5 key things for South Carolina: Go bowling
Nov. 17, 2016
South Carolina’s SEC season is behind it now, but two games remain. The Gamecocks host Western Carolina this season before hitting the road to play Clemson.
We take a look at the keys for the Gamecocks against the Catamounts:
1. Go bowling
It’s pretty simple. South Carolina needs a win to reach bowl eligibility. If the Gamecocks don’t want to leave the prospect of playing December football to be decided in the final game against Clemson, they need to beat Western Carolina on Saturday. Get to win No. 6, then focus ahead on the rivalry with Clemson without having to wonder about the postseason.
2. Right the ship
South Carolina was cruising along for three weeks, scoring 30 points per game and finding answers that had been out of reach all season. Last week against Florida was a setback in many regards, but Western Carolina provides a perfect opportunity to get right back on track.
3. Keep Bentley clean
Jake Bentley has been sacked 14 times in the past three games, which is the result of a few different issues. It starts up front, but goes to the wide receivers not necessarily being open quickly – the Florida game being an example of that. It also is a product of Bentley holding onto the ball too long, at times.
The freshman quarterback has handled the pressure and the hits well, but a game with fewer of them would be a welcome sight for the Gamecocks.
4. No playing down
The comparisons will be made all week: South Carolina lost to Citadel last season. Are they valid? Not really. Citadel is a very good team this year with many of the same players. Western Carolina is not very good. But still, the lesson from last year has to apply. The Gamecocks can’t take an FCS opponent lightly, especially with what it is on the line for their season.
5. Home love
For whatever reason, South Carolina is a vastly different team when it plays at Williams-Brice Stadium. That’s great news for games as home, but bad news for road games. This one is a home game, though, so the Gamecocks have to be feeling good about returning to play they have a 4-3 record.
Plus, it’s senior day and it should be an emotional day for all those departing the South Carolina program.
Nov. 17, 2016
South Carolina’s SEC season is behind it now, but two games remain. The Gamecocks host Western Carolina this season before hitting the road to play Clemson.
We take a look at the keys for the Gamecocks against the Catamounts:
1. Go bowling
It’s pretty simple. South Carolina needs a win to reach bowl eligibility. If the Gamecocks don’t want to leave the prospect of playing December football to be decided in the final game against Clemson, they need to beat Western Carolina on Saturday. Get to win No. 6, then focus ahead on the rivalry with Clemson without having to wonder about the postseason.
2. Right the ship
South Carolina was cruising along for three weeks, scoring 30 points per game and finding answers that had been out of reach all season. Last week against Florida was a setback in many regards, but Western Carolina provides a perfect opportunity to get right back on track.
3. Keep Bentley clean
Jake Bentley has been sacked 14 times in the past three games, which is the result of a few different issues. It starts up front, but goes to the wide receivers not necessarily being open quickly – the Florida game being an example of that. It also is a product of Bentley holding onto the ball too long, at times.
The freshman quarterback has handled the pressure and the hits well, but a game with fewer of them would be a welcome sight for the Gamecocks.
4. No playing down
The comparisons will be made all week: South Carolina lost to Citadel last season. Are they valid? Not really. Citadel is a very good team this year with many of the same players. Western Carolina is not very good. But still, the lesson from last year has to apply. The Gamecocks can’t take an FCS opponent lightly, especially with what it is on the line for their season.
5. Home love
For whatever reason, South Carolina is a vastly different team when it plays at Williams-Brice Stadium. That’s great news for games as home, but bad news for road games. This one is a home game, though, so the Gamecocks have to be feeling good about returning to play they have a 4-3 record.
Plus, it’s senior day and it should be an emotional day for all those departing the South Carolina program.