Lattimore is special. Best player we've ever had at South Carolina - on and off the field. There is no replacing him. However, we will play better than we have all season.
Here's why:
1. Team is motivated
Without a doubt, the rest of the season will be dedicated to him. Miles and Davis will play their butts off for him. They are hard nosed runners who hit their gaps hard and get positive yards. This may be the motivation we need to get our OL focused and blocking better than they have all season.
2. Our running game will be better
I like the way Miles and Davis run. However, teams can't stack the box anymore with 8 guys looking to stop Lattimore. We don't have him now so we will be more balanced on offense and teams aren't afraid of our running game now.
Last year, we averaged nearly 200 yards per game on the ground when Lattimore went out (that includes only 79 yards against Arkansas). I think we will do the same this year.
3. Better play calling
Quite honestly, I think Spurrier is too conservative when Lattimore is back there. The evil genius has to crank things up and be more creative without him. I think we run a more balanced offense, throw it more, and keep defenses honest rather than waiting on us to run. Connor and Dylan can throw the ball and I think we will use our TEs more. We will spread the field more and it will make us a much more dangerous team.
4. The bye week
Guys will get focused, rested, healed, and motivated. The injury to Marcus this year was much more devastating than last year. This team will rally around that and be dedicated more than ever. I expect us to explode when we take the field against Arkansas. Offense and defense will be ready to play.
5. Schedule is easier
We don't play any good defenses on our schedule. This will help our offense as well. A more balanced spread offense with creative play calling against bad defenses will make this team dangerous.
I think these next three games will be the best three games you see us play all year. After Marcus' injury, I am ready to run through a brick wall and no team will stand in our way of dedicating the rest of the season to him.
Here's why:
1. Team is motivated
Without a doubt, the rest of the season will be dedicated to him. Miles and Davis will play their butts off for him. They are hard nosed runners who hit their gaps hard and get positive yards. This may be the motivation we need to get our OL focused and blocking better than they have all season.
2. Our running game will be better
I like the way Miles and Davis run. However, teams can't stack the box anymore with 8 guys looking to stop Lattimore. We don't have him now so we will be more balanced on offense and teams aren't afraid of our running game now.
Last year, we averaged nearly 200 yards per game on the ground when Lattimore went out (that includes only 79 yards against Arkansas). I think we will do the same this year.
3. Better play calling
Quite honestly, I think Spurrier is too conservative when Lattimore is back there. The evil genius has to crank things up and be more creative without him. I think we run a more balanced offense, throw it more, and keep defenses honest rather than waiting on us to run. Connor and Dylan can throw the ball and I think we will use our TEs more. We will spread the field more and it will make us a much more dangerous team.
4. The bye week
Guys will get focused, rested, healed, and motivated. The injury to Marcus this year was much more devastating than last year. This team will rally around that and be dedicated more than ever. I expect us to explode when we take the field against Arkansas. Offense and defense will be ready to play.
5. Schedule is easier
We don't play any good defenses on our schedule. This will help our offense as well. A more balanced spread offense with creative play calling against bad defenses will make this team dangerous.
I think these next three games will be the best three games you see us play all year. After Marcus' injury, I am ready to run through a brick wall and no team will stand in our way of dedicating the rest of the season to him.
