The South Carolina Gamecocks will look to add another ‘W’ to the win column this weekend as they face SEC East rival Missouri. This matchup is very important for the Gamecocks as they want to start off their in-conference play with a win. An interesting stat concerning last week’s matchup vs NC State is that it was the first win for a Jake Bentley led team outside of Williams-Brice Stadium. The game was played at a neutral site (Charlotte), so a win at Faurot Field in Columbia on Saturday would give Jake his first win on the road in the SEC. That’s big. Why? Because Jake and the Gamecocks have proven to play very well at home and any win away will be huge for the overall success of the season.
For this week’s edition I think it won’t come as any surprise that the players South Carolina is going to have to get control of are on the Offensive side of the ball. In reviewing the film, the biggest concern for Kurt Roper and his Offense will be if the Mizzou Offense gets rolling. Will the Gamecocks Offense be able to keep up? As far as individual players on the Defensive side for Mizzou, none scare me. Former Rivals top 50 player and Defensive Tackle Terry Beckner Jr is the most talented player on the Defensive side for the Tigers but he is coming off back to back season ending knee injuries and I think it will take most of the year before he truly starts to get his game back. There is a possibility we could see some flashes from Beckner on Saturday though.
The real threat from the Tigers is on the Offensive side. Although it was against a poor Missouri St. Defense, the Tigers put up 815 yards and 72 points. Let’s take a look at the players who will give the Gamecocks the biggest concern this Saturday.
1. Drew Lock – Quarterback – 6’4 225lbs.
High School – 4 Star, 5.8 QB out of Lee Summit, Missouri
Career Overview – Entering his 3rd season as a starter for the Tigers. In 2016 he led the SEC in passing yards at 3,399 yards while finishing second in the SEC in Yards per Game and Yards per Completion. He entered 2017 having thrown for 4,731 yards in his career which is already 8th best in school history.
How Mizzou will utilize him – Offensive Coordinator Josh Heupel will plant the Offense square on the shoulders of Lock and ask him to go win the game no matter what it takes. Lock will take every chance he gets to look deep and find open guys and he will look to do it at a blistering fast pace. Mizzou will try to get the snap off in a lot of downs with 20-25 seconds still left on the play clock. Lock does a really good job of distributing the ball around as last week he delivered passes to nine different receivers.
What SC needs to do to handle Lock – Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson will need to cause confusion for Lock. One thing I have noticed when watching Lock is that he has a tendency to stare down his target. I think the Gamecocks Defense will need to utilize a lot of pre-snap motion and movement in the back seven to cause Lock to second guess the information he is trying to process. Lock has proven to be an inaccurate thrower as he is completing around mid-50% of his passes. At the college level, that is really low. But, Lock is a true ‘Boom or Bust’ passer. I also think that creative blitzes up the middle can cause problems for Lock and the passing game. Because their passing game is so quick, it may be difficult to scheme outside blitzes effectively. But if Muschamp can create inside pressure and get in the face of the QB, it can really disrupt Lock. The ultimate hope would be if the Defensive Line could create pressure with just the front four and SC could send a blitzer, namely, Bryson Allen Williams up the middle.
2. Damarea Crockett – Running Back – 5’11 225lbs.
High School – 4 Star, 5.8 RB of Little Rock, Arkansas
Career Overview – Sophomore stud RB who is a big time playmaker. In 2016, Crockett broke Mizzou’s all time freshman rushing record by tallying over 1,000 yards rushing. Enters the 2017 season as the workhorse back and one of the better, more unheralded RB’s in the SEC. Rushed for over 200 yards and over 11 yards per carry in the opening week win vs Missouri State last weekend.
How Mizzou will utilize him – Crockett is a very good RB, one that NFL scouts will like when they put on the tape in a year or so. Oddly enough, he reminds me a lot of South Carolina RB Rico Dowdle. Crockett is a big back, listed at 225lbs, but he has really quick feet for a guy his size. Mizzou runs strictly out of a Shotgun formation and they rarely use Crockett in the passing game as he has five career receptions. Crockett is shifty, with power, and can break tackles. He has a really good stiff arm that he will utilize on a regular basis.
What SC needs to do to handle Crockett – The SC Defense will need to tackle well, just as they did versus NC St. Crockett is a good back who will be tough to bring down. Taylor Stallworth and the rest of the DL will need to push the Mizzou OL back and disrupt the timing of the handoff and Crockett’s first line of sight for the hole. It will also be very important for Defensive Ends Dante Sawyer and DJ Wonnum to set the edge and get Crockett to turn up field. Skai Moore and TJ Brunson are tackling machines. I am completely confident in their ability to get Crockett to the ground. Crockett has some speed, the Gamecocks Defense can’t let him get to the edge. The Mizzou WR’s block very well and it could mean trouble if he is able to run the ball wide.
