gamecocks have a tendency to struggle in Fayetteville. South Carolina won in Spurrier’s first attempt on the road against the Razorbacks in 2005 (14-10), but the past two games at Razorback Stadium have not been so kind.
With Arkansas amongst the favorites to with the SEC West, this early November battle could have major implications in the race to represent the SEC in Atlanta. The Gamecocks will need their secondary as these Hogs have offensive explosion capabilities combined with a good defense.
Florida, Nov. 12
This game will have many storylines in 2011 from Muschamp versus Spurrier to a potential decisive game for the answer as to who will be the SEC East representation in the looming Conference Championship game.
New Gator coach Will Muschamp will bring the Gators into Williams Brice Stadium and will be looking to take a chop out of the Gamecocks hopes of a SEC East repeat. This game will showcase loads of talent and surely be a SEC classic. The Gamecocks will have to have their spurs up as a lot will be riding on this game.
6. What is your gut feeling on the final record for the 2011 season and what makes the season successful in your eyes?
The Gamecocks finished the 2010 season 9–5, 5–3 in SEC play to win the SEC Eastern Division; anything less than doing this again will be a disappointment in 2011 in my view given the SEC East landscape combined with the talent the Gamecocks have this season.
Not out of reality are the Gamecocks having the chance to go undefeated or 11-1 given the schedule being in their favor this season. Most media pundits agree and have the Gamecocks going to the BCS. I for one use caution when even dreaming of this scenario as I am a lifelong diehard Gamecock fan so I have seen hope get kicked in the mouth.
I honestly feel that USC will finish 2011 with a 10-2 mark and repeat as SEC East champs. I stop short in saying they will win the SEC Championship as I do not know who the SEC West will have due to my struggle to pick between Alabama, LSU and Arkansas as the SEC West representative. A BCS bowl is a strong possibility for USC in 2011.
