The Gamecocks are coming off of a 38-24 scare against the Tennessee Volunteers and are looking to build some momentum going into their (most likely) winner take all match-up against the Florida Gators in "The Swamp" next week. The Razorbacks are looking to build on their 49-14 thrashing of the Vanderbilt Commodores last week in which QB Ryan Mallett threw for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Look for the Gamecocks to try to establish the running game early as temperatures are expected to be in the upper to mid 30's. The Razorback defense has allowed 175.1 rushing yards per game this year, good for 82nd in the nation, which plays right into the hands of the Gamecocks running attack. Freshman RB Marcus Lattimore has rushed for over 700 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this year for the Gamecocks. Lattimore returned to action last week after missing the Vanderbilt contest with a sprained ankle and racked up 210 total yards, 184 of them coming on the ground, and also added a touchdown.
The Razorbacks will be looking to attack a depleted Gamecocks secondary with their 2nd ranked passing attack. The Gamecocks allowed 312 passing yards to a Tennessee passing attack that averages only 213.6 yards per game and Ryan Mallett should be licking his chops when he looks forward to this match-up. The only thing that may play into the hands of the Gamecocks is the weather. The low temperatures should make the ball slick and tougher to grip for the quarterbacks, which may put emphasis on the running game for Arkansas which hasn't proven to be very effective this season. The Razorbacks will also be playing without leading receiver Greg Childs who was lost to a knee injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Key Match-up:
QB Ryan Mallett vs. the South Carolina secondary
QB Ryan Mallett vs. the South Carolina secondary
The Gamecocks lost Chris Culliver to a torn pectoral muscle and strained right bicep after last week's win over Tennessee. This injury has caused the already reeling Gamecock secondary to make some changes. Junior C.C. Whitlock has been promoted to starting corner opposite Stephon Gilmore, Akeem Auguste will move back to his original position at free safety leaving DeVonte Holloman at strong safety, and former walk-on special teamer Marty Markett may even see some playing time at corner this Saturday night. This scrambled and confused secondary needs to have the game of their lives this weekend to even hope to contain Arkansas' passing game. Look for this match-up to be a key factor in who wins and loses the game.
Key Players:
South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia
South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia
If Garcia can manage the game as well as he has been this year, the Gamecocks will definitely have a shot at winning this game. The cold weather should leave the ball slick and tough to handle, which can lead to some fumbles. Garcia struggled with fumbling early in the year but has controlled his urge to drop the football in the past several weeks. If Garcia can hold onto the ball and make a few key passes, he has plenty of weapons and a very solid running game to back him up, which should put the Gamecocks in position to win.
Arkansas RB Knile Davis
With a lot of the focus of practice this week being the secondary for the Gamecocks, the running game could be a key factor for Arkansas Saturday. Davis has rushed for 552 yards and 6 touchdowns this year in a pass-first offense at Arkansas. If the defense is focused hard on the pass, look for holes to open up in the running game and some chances for Knile Davis to show what he can do.
Prediction:
(18)South Carolina 38 (17)Arkansas 34
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