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*** The book is essentially closed on another cathartic Carolina home win against Auburn. Even with a big rivalry game coming up on Saturday, here's to suggesting that Gamecock fans savor the last victory up until kickoff against the next Tigers - or even after.
Before we are completely onto Clemson, let's throw out a few odds and ends on the big picture front stemming from the win over Auburn.
- There's no doubt that there was something "extra" for players and coaches going into this one. Starting running back ZaQuandre White even discussed that notion with me and Wes Mitchell in our latest Garnet Trust interview on Monday.
Let's not pretend like there was not some additional motivation here. Players and coaches like surely remember that Mike Bobo - and Will Friend, the offensive line coach he was allowed to handpick and bring to Columbia - basically sent a message that they had more belief in Auburn and Bryan Harsin than South Carolina and Shane Beamer by leaving.
We documented during that saga that Shane Beamer wasn't going to beg either to stay, - South Carolina could have paid more if that's what it came down to - if the grass was thought by those two to be greener on the other side.
Narrator: "It wasn't greener."
- Looking back at the last contest, it stands out that there were several critical pass breakups for Carolina's defensive backs. Which leads to this: How about the job that Torrian Gray has done with this secondary? This is a group that lost four players that would have all been starters on this year's team - Jaycee Horn (NFL), Israel Mukuamu (NFL), John Dixon (transfer), and Jammie Robinson (transfer).
Gray and defensive coordinator Clayton White have cobbled together a group with just one guy that was a possible blue-chipper out of high school in Cam Smith. Both Smith and RJ Roderick have seems to improve. Jaylan Foster's gone from a walk-on who nearly transferred away from Columbia and played out of necessity last season to a Thorpe Award semifinalist. Darius Rush and Marcellas Dial have come along in their first real action at this level. David Spaulding and Carlins Platel transferred up from lower levels, meaning this is their first year playing in FBS.
This isn't a dominant group by any means, but to say it's been better than anticipated going in? Absolutely.
- It's been great to see Josh Vann come up with his best season as a Gamecock. He's a prime example of why it's not always wise to give up on a player who has talent, even late into a career. I came into this season convinced that the towel shouldn't be thrown in on his potential; Vann has responded to the call to become this team's top receiving threat.
His uptick in production has resulted in some legitimate professional prospects. We've been told that Vann is not dead set on leaving for the NFL - he has another season if he wishes - but indications are that after the season that the Peach State product is going to have a decision to make. Based on what we've heard in the scouting world, Vann is being pegged by some as a guy that has a chance to get as high as the middle rounds if he came out following the season.
- If you missed the SEC Inside episode that featured the Carolina/Auburn game on Tuesday night, it was a good one.
Shane Beamer got the lion's share of the air time, with the camera crew focusing intently on his sideline mannerisms and locker room conversations.The episode only served as reinforcement to the notion that this team has taken on Beamer's personality. He's positive, loose, and energetic. Beamer's stamp on the program has served to lead this team through some adversity and has created a better on-field result than some anticipated going into this year.
Along these lines, TigerIllustrated.com asked me to answer some questions for a preview piece this week, and we'll link it for GamecockCentral.com subscribers once its release.
Paul Strelow's first question to me was regarding a college football landscape that's rapidly changed even within the 2021 season. Included in that are some of the local and national feelings regarding Shane Beamer, with early
What, Strelow asked, changed in Columbia? Here's my answer:
"I would begin by pointing not to something that's changed, but to something that's stayed the same. In my mind, the biggest factor for this team staying the course in year one is the approach that Shane Beamer has taken from day one in building his program. While many coaches use "culture" and other platitudes as buzzwords to the point of annoyance - insert a Butch Jones reference here for the TI faithful - Beamer is sincere in having values that he speaks about be genuine, not words on a wall or something to print on a glossy recruiting graphic.
There are some other things: getting the running back room fully healthy, a better than anticipated defensive performance, a spark at quarterback. Those, to me, are secondary to what's come from up top.
The most important thing that Beamer has done to this point is to establish belief in this team. Some folks have criticized Beamer for his presence on social media and his sometimes overwhelming positivity. Yet, isn't that what this team needed? The 2018 season featured 6 wins, 2019 had 4, and then 2020 happened. The Gamecocks won two games last season and just about everyone in the facility was generally miserable by the end of the year, having withstood a lot of losing on top of all that came with COVID-19.This team hasn't been consistent in terms of results this year, but the effort has been consistent. Go back and watch the Gamecocks as the team doled out a whipping against Florida, got whipped itself against Tennessee or Texas A&M, or staged a home comeback after falling behind 14-0 to Auburn; you will see a team that plays hard throughout the game. You'll see a team that plays together and seems to enjoy the game.
