GCF South Carolina @ Tennessee Game Preview, Prediction & Discussion Thread

[FeatheredCock]

 GCF  South Carolina @ Tennessee Game Preview, Prediction & Discussion Thread

Oct.06, 2021

South Carolina football will be on the road again for an SEC East face-off with Tennessee this Saturday in Knoxville.

The Gamecocks look to keep moving in the positive direction after eking out a 23-14 win at home against Sun Belt opponent Troy last Saturday. South Carolina hasn’t won an SEC game yet, falling to Georgia in Athens and Kentucky at home, and its defense will have its hands full this week as Tennessee has started to find an offensive groove midway through the season.

The Volunteers ran away  literally with a convincing 62-24 win at Missouri last week, scoring on all but one drive and putting up 683 total yards of offense. Tennessee rushers combined for 458 yards on the ground, with junior running back (and Hartsville native) Tiyon Evans scoring three touchdowns with 157 yards on 15 touches, an average of 10.4 yards per carry.

Tennessee has won its two most recent meetings with South Carolina, including a close 31-27 victory in Columbia to open last year’s all-SEC slate in late September. The Gamecocks haven’t fared well in Knoxville historically, going 3-17 in their matchups played at Neyland Stadium.


HOW TO WATCH SOUTH CAROLINA @ TENNESSEE FOOTBALL GAME


Who: South Carolina Gamecocks (3-2, 0-2 SEC) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (3-2, 1-1 SEC)

Where: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

When: Noon Saturday

TV: ESPN2

Stream: via ESPN app

TENNESSEE RECAP

Tennessee got into a rhythm in its ground game against Missouri, though the Tigers’ run defense ranks dead last in the FBS. Still, the Vols annihilated Mizzou’s defensive front in route to 62-24 win had 458-yard on 59 carries to end the day. Through its first five games, Tennessee averages 255 rush yards per game, good for second in the SEC.

Defensively, Tennessee isn’t as formidable as the most recent opponents South Carolina has faced, allowing an average of 339.2 yards per game. South Carolina has an opportunity to find success in the air against the Vols, ranked No. 12 in the SEC allowing 235.2 passing yards per game. The interesting piece about Tennessee’s place is that a win over the Gamecocks could be needed to earn a bowl berth. The Vols, sitting at 3-2 through their first five games, have a tougher stretch ahead with Ole Miss, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia after South Carolina.

 TENNESSEE PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Tiyon Evans, RB: Tennessee’s leading rusher is averaging almost 92 yards per game and has explosive play ability, breaking away for a 92-yard touchdown run against Missouri. Evans has accumulated 367 yards on 57 attempts for five touchdowns this season.
  
• Hendon Hooker, QB: The Virginia Tech transfer is getting comfortable in Knoxville, completing 68.5% of his passes for 838 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception after taking over in Week 2. He’s also mobile, accumulating another 216 yards on 46 attempts on the ground.
  
• Jaylen McCollough, DB: McCollough brought in his second interception of the season against Missouri and has also deflected three passes. The 6-foot junior ranks third on the team with 15 tackles.
  

GAMECOCK RECAP

The offense was supposed to be a work in progress this season, and that’s been the case over the last four games with wins only against FBS teams. The defense, though, has been terrific. Struggling against Georgia is struggling against Georgia  whatever. Everyone is going to have a problem with the Dawgs.

The D was able to hold down a dangerous East Carolina offense and slowed down Kentucky and Troy to a dead stop. The Gamecocks have allowed more than 17 points just once. They’re coming up with tons of takeaways 14 on the year with two or more in every game.

GAMECOCK PLAYERS TO WATCH

• QB Luke Doty set career marks for passing yards, passing attempts and completions in the win over Troy last week as he torched the Trojans defense with an efficiency the Gamecocks have lacked at the quarterback position since Jake Bentley’s first three seasons in Columbia.
  
• RB Kevin Harris, is this the break out game for Harris and for the offensive line to get better and Harris to continue to feel better. So far in 2021, Harris has rushed for 140 yards on the ground. Last year, he finished second to only Alabama’s Najee Harris with 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns. Harris will look to turn his season around as the Gamecocks go up against Tennessee at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday on ESPN2.
  
• WR Josh Vann played in 32 games in his first 3 seasons, but he had only 377 career receiving yards to show for it.. He has 344 yards for the season and  21.4 yard average per reception, Vann has established himself as the Gamecocks’ No. 1 receiver.
  

The Game prediction:

It took a while for the Tennessee coaching staff to find there man, Hooker is the best quarterback on the roster. Will it pay off. The Gamecocks will grind things down to a halt. The South Carolina defense really is that good, and the offense will find a way to pull it out at the end. Gamecocks will move the ball enough to get by, the defense will hold firm, and it’ll be a key fourth win for the Gamecocks. In a close one.

Prediction
Prediction Gamecocks' 21 Tennessee 17

The Line
Line: Tennessee -10.5

 

[kingofnerf]

Satt talks like Doty is on the verge of turning the corner on the foot injury.  Hopefully this is the game where the offense starts to come alive one way or another.