3. J’Mon Moore – Wide Receiver – 6’3 205lbs
High School – 3 Star, 5.7 WR out of Missouri City, Texas
Career Overview – Moore is a Redshirt Senior who has led the Tigers in receiving the past two seasons. Moore had his breakout season in 2016 when he topped the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career while averaging a whopping 16.3 yards per reception. Moore is the top target and will be the main target this season from OC Josh Heupel and QB Drew Lock.
How Mizzou will utilize him – Moore is a long and rangy WR who will challenge the Gamecocks Secondary all over the field. They will use him in the screen game and also try and get him deep. Moore is fast and if the Gamecocks do not cover and tackle him well, he will make them pay. Moore has solid hands and can high point balls. As the same goes with the other Mizzou WR’s, Moore blocks very well in the run game. There is no doubt in my mind that Mizzou will test Moore on Gamecocks CB Jamarcus King.
What SC needs to do to handle Moore – The Gamecocks are going to have to ensure they use a Safety over top of Moore. If I were Travaris Robinson, I would shadow Chris Lammons to whichever side of the field Moore lines up on. I have some concerns with Jamarcus King as he has shown to play so hot and cold but the Gamecocks need a solid game from King on Saturday. Rashad Fenton is a tremendous cover CB but the concern with him is the height advantage he will be giving away when covering Moore, which will be about five inches. Moore had a huge game versus Missouri State as he hauled in 4 catches for 187 yards and a gigantic 46.8 yards per catch. I mentioned how well Moore blocks in the run game, the SC DB’s will need to ensure they thump Moore when he tries to engage and not let him get his hands on them and extend his arms when blocking.
**** INTERESTING BATTLE OF THE DAY ****
Lastly, I wanted to provide you with one of the matchups I am looking forward to the most on Saturday. Mizzou slot WR Johnathan Johnson (who had 5 catches for 116 yards last week versus Missouri St.) is 5’9 inches tall. He is the short, quick burst, slot type WR that can give the Gamecocks trouble. Johnson is feisty and will play aggressively. The good news for the Gamecocks is that they landed a heralded blue-chip recruit in the 2017 class named Jamyest Williams, who is also 5’9 and is the quick burst type and he is also feisty. Last week Jamyest “Jam” Williams had the huge task of facing All-ACC WR/TE/Weapon Jaylen Samuels on many plays and all things considered, did a good job in his first collegiate game. This game (and matchup) will be much clearer to the Gamecocks Coaches and fans of what type player they have in Jam. This should be a really fun matchup and I have a good feeling Jam may have some big plays on Saturday night.
For this week’s edition I think it won’t come as any surprise that the players South Carolina is going to have to get control of are on the Offensive side of the ball. In reviewing the film, the biggest concern for Kurt Roper and his Offense will be if the Mizzou Offense gets rolling. Will the Gamecocks Offense be able to keep up? As far as individual players on the Defensive side for Mizzou, none scare me. Former Rivals top 50 player and Defensive Tackle Terry Beckner Jr is the most talented player on the Defensive side for the Tigers but he is coming off back to back season ending knee injuries and I think it will take most of the year before he truly starts to get his game back. There is a possibility we could see some flashes from Beckner on Saturday though.
The real threat from the Tigers is on the Offensive side. Although it was against a poor Missouri St. Defense, the Tigers put up 815 yards and 72 points. Let’s take a look at the players who will give the Gamecocks the biggest concern this Saturday.
1. Drew Lock – Quarterback – 6’4 225lbs.
High School – 4 Star, 5.8 QB out of Lee Summit, Missouri
Career Overview – Entering his 3rd season as a starter for the Tigers. In 2016 he led the SEC in passing yards at 3,399 yards while finishing second in the SEC in Yards per Game and Yards per Completion. He entered 2017 having thrown for 4,731 yards in his career which is already 8th best in school history.
How Mizzou will utilize him – Offensive Coordinator Josh Heupel will plant the Offense square on the shoulders of Lock and ask him to go win the game no matter what it takes. Lock will take every chance he gets to look deep and find open guys and he will look to do it at a blistering fast pace. Mizzou will try to get the snap off in a lot of downs with 20-25 seconds still left on the play clock. Lock does a really good job of distributing the ball around as last week he delivered passes to nine different receivers.