Shane Beamer often points out how he's been preparing for this opportunity for a long time, having worked under some of the game's top coaches - and lots of different personalities and approaches. He seems to have taken some notes from each. For instance, when Beamer is adamant that his team is going to celebrate each win - no matter the opponent or the manner in which it was accomplished - you can certainly see some shades of Swinney's approach
There's plenty of work to be done for Beamer in attempting to reach - and climb past - programs that South Carolina must play every season, programs that the Gamecocks have fallen behind in recent years. This squad needs more talent, more depth, and there will be even more intense scrutiny of the offense once the 2021 regular season wraps. In year one, however, Beamer has established a foundation that he can build upon in the coming seasons. The program itself has an identity, and it has Beamer's fingerprints all over it."
*** Now, onto some thoughts about the Clemson matchup.
While this Tigers team has certainly not posted the offensive production - or season results - anticipated heading into this year, it's still a quality team.
One thing that stands out about Clemson is just how many close games it has gotten itself into this season. Against FBS teams, Clemson has posted the following margins: 7, 6, 6, 3, 10, 10, 6, and 21 and is 6-3 in those games. Only against Wake Forest last week did the Tigers have a margin of loss or victory greater than 10. One of those 10-pointers - a win over FSU - was somewhat misleading with a late fumble recovery for touchdown accounting for a score.
Carolina's also been in some close affairs - on the winning and losing side - but also a few of the more lopsided variety. Shane Beamer spoke during the Auburn game of getting to the game to the fourth quarter and trying to go win it. Can the Gamecocks get there on Saturday?
While a significant storyline going into this one has been Carolina's defense and the ability to hold serve against a Clemson offense that has battled injuries and inconsistencies all year, there's one that's greater to me.
Even with a strong defensive performance, there are still significant questions about South Carolina's ability to score points against the Tigers. Brent Venables is going to throw a lot of eye candy and pressures at this offensive front and at Jason Brown, and the Tigers have wreaked some havoc this year in terms of negative plays and sacks. This will be the second-best defense - in my estimation - that South Carolina's seen this season, so points will be at a premium.
*** In closing: a sincere thank you to all our members at GamecockCentral.com. We appreciate all of you so much and thank you for spending time - and your money - with us. Hope you're enjoying the content, and just know that we have a lot more planned to continue making your experience with us better!
(Subliminal message to also check out Garnet Trust)
Everyone have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
Post Up Careers can guide you through this process with their customized resume services. Get personalized coaching to up your game in the job market with Post Up Careers, a company whose mission is to help you navigate all aspects of your career: resume writing, interview preparation, LinkedIn optimization, and much more. Make your talents stand out with the help of a company owned by a lifelong Carolina fan and alumnus – visit PostUpCareers.com or email franklin@postupcareers.com today.
*** The book is essentially closed on another cathartic Carolina home win against Auburn. Even with a big rivalry game coming up on Saturday, here's to suggesting that Gamecock fans savor the last victory up until kickoff against the next Tigers - or even after.
Before we are completely onto Clemson, let's throw out a few odds and ends on the big picture front stemming from the win over Auburn.
- There's no doubt that there was something "extra" for players and coaches going into this one. Starting running back ZaQuandre White even discussed that notion with me and Wes Mitchell in our latest Garnet Trust interview on Monday.
Let's not pretend like there was not some additional motivation here. Players and coaches like surely remember that Mike Bobo - and Will Friend, the offensive line coach he was allowed to handpick and bring to Columbia - basically sent a message that they had more belief in Auburn and Bryan Harsin than South Carolina and Shane Beamer by leaving.
We documented during that saga that Shane Beamer wasn't going to beg either to stay, - South Carolina could have paid more if that's what it came down to - if the grass was thought by those two to be greener on the other side.
Narrator: "It wasn't greener."
- Looking back at the last contest, it stands out that there were several critical pass breakups for Carolina's defensive backs. Which leads to this: How about the job that Torrian Gray has done with this secondary? This is a group that lost four players that would have all been starters on this year's team - Jaycee Horn (NFL), Israel Mukuamu (NFL), John Dixon (transfer), and Jammie Robinson (transfer).
Gray and defensive coordinator Clayton White have cobbled together a group with just one guy that was a possible blue-chipper out of high school in Cam Smith. Both Smith and RJ Roderick have seems to improve. Jaylan Foster's gone from a walk-on who nearly transferred away from Columbia and played out of necessity last season to a Thorpe Award semifinalist. Darius Rush and Marcellas Dial have come along in their first real action at this level. David Spaulding and Carlins Platel transferred up from lower levels, meaning this is their first year playing in FBS.
This isn't a dominant group by any means, but to say it's been better than anticipated going in? Absolutely.
- It's been great to see Josh Vann come up with his best season as a Gamecock. He's a prime example of why it's not always wise to give up on a player who has talent, even late into a career. I came into this season convinced that the towel shouldn't be thrown in on his potential; Vann has responded to the call to become this team's top receiving threat.