 

[Spur's Addiction]

Satt talks like Doty is on the verge of turning the corner on the foot injury.  Hopefully this is the game where the offense starts to come alive one way or another.

Tomorrow is as good as any to have a break-out game. If/when Doty becomes a legitimate threat to run, it will open up the passing game.   

 

[kingofnerf]

Shane seemed kinda flat on Carolina Calls last night, but the people calling in were excited and looking forward to the game.

Todd pointed out that most of our games at Rocky Top have close, low-scoring affairs.

They said the other day on 107.5 that they thought a 7-point spread was more realistic and I still think a 7-point spread either way with this year's team means very little.

I will go with Feathered's 21-17 prediction.

 

[Traveling Man]

Tennessee is not going to rack up 500 yards of offence in this game, that's about the only thing I am confident of. On paper, we should be capable of running the ball against this defense. Doty needs to roll out to the strong side and hit someone to open up things up. I don't think we can pass block so we better have a plan. Defensively,  if we can get off the field on 3rd down we will have a chance. If Tennessee gets in a rhythm, look out.  I'm hoping this Quarterback tests our secondary, if he does I feel good about our chances of getting another pick. Our Safeties are well coached and opportunistic. If our offence can find a way to move the chains I feel we can make this a close game. My gut says we drop this game albeit a nail biter. Go Cocks

Tenn-27

Cocks-24

 

[FeatheredCock]

The Tennessee offense runs close to 75 plays a game. The Gamecock defense has to keep pace with Tennessee offense and the Gamecock offense has to do there part as well if any chance in winning Saturday. 

Through five games of the season, Clayton White’s South Carolina defense has shown a propensity for generating game-changing plays, leading the Southeastern Conference in turnovers and ranking 26th in the country in total defense. However, the Gamecocks (3-2, 0-2 SEC) haven’t faced an offense quite like the one they’ll encounter at Tennessee (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday. Led by first-year head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers operate at breakneck speed, putting defenses on their toes with an up-tempo, no-huddle approach.

All week long in practice, White and the Gamecocks coaches have emphasized the importance of lining up quickly and matching that pace. There’s no time to dilly-dally, no time to celebrate after a big play. “You really got to have a plan,” White said. “You also got to continue to coach them on the little things. For example, if you make a play, this is not a time to turn around and do a five-second celebration. It’s time to get up, eyes to the sideline and play with a lot of sense of urgency. That’s kind of the word of the week here. Just move around fast, and you got to have a great sense of urgency, understand what’s going on with Tennessee and how they run the offense.”

The Volunteers have played fast from the get-go this season. In Week 1 against Bowling Green, Tennessee ran a whopping 88 plays on offense, leading the FBS with 3.37 plays per minute. Among the Vols’ 26 touchdown drives, 21 have taken three minutes or less. Tennessee ranks 10th in the country in scoring offense while also ranking 125th among 130 FBS teams in time of possession, showing just how little time the Vols need to get down the field. They’re averaging 75.8 plays per game after big days against Missouri (78) and Tennessee Tech (79).

The Gamecock defense It’s hard to single out one player here, but South Carolina has to find a way to slow the run on Saturday in a way it hasn’t all season. Tennessee heads into the contest tied for seventh nationally in rushing offense at 255 yards per game. The Volunteers also ran for an absurd 458 yards on 59 carries a week ago at Missouri and are averaging more than 6.3 yards per touch in SEC play. UT running backs Tiyon Evans (3rd) and Jabari Small (11th) both rank in the top 12 in the league in rushing with more than 230 yards each. South Carolina, by contrast, has been leaky against the run through the first month of the season. The Gamecocks have surrendered at least 116 yards and one touchdown in each of its four contests against FBS competition in 2021. The Gamecocks' also allowing 207 yards per game on the ground against SEC teams this year.

South Carolina has struggled to run the football in 2021. This isn’t exactly a secret, but it continues to cause problems for offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield’s unit. The Gamecocks currently rank 11th in the Southeastern Conference in rush yards per game and 103rd nationally. Harris, who led the SEC in rushing a season ago, hasn’t eclipsed 49 yards in any of his four games this season.

McDowell, by contrast, has been as effective a runner as South Carolina has had this season. The freshman quickly climbed the depth chart and showed out in the Gamecock's Week 2 win over East Carolina. South Carolina has made a conscious effort to try and get Harris and McDowell going early this year to no avail. If the Gamecocks hopes to control tempo to any degree against Tennessee’s high-flying offense, it’ll have to find a running game.

South Carolina has struggled mightily against FBS competition in converting on third down. Some of that comes with what plays are called on first and second down. The other piece is simply misfiring on third down.

In fairness, the Gamecocks haven’t exactly given themselves tons of good looks. South Carolina has attempted 39 of its 68 third downs this year from 3rd and 5 or more. Of those, The Gamecocks' have only converted seven times. That said, South Carolina has been good in short-yardage situations, sitting at 10 of 15 on third downs of four or less and 5 of 10 on fourth down. Gamecocks can’t afford to get into a shootout with Tennessee this weekend. The Volunteers are averaging more than 40 points per game this year, and the Gamecocks have yet to score more than 13 points against SEC competition in 2021.