What SC needs to do to handle Lock – Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson will need to cause confusion for Lock. One thing I have noticed when watching Lock is that he has a tendency to stare down his target. I think the Gamecocks Defense will need to utilize a lot of pre-snap motion and movement in the back seven to cause Lock to second guess the information he is trying to process. Lock has proven to be an inaccurate thrower as he is completing around mid-50% of his passes. At the college level, that is really low. But, Lock is a true ‘Boom or Bust’ passer. I also think that creative blitzes up the middle can cause problems for Lock and the passing game. Because their passing game is so quick, it may be difficult to scheme outside blitzes effectively. But if Muschamp can create inside pressure and get in the face of the QB, it can really disrupt Lock. The ultimate hope would be if the Defensive Line could create pressure with just the front four and SC could send a blitzer, namely, Bryson Allen Williams up the middle.
2. Damarea Crockett – Running Back – 5’11 225lbs.
High School – 4 Star, 5.8 RB of Little Rock, Arkansas
Career Overview – Sophomore stud RB who is a big time playmaker. In 2016, Crockett broke Mizzou’s all time freshman rushing record by tallying over 1,000 yards rushing. Enters the 2017 season as the workhorse back and one of the better, more unheralded RB’s in the SEC. Rushed for over 200 yards and over 11 yards per carry in the opening week win vs Missouri State last weekend.
How Mizzou will utilize him – Crockett is a very good RB, one that NFL scouts will like when they put on the tape in a year or so. Oddly enough, he reminds me a lot of South Carolina RB Rico Dowdle. Crockett is a big back, listed at 225lbs, but he has really quick feet for a guy his size. Mizzou runs strictly out of a Shotgun formation and they rarely use Crockett in the passing game as he has five career receptions. Crockett is shifty, with power, and can break tackles. He has a really good stiff arm that he will utilize on a regular basis.
What SC needs to do to handle Crockett – The SC Defense will need to tackle well, just as they did versus NC St. Crockett is a good back who will be tough to bring down. Taylor Stallworth and the rest of the DL will need to push the Mizzou OL back and disrupt the timing of the handoff and Crockett’s first line of sight for the hole. It will also be very important for Defensive Ends Dante Sawyer and DJ Wonnum to set the edge and get Crockett to turn up field. Skai Moore and TJ Brunson are tackling machines. I am completely confident in their ability to get Crockett to the ground. Crockett has some speed, the Gamecocks Defense can’t let him get to the edge. The Mizzou WR’s block very well and it could mean trouble if he is able to run the ball wide.
3. J’Mon Moore – Wide Receiver – 6’3 205lbs
High School – 3 Star, 5.7 WR out of Missouri City, Texas
Career Overview – Moore is a Redshirt Senior who has led the Tigers in receiving the past two seasons. Moore had his breakout season in 2016 when he topped the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career while averaging a whopping 16.3 yards per reception. Moore is the top target and will be the main target this season from OC Josh Heupel and QB Drew Lock.
How Mizzou will utilize him – Moore is a long and rangy WR who will challenge the Gamecocks Secondary all over the field. They will use him in the screen game and also try and get him deep. Moore is fast and if the Gamecocks do not cover and tackle him well, he will make them pay. Moore has solid hands and can high point balls. As the same goes with the other Mizzou WR’s, Moore blocks very well in the run game. There is no doubt in my mind that Mizzou will test Moore on Gamecocks CB Jamarcus King.
What SC needs to do to handle Moore – The Gamecocks are going to have to ensure they use a Safety over top of Moore. If I were Travaris Robinson, I would shadow Chris Lammons to whichever side of the field Moore lines up on. I have some concerns with Jamarcus King as he has shown to play so hot and cold but the Gamecocks need a solid game from King on Saturday. Rashad Fenton is a tremendous cover CB but the concern with him is the height advantage he will be giving away when covering Moore, which will be about five inches. Moore had a huge game versus Missouri State as he hauled in 4 catches for 187 yards and a gigantic 46.8 yards per catch. I mentioned how well Moore blocks in the run game, the SC DB’s will need to ensure they thump Moore when he tries to engage and not let him get his hands on them and extend his arms when blocking.
**** INTERESTING BATTLE OF THE DAY ****
Lastly, I wanted to provide you with one of the matchups I am looking forward to the most on Saturday. Mizzou slot WR Johnathan Johnson (who had 5 catches for 116 yards last week versus Missouri St.) is 5’9 inches tall. He is the short, quick burst, slot type WR that can give the Gamecocks trouble. Johnson is feisty and will play aggressively. The good news for the Gamecocks is that they landed a heralded blue-chip recruit in the 2017 class named Jamyest Williams, who is also 5’9 and is the quick burst type and he is also feisty. Last week Jamyest “Jam” Williams had the huge task of facing All-ACC WR/TE/Weapon Jaylen Samuels on many plays and all things considered, did a good job in his first collegiate game. This game (and matchup) will be much clearer to the Gamecocks Coaches and fans of what type player they have in Jam. This should be a really fun matchup and I have a good feeling Jam may have some big plays on Saturday night.