His uptick in production has resulted in some legitimate professional prospects. We've been told that Vann is not dead set on leaving for the NFL - he has another season if he wishes - but indications are that after the season that the Peach State product is going to have a decision to make. Based on what we've heard in the scouting world, Vann is being pegged by some as a guy that has a chance to get as high as the middle rounds if he came out following the season.
- If you missed the SEC Inside episode that featured the Carolina/Auburn game on Tuesday night, it was a good one.
Shane Beamer got the lion's share of the air time, with the camera crew focusing intently on his sideline mannerisms and locker room conversations.The episode only served as reinforcement to the notion that this team has taken on Beamer's personality. He's positive, loose, and energetic. Beamer's stamp on the program has served to lead this team through some adversity and has created a better on-field result than some anticipated going into this year.
Along these lines, TigerIllustrated.com asked me to answer some questions for a preview piece this week, and we'll link it for GamecockCentral.com subscribers once its release.
Paul Strelow's first question to me was regarding a college football landscape that's rapidly changed even within the 2021 season. Included in that are some of the local and national feelings regarding Shane Beamer, with early
What, Strelow asked, changed in Columbia? Here's my answer:
"I would begin by pointing not to something that's changed, but to something that's stayed the same. In my mind, the biggest factor for this team staying the course in year one is the approach that Shane Beamer has taken from day one in building his program. While many coaches use "culture" and other platitudes as buzzwords to the point of annoyance - insert a Butch Jones reference here for the TI faithful - Beamer is sincere in having values that he speaks about be genuine, not words on a wall or something to print on a glossy recruiting graphic.
There are some other things: getting the running back room fully healthy, a better than anticipated defensive performance, a spark at quarterback. Those, to me, are secondary to what's come from up top.
The most important thing that Beamer has done to this point is to establish belief in this team. Some folks have criticized Beamer for his presence on social media and his sometimes overwhelming positivity. Yet, isn't that what this team needed? The 2018 season featured 6 wins, 2019 had 4, and then 2020 happened. The Gamecocks won two games last season and just about everyone in the facility was generally miserable by the end of the year, having withstood a lot of losing on top of all that came with COVID-19.This team hasn't been consistent in terms of results this year, but the effort has been consistent. Go back and watch the Gamecocks as the team doled out a whipping against Florida, got whipped itself against Tennessee or Texas A&M, or staged a home comeback after falling behind 14-0 to Auburn; you will see a team that plays hard throughout the game. You'll see a team that plays together and seems to enjoy the game.
Shane Beamer often points out how he's been preparing for this opportunity for a long time, having worked under some of the game's top coaches - and lots of different personalities and approaches. He seems to have taken some notes from each. For instance, when Beamer is adamant that his team is going to celebrate each win - no matter the opponent or the manner in which it was accomplished - you can certainly see some shades of Swinney's approach
There's plenty of work to be done for Beamer in attempting to reach - and climb past - programs that South Carolina must play every season, programs that the Gamecocks have fallen behind in recent years. This squad needs more talent, more depth, and there will be even more intense scrutiny of the offense once the 2021 regular season wraps. In year one, however, Beamer has established a foundation that he can build upon in the coming seasons. The program itself has an identity, and it has Beamer's fingerprints all over it."
*** Now, onto some thoughts about the Clemson matchup.
While this Tigers team has certainly not posted the offensive production - or season results - anticipated heading into this year, it's still a quality team.
One thing that stands out about Clemson is just how many close games it has gotten itself into this season. Against FBS teams, Clemson has posted the following margins: 7, 6, 6, 3, 10, 10, 6, and 21 and is 6-3 in those games. Only against Wake Forest last week did the Tigers have a margin of loss or victory greater than 10. One of those 10-pointers - a win over FSU - was somewhat misleading with a late fumble recovery for touchdown accounting for a score.
Carolina's also been in some close affairs - on the winning and losing side - but also a few of the more lopsided variety. Shane Beamer spoke during the Auburn game of getting to the game to the fourth quarter and trying to go win it. Can the Gamecocks get there on Saturday?
While a significant storyline going into this one has been Carolina's defense and the ability to hold serve against a Clemson offense that has battled injuries and inconsistencies all year, there's one that's greater to me.
Even with a strong defensive performance, there are still significant questions about South Carolina's ability to score points against the Tigers. Brent Venables is going to throw a lot of eye candy and pressures at this offensive front and at Jason Brown, and the Tigers have wreaked some havoc this year in terms of negative plays and sacks. This will be the second-best defense - in my estimation - that South Carolina's seen this season, so points will be at a premium.
*** In closing: a sincere thank you to all our members at GamecockCentral.com. We appreciate all of you so much and thank you for spending time - and your money - with us. Hope you're enjoying the content, and just know that we have a lot more planned to continue making your experience with us better!
(Subliminal message to also check out Garnet Trust)
Everyone have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