 

[CockyinVa]

The Tennessee offense runs close to 75 plays a game. The Gamecock defense has to keep pace with Tennessee offense and the Gamecock offense has to do there part as well if any chance in winning Saturday. 

Through five games of the season, Clayton White’s South Carolina defense has shown a propensity for generating game-changing plays, leading the Southeastern Conference in turnovers and ranking 26th in the country in total defense. However, the Gamecocks (3-2, 0-2 SEC) haven’t faced an offense quite like the one they’ll encounter at Tennessee (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday. Led by first-year head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers operate at breakneck speed, putting defenses on their toes with an up-tempo, no-huddle approach.

All week long in practice, White and the Gamecocks coaches have emphasized the importance of lining up quickly and matching that pace. There’s no time to dilly-dally, no time to celebrate after a big play. “You really got to have a plan,” White said. “You also got to continue to coach them on the little things. For example, if you make a play, this is not a time to turn around and do a five-second celebration. It’s time to get up, eyes to the sideline and play with a lot of sense of urgency. That’s kind of the word of the week here. Just move around fast, and you got to have a great sense of urgency, understand what’s going on with Tennessee and how they run the offense.”

The Volunteers have played fast from the get-go this season. In Week 1 against Bowling Green, Tennessee ran a whopping 88 plays on offense, leading the FBS with 3.37 plays per minute. Among the Vols’ 26 touchdown drives, 21 have taken three minutes or less. Tennessee ranks 10th in the country in scoring offense while also ranking 125th among 130 FBS teams in time of possession, showing just how little time the Vols need to get down the field. They’re averaging 75.8 plays per game after big days against Missouri (78) and Tennessee Tech (79).

The Gamecock defense It’s hard to single out one player here, but South Carolina has to find a way to slow the run on Saturday in a way it hasn’t all season. Tennessee heads into the contest tied for seventh nationally in rushing offense at 255 yards per game. The Volunteers also ran for an absurd 458 yards on 59 carries a week ago at Missouri and are averaging more than 6.3 yards per touch in SEC play. UT running backs Tiyon Evans (3rd) and Jabari Small (11th) both rank in the top 12 in the league in rushing with more than 230 yards each. South Carolina, by contrast, has been leaky against the run through the first month of the season. The Gamecocks have surrendered at least 116 yards and one touchdown in each of its four contests against FBS competition in 2021. The Gamecocks' also allowing 207 yards per game on the ground against SEC teams this year.

South Carolina has struggled to run the football in 2021. This isn’t exactly a secret, but it continues to cause problems for offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield’s unit. The Gamecocks currently rank 11th in the Southeastern Conference in rush yards per game and 103rd nationally. Harris, who led the SEC in rushing a season ago, hasn’t eclipsed 49 yards in any of his four games this season.

McDowell, by contrast, has been as effective a runner as South Carolina has had this season. The freshman quickly climbed the depth chart and showed out in the Gamecock's Week 2 win over East Carolina. South Carolina has made a conscious effort to try and get Harris and McDowell going early this year to no avail. If the Gamecocks hopes to control tempo to any degree against Tennessee’s high-flying offense, it’ll have to find a running game.

South Carolina has struggled mightily against FBS competition in converting on third down. Some of that comes with what plays are called on first and second down. The other piece is simply misfiring on third down.

In fairness, the Gamecocks haven’t exactly given themselves tons of good looks. South Carolina has attempted 39 of its 68 third downs this year from 3rd and 5 or more. Of those, The Gamecocks' have only converted seven times. That said, South Carolina has been good in short-yardage situations, sitting at 10 of 15 on third downs of four or less and 5 of 10 on fourth down. Gamecocks can’t afford to get into a shootout with Tennessee this weekend. The Volunteers are averaging more than 40 points per game this year, and the Gamecocks have yet to score more than 13 points against SEC competition in 2021.

Sounds like we need to stack the box and rely on our secondary.  Do we need to utilize both Doty and Noland mixed with some Joyner wildcat.  Need some O to keep UT's O off the field and our D fresh.  I know Satt talks about staying with the game play but it needs a lot of wrinkles today.   Otherwise I might better save the beer/frustration and just get some yard work done.

 

[FeatheredCock]

Yeah the Gamecock could get run off the field here the offense needs to step up now not next year in order to win today. 

 

[kingofnerf]

Sounds like we need to stack the box and rely on our secondary.  Do we need to utilize both Doty and Noland mixed with some Joyner wildcat.  Need some O to keep UT's O off the field and our D fresh.  I know Satt talks about staying with the game play but it needs a lot of wrinkles today.   Otherwise I might better save the beer/frustration and just get some yard work done.

It is soggy and rainy down here like it has been for the past several days.

The last couple of games I have done yard work early and enjoyed beer with food, then flopped on the bed and listened to the game on the radio.

Can't do that today and the game is much earlier.  I may go see the new Bond movie later in the day, so I will hold off on the beer today.

Traffic on I-26 is usually horrendous all day Saturdays and might be even worse today because of the weather.

Thinking about maybe converting some old VHS tapes to DVD this weekend to pass the time as well.