South Carolina: The Good – What a difference a season makes. Tell me for certain what’s great about SC besides its defensive line? Marcus Lattimore? IF he’s healthy. The jury’s still out on Connor “Happy Feet” Shaw, but he’ll have some solid defenses to prove his worth (Florida, LSU, Georgia, etc.). The offensive line has one senior and is replacing both tackles with children. Speaking of children, Steve Spurrier is likely to start the true freshman, 6-1, 170 pound Shaq Roland at receiver, perhaps the hardest position to adapt to in the jump from high school to college. After the prep star Roland there’s a whole lot of average; this group (along with Shaw) will have to step up to the plate quickly, as opposing teams will likely stack the box to stop Lattimore. We talk more about the SC defensive back seven below, not to mention the loss of one of the nation’s best defensive coordinators…but you should be getting a cold chill up your spine by now if you’re a Gamecock fan. To have another season like 2011, an awful lot of pieces need to fall into place – some of them dropping from high resting places.
Still, there’s no denying this defensive line is exceptional. Even with Melvin Ingram’s first round selection by the San Diego Chargers AND the Atlanta Falcon’s drafting Travian Robertson, the Gamecock defensive line might be a little better in 2012. And remember, the 2011 unit that was even better than it looked on paper, thanks to two throw away games against option teams. Defensive end Devin Taylor is ridiculously quick for a 6-8, 270 pound man. On the other end, Jadeveon Clowney matured throughout his true freshman campaign, especially with Taylor and Ingram drawing most of the attention. Clowney is 6-6, 260 pounds, possesses free safety speed, and a rare penchant for finding and removing the ball from its carrier. (Side note: Clowney getting the nod for first team Coaches preseason All-SEC was silly. Taylor battled double teams throughout 2011, which enabled Ingram and Clowney to have the freedom they did. Watch what happens when more teams key instead on Clowney this season.)
Senior Byron Jerideau played in all 13 games last year, and will drop his 318 pound frame smack dab in the middle of opposing lines. Meanwhile Kelcy Quarles returns at the other tackle spot after starting six games in 2011 as a true freshman, netting 28 tackles and earning third team Freshman All-America honors along the way. After these four there’s more depth and talent waiting in the wings.
The Bad – I'm concerned about the lack of tackle experience on the offensive line (See: Arkansas 2011 for how well that works out), and the 2012 Gamecock schedule is the Bizarro Georgia schedule. But we’ll pass on those concerns the same way opposing teams will pass on SC in 2012.
Carolina’s linebackers will do well if they’re simply as productive as last year’s unit, while we’re likely to see a material drop off in productivity out of the defensive backs. That’s assuming the starters can even stay healthy; CB Akeem Auguste and SS Brison Williams are recovering from injuries. If that wasn’t enough to give you pause, there’s not a lot of depth here – particularly at cornerback. As we noted above, defensive ends Devin Taylor and Jadaveon Clowney are über talented, but will this line be good enough to compensate for a very suspect back seven?
In a word – no. Georgia and Arkansas will pass all over this secondary – likely Tennessee too. The Gamecocks will also be beaten up by the time they wander down south to the Swamp, after losing in Red Stick to LSU. Even with a 100% healthy Marcus Lattimore, unless he’s also playing CB, Carolina loses three of these five. Even two losses could keep them out of Atlanta, considering UGA’s schedule.
It’s very possible SC finds itself 9-4 in December…or even 8-5
link: http://cfn.scout.com/2/1202454.html
Still, there’s no denying this defensive line is exceptional. Even with Melvin Ingram’s first round selection by the San Diego Chargers AND the Atlanta Falcon’s drafting Travian Robertson, the Gamecock defensive line might be a little better in 2012. And remember, the 2011 unit that was even better than it looked on paper, thanks to two throw away games against option teams. Defensive end Devin Taylor is ridiculously quick for a 6-8, 270 pound man. On the other end, Jadeveon Clowney matured throughout his true freshman campaign, especially with Taylor and Ingram drawing most of the attention. Clowney is 6-6, 260 pounds, possesses free safety speed, and a rare penchant for finding and removing the ball from its carrier. (Side note: Clowney getting the nod for first team Coaches preseason All-SEC was silly. Taylor battled double teams throughout 2011, which enabled Ingram and Clowney to have the freedom they did. Watch what happens when more teams key instead on Clowney this season.)
Senior Byron Jerideau played in all 13 games last year, and will drop his 318 pound frame smack dab in the middle of opposing lines. Meanwhile Kelcy Quarles returns at the other tackle spot after starting six games in 2011 as a true freshman, netting 28 tackles and earning third team Freshman All-America honors along the way. After these four there’s more depth and talent waiting in the wings.
The Bad – I'm concerned about the lack of tackle experience on the offensive line (See: Arkansas 2011 for how well that works out), and the 2012 Gamecock schedule is the Bizarro Georgia schedule. But we’ll pass on those concerns the same way opposing teams will pass on SC in 2012.
Carolina’s linebackers will do well if they’re simply as productive as last year’s unit, while we’re likely to see a material drop off in productivity out of the defensive backs. That’s assuming the starters can even stay healthy; CB Akeem Auguste and SS Brison Williams are recovering from injuries. If that wasn’t enough to give you pause, there’s not a lot of depth here – particularly at cornerback. As we noted above, defensive ends Devin Taylor and Jadaveon Clowney are über talented, but will this line be good enough to compensate for a very suspect back seven?
In a word – no. Georgia and Arkansas will pass all over this secondary – likely Tennessee too. The Gamecocks will also be beaten up by the time they wander down south to the Swamp, after losing in Red Stick to LSU. Even with a 100% healthy Marcus Lattimore, unless he’s also playing CB, Carolina loses three of these five. Even two losses could keep them out of Atlanta, considering UGA’s schedule.
It’s very possible SC finds itself 9-4 in December…or even 8-5
link: http://cfn.scout.com/2/1202454.html