The (23)South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3, 4-3) will travel to Gainesville, FL to take on the (23)Florida Gators (6-3, 4-3) this Saturday night to see who will play for the SEC Championship.
The Gators took care of business last week, beating the Vanderbilt Commodores 55-14 in a game that featured a 34-point second quarter. Florida quarterbacks John Brantley and Jordan Reed were a combined 22 of 37 passing for 277 yards and three touchdowns, Reed threw the lone interception for the Gators. But passing wasn’t the only thing the Gators had clicking on offense last Saturday. The Florida rushing attack included five different players, the leading rusher being Jordan Reed, carrying the ball 16 times for 84 yards and a touchdown.
The Gator defense also got in on the action, shutting down Vanderbilt in all phases of the game, holding quarterbacks Jared Funk and Larry Smith to a mere 63 passing yards. Even kicker Ryan Fowler was 0-1 in his only passing attempt. The Vanderbilt ground game was non-existent as well, rushing for only 46 yards on 38 attempts.
The Gamecocks handled their business a little differently.
South Carolina was dominated for all four quarters of football Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium, falling 41-20 to (15)Arkansas. Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett had his way with the transparent Gamecocks secondary, throwing for 303 yards and a touchdown. RB Knile Davis was effective for the Razorbacks as well, carrying the ball 22 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns. WR Cobi Hamilton stood out in the absence of star-receiver Greg Childs, catching seven balls for 111 yards and a touchdown.
South Carolina’s offense had trouble getting going all night long. QB Stephen Garcia was 14 for 29 throwing for 161 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Head Coach Steve Spurrier failed to get Marcus Lattimore in on the game plan, giving the freshman only 11 carries for 30 yards and he also added one catch for 10 yards. The non-existent running attack put a lot of pressure on Garcia, leaving the Gamecock offense with many quick three-and-outs.
The Gamecocks should try to establish the run this weekend against the Gators. The consequences of a non-effective rushing attack were shown against Arkansas. Lattimore wasn’t included in the game plan nearly enough and South Carolina paid dearly for it. If the Gamecocks can get Lattimore going, it should give Stephen Garcia some play-action opportunities to find open receivers. The Gators have been playing inspired football the past couple of weeks while the Gamecocks have looked mediocre at best. They need a strong week of practice to increase their level of intensity this weekend and give the Gators all they can handle.
The Gators have a duel-threat at quarterback with John Brantley being the pocket style passer and Jordan Reed the scrambler. Reed has rushed for 103 yards in two weeks after converting from tight end and John Brantley has racked up over 1,600 yards and eight touchdowns through the air this year. This could cause problems for South Carolina if they are used effectively. Look for Florida to attack the weak Gamecock secondary early and often as the Razorbacks did last week.
Key Match-up:
Marcus Lattimore vs. Florida’s front-seven
Freshman Marcus Lattimore has proven that he is a big factor in whether South Carolina’s offense is effective this year. In the first half of South Carolina’s loss at Kentucky, the Gamecocks racked up a 28-10 lead behind Lattimore’s 212 total yards. Without him in the second half, the Gamecocks were ineffective and held scoreless, losing 31-28. When he was unable to get going against Arkansas, the same result happened. The Gamecock offense was lackluster and with a hapless defensive effort, South Carolina lost 41-20 in front of their home crowd where they hadn’t lost all season. Lattimore will be going against a Florida defense that has allowed 121.2 rushing yards per game this season, which is good for 27th in the nation, so look for the Gamecocks to try to loosen up that front-seven for Florida and open up some opportunities in the passing game.
Freshman Marcus Lattimore has proven that he is a big factor in whether South Carolina’s offense is effective this year. In the first half of South Carolina’s loss at Kentucky, the Gamecocks racked up a 28-10 lead behind Lattimore’s 212 total yards. Without him in the second half, the Gamecocks were ineffective and held scoreless, losing 31-28. When he was unable to get going against Arkansas, the same result happened. The Gamecock offense was lackluster and with a hapless defensive effort, South Carolina lost 41-20 in front of their home crowd where they hadn’t lost all season. Lattimore will be going against a Florida defense that has allowed 121.2 rushing yards per game this season, which is good for 27th in the nation, so look for the Gamecocks to try to loosen up that front-seven for Florida and open up some opportunities in the passing game.
Key Players:
South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia
Garcia struggled last week in the absence of a running game. The ball was placed in his hands and he was forced into a position where he had to take the reins and win the game for Carolina. That isn’t where he is going to be effective. He was pressured often by Arkansas and was forced into tough 3rd and longs and threw two interceptions. If he can get some help from the running game, he should be more effective and have a chance to make some big plays and help the Gamecocks get to their first SEC Championship Game in school history.
South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia
Garcia struggled last week in the absence of a running game. The ball was placed in his hands and he was forced into a position where he had to take the reins and win the game for Carolina. That isn’t where he is going to be effective. He was pressured often by Arkansas and was forced into tough 3rd and longs and threw two interceptions. If he can get some help from the running game, he should be more effective and have a chance to make some big plays and help the Gamecocks get to their first SEC Championship Game in school history.
Florida QB John Brantley
Brantley was very efficient for the Gators last week, splitting time with Jordan Reed. He threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns in a comfortable Florida victory at Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks will need to pressure Brantley and try to cause some turnovers if they hope to stop Florida’s offensive attack. Look for Brantley to find holes in South Carolina’s struggling secondary and try to jump out to an early lead.
Brantley was very efficient for the Gators last week, splitting time with Jordan Reed. He threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns in a comfortable Florida victory at Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks will need to pressure Brantley and try to cause some turnovers if they hope to stop Florida’s offensive attack. Look for Brantley to find holes in South Carolina’s struggling secondary and try to jump out to an early lead.
Prediction:
(23)South Carolina 28 (22)Florida 27
(23)South Carolina 28 (22)Florida 27
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