Keys to the Game - Alabama
Wrap Up
South Carolina has been hurt at times this season by missing tackles. There were instances in the Kentucky game where missed tackles led to long gains, but the Gamecocks will ill-afford to be able to do the same thing against Mark Ingram, Javier Arenas (special teams) and company in Tuscaloosa.
Keep it Manageable
If the Gamecocks are consistently in third-and-long on offense, it could be a long night for them. Alabama is rated in the top five in the country in third-down conversion defense, only allowing opponents to convert 24% of the time. USC has to ensure they limit the penalties and get positive yardage on the first couple of downs to keep the third downs manageable. Keeping the offense on the field is very important in this game.
Find a Way to Run
USC can't be a one-trick pony in the game, they have to be able to run the ball at least some. Kenny Miles has become South Carolina's go-to back, and the Gamecocks would love for him to have some success on the ground. It will be tough, as Alabama is giving up roughly 66 yards per game and under 2.4 yards per carry. Stephen Garcia will likely need to scramble around and get USC some yards.
Watch Julio Jones
You could also pick "Watch Mark Ingram" for one of these categories, but you almost have to concede that USC will give up some yardage on the ground to the Tide rushing attack. Instead, Carolina has to make sure that Julio Jones does not do a lot of damage through the air. Kentucky held Jones to two catches in their matchup, and USC would love a similar result. C.C. Whitlock and Stephon Gilmore will be charged with containing the sophomore standout, and will need to turn in a good performance.
Win the Turnover Battle
This is perhaps the biggest of them all. South Carolina has done much better protecting the ball this year, turning it over only seven times while gaining nine turnovers off of opponents. Alabama has turned it over 4 times and has forced thirteen, so they sport an excellent turnover margin. Alabama is top-10 in the nation in time of possession because they are so good on defense and can eat clock on offense with their run game. USC has to make sure that they don't give the Tide any extra possessions by giving them the ball back on turnovers.
Football Recruiting
Manning (SC) DB John Fulton officially visits Alabama this weekend, and right now the Tide pose the biggest threat to Carolina as far as landing the four-star talent. As I've mentioned before, Alabama wants him and will try to make up some ground, outright take the lead, or secure a commitment from him this weekend. Despite what he's said publicly, the Gamecocks should be considered the leader right now. Certainly the fact that he's watching his leader play on his official could help the Gamecocks, and turning in a good performance on defense would not hurt either. Regardless, I expect Fulton to like his visit a lot to Alabama and to return with things at least all even publicly. He will officially visit USC for the Florida game, and they will have their chance to tip the see-saw their way. I still think USC has a great shot at landing him based on what I've heard to this point.
South Carolina has offered junior LB Micheal McAlister. I expect Townsend to receive an offer from USC at some point; the Gamecocks are currently in his top group with Clemson and Illinois.
The other one, McAlister, has some academic concerns and I've been told by multiple sources that he will almost definitely need to attend prep school. USC likes him and he is a potential placement for them in the junior class, which would mean he will become a 2012 recruit.
I hear that Gamecock assistant Lorenzo Ward will likely check up on some potential prospects in the Birmingham area on Friday.
Wadesboro (NC) Anson County junior LB Stephone Anthony is one of the Southeast's best, and South Carolina was the first school to extend a verbal offer to him months ago. His top five in order right now is LSU (surprised me), Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech. He has been scheduled to take unofficial visits to multiple schools but has been unable to make many of them. He has watched USC on TV this year and commented on how he liked the defense. For USC, coach Jay Graham is recruiting.
In case you haven't read the October 15 Insider Report, click here.
This post was edited on 10/15 3:23 PM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 10/16 7:23 AM by Brian Shoemaker
Wrap Up
South Carolina has been hurt at times this season by missing tackles. There were instances in the Kentucky game where missed tackles led to long gains, but the Gamecocks will ill-afford to be able to do the same thing against Mark Ingram, Javier Arenas (special teams) and company in Tuscaloosa.
Keep it Manageable
If the Gamecocks are consistently in third-and-long on offense, it could be a long night for them. Alabama is rated in the top five in the country in third-down conversion defense, only allowing opponents to convert 24% of the time. USC has to ensure they limit the penalties and get positive yardage on the first couple of downs to keep the third downs manageable. Keeping the offense on the field is very important in this game.
Find a Way to Run
USC can't be a one-trick pony in the game, they have to be able to run the ball at least some. Kenny Miles has become South Carolina's go-to back, and the Gamecocks would love for him to have some success on the ground. It will be tough, as Alabama is giving up roughly 66 yards per game and under 2.4 yards per carry. Stephen Garcia will likely need to scramble around and get USC some yards.
Watch Julio Jones
You could also pick "Watch Mark Ingram" for one of these categories, but you almost have to concede that USC will give up some yardage on the ground to the Tide rushing attack. Instead, Carolina has to make sure that Julio Jones does not do a lot of damage through the air. Kentucky held Jones to two catches in their matchup, and USC would love a similar result. C.C. Whitlock and Stephon Gilmore will be charged with containing the sophomore standout, and will need to turn in a good performance.
Win the Turnover Battle
This is perhaps the biggest of them all. South Carolina has done much better protecting the ball this year, turning it over only seven times while gaining nine turnovers off of opponents. Alabama has turned it over 4 times and has forced thirteen, so they sport an excellent turnover margin. Alabama is top-10 in the nation in time of possession because they are so good on defense and can eat clock on offense with their run game. USC has to make sure that they don't give the Tide any extra possessions by giving them the ball back on turnovers.
Football Recruiting
Manning (SC) DB John Fulton officially visits Alabama this weekend, and right now the Tide pose the biggest threat to Carolina as far as landing the four-star talent. As I've mentioned before, Alabama wants him and will try to make up some ground, outright take the lead, or secure a commitment from him this weekend. Despite what he's said publicly, the Gamecocks should be considered the leader right now. Certainly the fact that he's watching his leader play on his official could help the Gamecocks, and turning in a good performance on defense would not hurt either. Regardless, I expect Fulton to like his visit a lot to Alabama and to return with things at least all even publicly. He will officially visit USC for the Florida game, and they will have their chance to tip the see-saw their way. I still think USC has a great shot at landing him based on what I've heard to this point.
South Carolina has offered junior LB Micheal McAlister. I expect Townsend to receive an offer from USC at some point; the Gamecocks are currently in his top group with Clemson and Illinois.
The other one, McAlister, has some academic concerns and I've been told by multiple sources that he will almost definitely need to attend prep school. USC likes him and he is a potential placement for them in the junior class, which would mean he will become a 2012 recruit.
I hear that Gamecock assistant Lorenzo Ward will likely check up on some potential prospects in the Birmingham area on Friday.
Wadesboro (NC) Anson County junior LB Stephone Anthony is one of the Southeast's best, and South Carolina was the first school to extend a verbal offer to him months ago. His top five in order right now is LSU (surprised me), Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech. He has been scheduled to take unofficial visits to multiple schools but has been unable to make many of them. He has watched USC on TV this year and commented on how he liked the defense. For USC, coach Jay Graham is recruiting.
In case you haven't read the October 15 Insider Report, click here.
This post was edited on 10/15 3:23 PM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 10/16 7:23 AM by Brian Shoemaker
