Insider Report, October 10th
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Five Keys To Victory
Success in the red zone - This was the big key to last week’s game against Ole Miss and will likely be listed for every game left on the schedule. One of the primary reasons the Gamecocks defeated the Rebels in Oxford was their ability to score touchdowns once in the red zone, and that trend needs to continue this week against the Wildcats. Kentucky has not yet given up a touchdown in the red zone this season, and that streak likely can’t continue for the Gamecocks to emerge victorious.
Protect the football - Kentucky’s offense has struggled this season to move the football and to score points, so Carolina can ill-afford to make life easier on the Wildcats by turning the ball over. Chris Smelley needs to make smart decisions on where to throw the football and the ball carriers need to hold on to the ball.
Don’t let Lyons beat you - Wide receiver Dicky Lyons is the only proven playmaker Kentucky has on offense. He can hurt you both in the passing game and punt returns. Coming into this contest, Lyons has 31 receptions and the next closest receiver to him has only seven grabs on the year. Carolina must make someone else on the Wildcat squad prove they can produce and not allow Lyons to be Mike Hartline’s go-to target.
Protect Smelley, stay hot through the air - The Wildcats surrendered over 350 yards passing to Middle Tennessee earlier this season, and Carolina needs to have success throwing the football to win this game. Chris Smelley threw for 327 yards last week and needs to build on that performance with more of the same on Saturday afternoon. For that to happen, players like Kenny McKinley, Jared Cook and Jason Barnes need to perform at a high level. Carolina will also need strong play from their offensive line against arguably the best defensive line Kentucky has fielded in the modern era.
Pressure Hartline - Quarterback Mike Hartline succeeded the departed Andre Woodson and only has one SEC start under his belt. He hasn’t yet faced a defense with the kind of speed and athleticism he’ll see tomorrow afternoon, and Carolina has to use that to their advantage. The more they can pressure Hartline, the more likely he is to make game changing mistakes.
Recruiting Tidbits
I mentioned this in my questions thread a while back, but I wanted to reiterate that South Carolina has now offered Byrnes junior defensive linemen Corey Miller and Brandon Willis. Miller projects as an end, while Willis will likely be an interior guy at the college level. Both players are expected to attend next weekend’s contest with LSU, as will teammate Marcus Lattimore.
Team Information
Heading into this weekend’s game, I would estimate that team morale has not been any higher since before the season began. Last week’s win over Ole Miss could end up being a turning point in the 2008 season, provided there are no letdowns tomorrow.
The offense has had a strong week of practice. Having Kenny McKinley, Jared Cook and Jason Barnes on the field together has made them a much tougher team to defend. If the offensive line can take its play to the next level, this offense could really take off.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com
This post was edited on 10/10 8:21 AM by Tony Morrell
This post was edited on 10/11 2:08 PM by Brian Shoemaker
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Five Keys To Victory
Success in the red zone - This was the big key to last week’s game against Ole Miss and will likely be listed for every game left on the schedule. One of the primary reasons the Gamecocks defeated the Rebels in Oxford was their ability to score touchdowns once in the red zone, and that trend needs to continue this week against the Wildcats. Kentucky has not yet given up a touchdown in the red zone this season, and that streak likely can’t continue for the Gamecocks to emerge victorious.
Protect the football - Kentucky’s offense has struggled this season to move the football and to score points, so Carolina can ill-afford to make life easier on the Wildcats by turning the ball over. Chris Smelley needs to make smart decisions on where to throw the football and the ball carriers need to hold on to the ball.
Don’t let Lyons beat you - Wide receiver Dicky Lyons is the only proven playmaker Kentucky has on offense. He can hurt you both in the passing game and punt returns. Coming into this contest, Lyons has 31 receptions and the next closest receiver to him has only seven grabs on the year. Carolina must make someone else on the Wildcat squad prove they can produce and not allow Lyons to be Mike Hartline’s go-to target.
Protect Smelley, stay hot through the air - The Wildcats surrendered over 350 yards passing to Middle Tennessee earlier this season, and Carolina needs to have success throwing the football to win this game. Chris Smelley threw for 327 yards last week and needs to build on that performance with more of the same on Saturday afternoon. For that to happen, players like Kenny McKinley, Jared Cook and Jason Barnes need to perform at a high level. Carolina will also need strong play from their offensive line against arguably the best defensive line Kentucky has fielded in the modern era.
Pressure Hartline - Quarterback Mike Hartline succeeded the departed Andre Woodson and only has one SEC start under his belt. He hasn’t yet faced a defense with the kind of speed and athleticism he’ll see tomorrow afternoon, and Carolina has to use that to their advantage. The more they can pressure Hartline, the more likely he is to make game changing mistakes.
Recruiting Tidbits
I mentioned this in my questions thread a while back, but I wanted to reiterate that South Carolina has now offered Byrnes junior defensive linemen Corey Miller and Brandon Willis. Miller projects as an end, while Willis will likely be an interior guy at the college level. Both players are expected to attend next weekend’s contest with LSU, as will teammate Marcus Lattimore.
Team Information
Heading into this weekend’s game, I would estimate that team morale has not been any higher since before the season began. Last week’s win over Ole Miss could end up being a turning point in the 2008 season, provided there are no letdowns tomorrow.
The offense has had a strong week of practice. Having Kenny McKinley, Jared Cook and Jason Barnes on the field together has made them a much tougher team to defend. If the offensive line can take its play to the next level, this offense could really take off.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com
This post was edited on 10/10 8:21 AM by Tony Morrell
This post was edited on 10/11 2:08 PM by Brian Shoemaker
