The South Carolina football team is looking for a second straight win over the No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium following a loss to the LSU Tigers this past weekend.
The Daily Gamecock spoke to the OU Daily Sports Editor Joshua McDaniel about the upcoming matchup. The game will kick off at 12:45 p.m. and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
Daily Gamecock: Last year, South Carolina was able to beat the Sooners 35-9 in Norman. What is different about this year's Oklahoma team? Where did they improve the most?
McDaniel: “I mean, number one, obviously, they have a new quarterback. They have (redshirt junior quarterback) John Mateer, a Heisman contender. (Former quarterback) Jackson Arnold was far from that. John Mateer — he's coming off a season at Washington State, where he led a Washington State offense that was top 10 in the nation and in scoring offense. And so he's real sharp ... He's had success this season already, so far. Led some wins against Auburn, Michigan. I mean, he's played solid. But he injured his hand against Auburn, too, so he's coming off that injury, and so there are some troubles there. But what's the difference from last year? They have a better quarterback.”
In what ways is he different from Arnold? What has he been able to do that Arnold couldn’t?
“For one, Arnold was getting sacked a lot last year, and some of that is on the OU offensive line. It really struggled last year, this year ... but still, that was on him too, and so he didn't really produce ... (Arnold) had 1,421 (passing yards) ... and Mateer is currently at 1,417 (passing yards) ... What's the big difference? I mean, you hear it statistically, but obviously literally. (Mateer) has a lot more comfortability in the pocket material. He can really sling it. He can run well, too. Arnold had some good running moments last year, but Mateer can really move on his feet to be a real dual-threat quarterback.”
What are some ways that the Sooners' defense, which ranks in the top five in multiple defensive statistics, can make things difficult for the Gamecock offense?
“They bring a lot, a lot of pressure. I mean, like you said, they're near the top in the country in defensive stats. Took them a while to get a turnover, but they finally got some turnovers rolling ... (Redshirt sophomore quarterback LaNorris) Sellers (has) got to be on the lookout for the OU defensive line, it's strong, real strong. OU has our (senior defensive lineman) Mason Thomas ... he already has four sacks this season, nine sacks last year. They've got a lot of force on the defensive line."
Who are some other players that could impact the game?
“Some key players for you could also be (redshirt junior) wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III. He's a transfer from Arkansas. He was previously at Arkansas. He's been real successful for (Oklahoma) already. He had 127 yards when he played against Auburn earlier in the season, 97 against Temple, too. He's been a real force for them. And so he's transferred, came in doing great. And so South Carolina will have to watch out for Isaiah Sategna.”
What does Oklahoma have to do on Saturday to get out of Williams-Brice Stadium with a win?
“Mateer has to play real well ... He has to be sharp ... And last game, he wasn't great, and he's still (coming) off that (hand) injury. So, that might be part of it. Also, post-game, he's talking more, saying it's more mental than physical and really taking accountability. But regardless, he needs to perform against South Carolina for the Sooners to win, and then the defense has to come sharp, too. I mean, it's been sharp pretty much all season, but had some shortcomings against Texas. They need to be sharp against South Carolina ... One thing, and that's over the whole course of the season, that they really hope could develop more is the run game. The run game has been real weak. Had less than 50 rushing yards against Texas, and so the run game has been real weak just over the course of the season, hasn't had much going there. And so if OU really struggles, that means John Mateer maybe doesn't have a great game, still coming off that injury, and that also means that the running game's not helping out much either, and it hasn't been all season. That continues to be a trend. But for them to win, John Mateer needs to be there; defense does. And possibly the running game too."
Score prediction?
“I'll say that OU wins 27-14.”