UAB (1-0) at South Carolina (2-0) Sept. 15, 7:00, Fox Sports Net
Here’s The Deal: With an easy win over a plucky East Carolina team, South Carolina moved up to No. 8 in this week’s AP poll. Okay, so the Gamecocks are supposed to handle a visitor from Conference USA, but the fine print provided a few key details that separated the game from an ordinary rout. First, the program created five turnovers, which new defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward has been preaching since taking the job. And second, the victory came without injured starting QB Connor Shaw, who was more than adequately supplanted by Dylan Thompson. UAB gets back to work after sitting out last Saturday on a bye week. The Blazers dropped their first game for rookie head coach Garrick McGee, falling short at home to Troy, 39-29.
Why UAB Might Win: The Blazers showcased some pop on offense in Week 1, thanks to the myriad athletic skills of QB Jonathan Perry. The junior opened with 317 yards and two touchdowns through the air to go along with 46 yards and another score on the ground. He’ll keep the South Carolina defense from getting too comfortable in its reads, breaking containment at times, or stretching the secondary with help from big-play wide receivers Jackie Williams and Patrick Hearn.
Why South Carolina Might Win: Although the Gamecocks don’t need any extra reasons to ride star RB Marcus Lattimore, the UAB run defense will make the offensive gameplan rather obvious. In the opener, the Blazers were gashed by Troy RB Shawn Southward for 204 yards and three touchdowns. With enough touches, Lattimore could equal the Trojans’ ground production Saturday night. And once No. 21 begins rolling downhill, it’ll make it that much easier for Thompson or Shaw to connect with one of his streaking receivers on play-action passes.
What To Watch Out For: Welcome to the starting lineup, new Blazers offensive linemen. Now go out and try to protect Perry against one of the country’s surliest D-lines. South Carolina is downright nasty and disruptive at the point of attack, rolling out a trio of Gamecocks with All-SEC ceilings. With Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor on the edge, and knifing DT Kelcy Quarles on the inside, Perry will be forced to use his feet for a lot more than just designed runs this weekend.
What Will Happen: South Carolina’s biggest opponent will be itself, needing to avoid the temptation of looking ahead to next week’s SEC home opener with Missouri. The Gamecocks figure to romp in a matter-of-fact fashion, stampeding the overmatched Blazers with a familiar formula of a power running game and a stout defense. At some point in the second half, Steve Spurrier and his staff will be off Perry, focusing instead on stopping Mizzou’s James Franklin in Week 4.
CFN Prediction: South Carolina 47 … UAB 10
Here’s The Deal: With an easy win over a plucky East Carolina team, South Carolina moved up to No. 8 in this week’s AP poll. Okay, so the Gamecocks are supposed to handle a visitor from Conference USA, but the fine print provided a few key details that separated the game from an ordinary rout. First, the program created five turnovers, which new defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward has been preaching since taking the job. And second, the victory came without injured starting QB Connor Shaw, who was more than adequately supplanted by Dylan Thompson. UAB gets back to work after sitting out last Saturday on a bye week. The Blazers dropped their first game for rookie head coach Garrick McGee, falling short at home to Troy, 39-29.
Why UAB Might Win: The Blazers showcased some pop on offense in Week 1, thanks to the myriad athletic skills of QB Jonathan Perry. The junior opened with 317 yards and two touchdowns through the air to go along with 46 yards and another score on the ground. He’ll keep the South Carolina defense from getting too comfortable in its reads, breaking containment at times, or stretching the secondary with help from big-play wide receivers Jackie Williams and Patrick Hearn.
Why South Carolina Might Win: Although the Gamecocks don’t need any extra reasons to ride star RB Marcus Lattimore, the UAB run defense will make the offensive gameplan rather obvious. In the opener, the Blazers were gashed by Troy RB Shawn Southward for 204 yards and three touchdowns. With enough touches, Lattimore could equal the Trojans’ ground production Saturday night. And once No. 21 begins rolling downhill, it’ll make it that much easier for Thompson or Shaw to connect with one of his streaking receivers on play-action passes.
What To Watch Out For: Welcome to the starting lineup, new Blazers offensive linemen. Now go out and try to protect Perry against one of the country’s surliest D-lines. South Carolina is downright nasty and disruptive at the point of attack, rolling out a trio of Gamecocks with All-SEC ceilings. With Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor on the edge, and knifing DT Kelcy Quarles on the inside, Perry will be forced to use his feet for a lot more than just designed runs this weekend.
What Will Happen: South Carolina’s biggest opponent will be itself, needing to avoid the temptation of looking ahead to next week’s SEC home opener with Missouri. The Gamecocks figure to romp in a matter-of-fact fashion, stampeding the overmatched Blazers with a familiar formula of a power running game and a stout defense. At some point in the second half, Steve Spurrier and his staff will be off Perry, focusing instead on stopping Mizzou’s James Franklin in Week 4.
CFN Prediction: South Carolina 47 … UAB 10
