It is officially game week folks!
1) I think one of the more interesting matchups this game is going to be Vanderbilt's skill position players vs USC's back 7. I think if there is one slight advantage Vandy has in this game it is with their skill position guys. This isn't a typical Vanderbilt squad built on defense and playing smart on offense. I believe the 2012 version is going to have the most pop it has had since Jay Cutler. The players to really keep an eye on are their running backs. We USC fans like to boast about our running back stable but Vandy has quietly put together an above average group of Zack Stacy, Warren Norman (if he is 100%), and EXPLOSIVE newcomer Brian Kimbrow. They also return two 6'3+ receivers in Chris Boyd and Jordan Matthews who are both go get it type receivers and Matthews quietly put together a really nice season last year especially starting after our game. The key will be for them to get consistent play from Jordan Rodgers. If he makes good decisions and is accurate, he could really have some success throwing to those 2 big targets and loosen our D up for Stacy and that crew to get going.
USC is going to have to flat out dominate upfront especially the interior which I think we are more than capable of. We can not allow Vandy to gash us right up the gut and we can't allow them to get in 2nd and short yardage situations where they can open up their playbook and use playaction to get downfield to those two receivers. If there was a soft spot in the USC defense last season it was up the gut at times (Georgia, Florida, Nebraska). With the big question marks at Cornerback, this game is going to be won by our 4 front controlling the game. Get Vandy in 3rd & 7+ yardage often and let the book ends do their thing.
I guess what I am saying in a nutshell is don't be surprised if the 'Dores really move the ball early on in the game. They have some experienced playmakers and a coach that knows offense. Playing at home will give them an extra jolt as well.
2) From a USC perspective, what I am really anxious to see is the 1st quarter offensive possessions. What kind of offense is Steve Spurrier and his staff game planning? Logic would say a heavy dose of zone read with more vertical passing but this is Steve Spurrier we are talking about and he has been doing a lot of crowing about his quarterbacks and receivers this Fall. At least to me, this tells me there will be a heavy dose of pass at least to start off. Do I agree with that? Well, somewhat if the offensive line is providing adequate protection. I am not worried at all about Connor Shaw or the receivers but I do have some questions about the pass protection with a new starter at LT who is a freshman and a relatively new starter at RG.
What I would really like to see is a methodical passing drive where we really work the middle of the field with the Tight Ends and with slip/quick screens to the receivers. Some of those type drives we had against Georgia in 2009 for those that can remember that game in Athens. Get Vandy to the point where they are trying to cover the entire field then come in with the zone plays to keep them off balanced and finally the bomb. I would save the deep ball to Byrd (you know its coming early) for when we are rhythm. But again, I'm not the playcaller and I'm willing to bet that we see at least 3 deep balls on the first 2 drives with a pass/run ratio of 70/30.
3) I expect a raucous environment Thursday night. I see a lot of fans saying 'oh, its Vandy' and I can tell you from living right on the Tennessee border that there is a good buzz about this game right now. I think that stadium is going to be noisy and an overall good SEC experience. I've seen that they have laid in a new turf and also have a new video board so I'm excited to see that. This will be my 5th SEC stadium and quite possibly my most anticipated trip so far! I am expecting a very strong Gamecock contingent and hopefully I'll be pounding celebration beers and cocktails Thursday and Friday night at the Stage on Broadway or wherever I end up with you guys!
1) I think one of the more interesting matchups this game is going to be Vanderbilt's skill position players vs USC's back 7. I think if there is one slight advantage Vandy has in this game it is with their skill position guys. This isn't a typical Vanderbilt squad built on defense and playing smart on offense. I believe the 2012 version is going to have the most pop it has had since Jay Cutler. The players to really keep an eye on are their running backs. We USC fans like to boast about our running back stable but Vandy has quietly put together an above average group of Zack Stacy, Warren Norman (if he is 100%), and EXPLOSIVE newcomer Brian Kimbrow. They also return two 6'3+ receivers in Chris Boyd and Jordan Matthews who are both go get it type receivers and Matthews quietly put together a really nice season last year especially starting after our game. The key will be for them to get consistent play from Jordan Rodgers. If he makes good decisions and is accurate, he could really have some success throwing to those 2 big targets and loosen our D up for Stacy and that crew to get going.
USC is going to have to flat out dominate upfront especially the interior which I think we are more than capable of. We can not allow Vandy to gash us right up the gut and we can't allow them to get in 2nd and short yardage situations where they can open up their playbook and use playaction to get downfield to those two receivers. If there was a soft spot in the USC defense last season it was up the gut at times (Georgia, Florida, Nebraska). With the big question marks at Cornerback, this game is going to be won by our 4 front controlling the game. Get Vandy in 3rd & 7+ yardage often and let the book ends do their thing.
I guess what I am saying in a nutshell is don't be surprised if the 'Dores really move the ball early on in the game. They have some experienced playmakers and a coach that knows offense. Playing at home will give them an extra jolt as well.
2) From a USC perspective, what I am really anxious to see is the 1st quarter offensive possessions. What kind of offense is Steve Spurrier and his staff game planning? Logic would say a heavy dose of zone read with more vertical passing but this is Steve Spurrier we are talking about and he has been doing a lot of crowing about his quarterbacks and receivers this Fall. At least to me, this tells me there will be a heavy dose of pass at least to start off. Do I agree with that? Well, somewhat if the offensive line is providing adequate protection. I am not worried at all about Connor Shaw or the receivers but I do have some questions about the pass protection with a new starter at LT who is a freshman and a relatively new starter at RG.
What I would really like to see is a methodical passing drive where we really work the middle of the field with the Tight Ends and with slip/quick screens to the receivers. Some of those type drives we had against Georgia in 2009 for those that can remember that game in Athens. Get Vandy to the point where they are trying to cover the entire field then come in with the zone plays to keep them off balanced and finally the bomb. I would save the deep ball to Byrd (you know its coming early) for when we are rhythm. But again, I'm not the playcaller and I'm willing to bet that we see at least 3 deep balls on the first 2 drives with a pass/run ratio of 70/30.
3) I expect a raucous environment Thursday night. I see a lot of fans saying 'oh, its Vandy' and I can tell you from living right on the Tennessee border that there is a good buzz about this game right now. I think that stadium is going to be noisy and an overall good SEC experience. I've seen that they have laid in a new turf and also have a new video board so I'm excited to see that. This will be my 5th SEC stadium and quite possibly my most anticipated trip so far! I am expecting a very strong Gamecock contingent and hopefully I'll be pounding celebration beers and cocktails Thursday and Friday night at the Stage on Broadway or wherever I end up with you guys!