W
Wes Mitchell
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** If we're comparing it to a team that South Carolina has already faced this year, Vanderbilt's offensive scheme reminds me a bit of the one N.C. State employs though the Commodores don't have the playmakers across the board that N.C. State does.
Vanderbilt will line up under center more than most teams these days, especially on first and second downs, and try to get the football to Ralph Webb with stretch and power plays. Sometimes they use a fullback and true lead blocker while other times they won't. They'll base the play-action throw game off that. Like every team, they also mix in the shotgun and we'll even use the pistol at times.
** As good as running back Ralph Webb has been - and he's been extremely good for the last four seasons as one of the SEC's all-time most productive rushers - Vanderbilt has struggled to run the football this season. The Commodores are averaging just 92.57 yards per game, which is last in the SEC. That speaks to some of the issues that they've had on the offensive line and also to the quality of defenses they've played so far this year in Alabama, Georgia and to a lesser extent Florida.
** Quarterback Kyle Shurmur has had a much better season this year than last and is a former four-star prospect who is the son of an NFL coach (Vikings OC Pat Shumur). Shumur can be a bit streaky at times and often needs to get into the flow of the game before his accuracy hones in but he has a big arm and can make all the throws. He's not really a dual-threat guy but does have enough mobility to move around in the pocket and get out on the edge and make throws or pick up positive yardage.
Shumur can be a bit funky in his delivery at times, but when he's hot, he can hurt a defense. They seem to trust him throwing the ball downfield more than some of their previous quarterbacks. Streaky or not, Shumur doesn't turn the football over and has just 2 INTs to go with 14 TDs. Vanderbilt itself doesn't really turn the ball over either as Webb has always protected the football too. In fact, the Commodores have just five turnovers lost this season, tied for first in the conference. Unfortunately for them, they don't create many turnovers either and have forced just six this season.
** From a defensive scheme perspective, Vanderbilt philosophically isn't that far off up front from what Will Muschamp and Co. like to do though they'll use more three-man fronts than Carolina and often times will have their three down linemen bunched up sort of the way Arkansas does. But Derek Mason likes to give teams a lot of different looks up front, like Muschamp, and will "comingle" between the 3-man and 4-man look.
Vanderbilt's version of Carolina BUCK finds himself rushing the passer from a standup position rather than with his hand in the dirt a bit more than Carolina's at least in the plays I've watched. Muschamp talked about how Mason's teams always have something for you up front from a scheme standpoint and he does a great job of mixing fronts.
** As well-coached as Vanderbilt has always been on defense, they're allowing 242.57 yards per game on the ground this season. It's a bit of a surprise that a program often known for running the football and stopping the run has struggled to do each this year. The Gamecocks' running game has clearly looked improved the last two games, so I'm curious to see how that matchup will play out this week. With an inability to run the football, I'd look for Vanderbilt to come out throwing to their big tight ends and try to pass to set up the run.
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South Carolina offensive line update:
** South Carolina has continued to rotate its offensive linemen as the week has worn on in an effort to try and get the best five in there. As Muschamp said in Tuesday's presser even the non-starters are slated to get some action Saturday with the best performers finishing out the game.
While Sadarius Hutcherson has gotten some snaps with the first team group and took a bunch earlier in the week, my belief on Wednesday is that Cory Helms slides back into a starting guard spot (with Donell Stanley) and that Zack Bailey slides back in at right tackle, though he and Blake Camper have also been rotating a bunch. The left tackle position has also been up for grabs with Malik Young rotating in there and I'm told that Hutcherson or even Camper could be a potential option at left tackle too.
Keep in mind that while there's a general sense from a fan base of which player is playing better, only the coaches truly know on the offensive line how often a player is doing his job. Also keep in mind that Eric Wolford has never been one to shy away from pulling players or continuing to tinker with the lineup. I'd expect the battles to continue through the week and into the game Saturday, but that's the latest I have on it.
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