Following a loss last weekend to Texas A&M, the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5 in the SEC) will head to Knoxville, Tennessee to face the Volunteers (4-4, 2-3).
Tennessee, a ranked team at the start of the season, has lost four games this by a combined margin of 17 points. Three of those four losses came against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. So, do not take Tennessee’s mediocre record at face value because this team is far better than .500.
1. Defense puts pressures on QB Joshua Dobbs
Texas A&M quarterback Kyler Murray burned the Gamecocks last week both on the ground and through the air. The 18-year-old tallied 379 total yards, one touchdown pass and one rushing touchdown. This was a direct result of a weak pass rush by South Carolina, who sacked Murray just one time.
Facing another dual-threat quarterback this week like Dobbs means the Gamecocks pass rush must be on it’s A-game. Dobbs averages nearly 55 rushing yards per game in addition to 188 passing yards per game.
The junior rarely turns the ball over and boasts a 75.4 total QBR compared to Perry Orth’s 65.8.
With Tennessee’s starting right tackle, Brett Kendrick, ruled out for Saturday’s contest, the Gamecocks have a golden opportunity to rattle this efficient Volunteer offense. Sacks are essential to pull off an upset.
2. Rushing will determine the outcome
Senior running back Brandon Wilds has rushed for back-to-back 100-yard outings and must continue that trend to catalyze South Carolina’s inefficient offense.
Orth, who appears to be Shawn Elliott’s man for the remainder of the season, needs all the help he can get after throwing two interceptions late last week to prevent a South Carolina comeback. So, I’d expect Elliott to maximize production from the backfield, especially if this game is close late. Orth is seemingly a competent quarterback through three quarters, but he has yet to prove he is capable of closing out games.
Tennessee’s rushing defense is not exactly the best, but it’s not awful. In fact, it ranks 62nd in the nation, allowing 163.1 yards per game. If Wilds can replicate his past two rushing performances, the Gamecocks could keep it close. If not, the team is in for a long afternoon.
3. Pharoh Cooper recovers after a lackluster performance
Cooper has separated himself as South Carolina’s most lethal weapon on offense. His chemistry with his quarterback is simply unmatched by any other receiver on the roster and that’s exemplified by his numbers this season.
However, Cooper was quiet last week against an Aggie defense that blanketed him all game long. Cooper accumulated just 38 total yards with no touchdowns en route to one of his worst performances of the season.
As a leader of the Gamecock offense, Cooper must reestablish himself as one of the nation’s elite receivers. His knack for gaining yards after the catch is irreplaceable on an offense that lacks a true playmaker. Cooper has to have a big game in terms of both receiving and rushing the football.