The Daily Gamecock recently got in touch with Carter Karels,sports editor of The Battalion(Texas A&M's premiere student newspaper)for an interview about Aggies football and this week's game.
The Daily Gamecock: The Aggie quarterback play has been suspect of late and there's been rumor of a switch-up. Do you expect Kevin Sumlinto make the change and give freshman Kyler Murrayor sophomore Jake Hubenaka shot?
Carter Karels: On paper, it appears Kyle Allenhas completely lost his ways. But, I don't believe he's the problem. He was the best quarterback in the SEC before the Alabama game, and now suddenly he ranks at near the bottom while having three 5-star receivers and Josh Reynolds.So how does that happen? It is a coaching issue. But, no matter whose fault it is, the team needs a spark and Allen's confidence has withered away. At this point, I don't think Kyler Murrayor Jake Hubenak is better than Kyle Allen,but Kyler Murraywill probably get the start to give the team a spark. They announce the starter Friday.
TDG: I personally think Murray will make his first career start against the Gamecocks. What does he bring to the table that sophomore Kyle Allen does not?
CK: Kyler Murrayhas not been effective the entire year through the air. But, one thing is for sure, the kid is electric when running the football. He brings playmaking intangibles to the table with his feet much like Johnny Manziel did. When the coaches have brought him in, they continue to make mistakes by restricting him to running the football or throwing deep passes immediately. They need to build his confidence with short, dink and dunk passes, and if they do that and he finds a rhythm, he will finally be effective.
TDG: We've seen freshman Christian Kirkburn defenses and coverage teams all season, but give us another offensive playmaker that could change the course of the game.
CK: The A&M offense has definitely been sporadic in what player besides Kirkcontributes. At the beginning of the season, it was Josh Reynolds.Lately, it has been Ricky Seals-Jones.Seals-Jonesis 6-foot-5and is one heck of an athlete and can snag difficult passes with his height and wingspan. It took a long time for him to come on, but he's now become a primary target in the endzone for A&Mquarterbacks. He can rack up yards and receptions too.
TDG: The Aggiedefense has struggled at times, but there are quite a few playmakers on that side of the ball. Who should Gamecock fans watch out for on that side of the ball?
CK: Myles Garretthas the potential to make a game altering play almost every play. He leads the SEC in sacks and has at the very least a blocked punt, interception, forced fumble and a recovery. The only thing he hasn't done is score a touchdown. Safety Armani Wattsis a threat as well. Last week, he was four tackles shy from tying the school record for 24 in a game. He's a pure athlete and unbelievable playmaker and has a nose for the football. Donovan Wilson,who plays nickel, generates turnovers with three interceptions and a fumble recovery so far. A&M's defense is very fast and has kept them in the past couple games despite having an abysmal offense.
TDG: Who wins? Give us your best prediction.
CK: I think the game will be close the first two or three quarters. I don't believe A&M will magically figure it out offensively, especially if it's a quarterback's first start in college. South Carolina also has issues offensively this season, and with the way the Aggiedefense is playing, I think they will come out angry and hold the Gamecocks to single digits. The A&Moffense will keep South Carolina in the game, but they should find its rhythm late and get things rolling since they have the better athletes on the field.
Texas A&M 27, South Carolina 9