Reviewing South Carolina at Tennessee: Picking Up the Pieces
by Gamecock Man on Nov 2, 2009 1:01 AM EST
in Football
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My apologies for not being around sooner to comment on this 'game.' I was out of the town over the weekend and didn't always have access to a computer, so I'm just now catching up.
Before sharing some of my thoughts on the game, I should say that I wasn't able to watch the entire game closely because I was occupied with other activities for most of the game. Therefore, take my thoughts with a grain of salt, and please excuse me if some of my points are fairly obvious. I may have more insightful things to say after I watch a replay.
Needless to say, turnovers killed us. Outside of the fumbles, we didn't play terribly in this game; while we might not have won, it would have been a lot closer without the fumbles. You can blame the weather, and I think it's worth recognizing that this performance isn't indicative of how we play in normal conditions. Still, though, three fumbles is inexcusable; the players knew going in that they'd have to take care of the ball, and while the Vols did so, we didn't.
Our offense isn't good enough to win games when we don't win the turnover battle. Although we continue to put up good numbers, we continue to have trouble scoring. Moreover, our defense, while good, can't manage to create turnovers of its own, keeping us from putting up more points. That all means we're going to have to win close, low-scoring games, and that's not going to happen with four to none in the turnover margins.
We need a new special teams coach. I don't think we should fire Shane Beamer. He seems to be a good recruiter, so we should find a place for him. However, he hasn't shown the ability to be a good special teams coach. Kickoff return coverage has been awful all year and wasn't good last night. The clip on the punt returned for a touchdown was a momentum killer. These things were problems for us in 2007, and they're problems again now, and Beamer is the common denominator. It's time to try someone else at his position.
Spencer Lanning deserves a shoutout. If the offense had done its part by holding onto the ball and scoring more points, we would have noticed that Spencer did all the things you want a punter / kicker to do to win a close game. In particular, Spencer made a career-high 47 yarder and had some great punts. I'm becoming more confident that we can rely on him to make some big kicks if needed.
It's not the end of the world. This loss was infuriating, and in that it looked like a slightly closer version of the Florida and Clemson games from a year ago, it's obviously filling us with foreboding. However, it's just one game, and all of our goals are still within reach for the year. I do think this loss makes the Arkansas game this weekend something of a must-win game. If we don't win against the Hogs, I doubt we reach our eight-win goal, and anything less would have to be considered equivocal in my mind. We match up better with the Hogs than Tennessee, though, so this should be a winnable game. The question in my mind is how we respond. If we can refocus and fix a few things, I think we'll take care of Arkansas. If we take this loss too hard--and I'm sure this was an emotional loss for the boys due to the buzz surrounding the gas-pumper comments--we stand a good chance of losing the rest of our games. If we can do the former, that'll be a good indication that this team is different than the last two.
Finally, my kudos to the Volunteers. You have to give Lane Kiffin and his staff credit; they had their guys ready to go in this game.
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You'll beat Arkansas.
Their defense is just horrid, and I think that you have enough on defense to slow down their offense. Honestly, I kinda of expect South Carolina to be on the happy end of turnovers in that game, as Arky will likely have to keep the ball in the air, and your passing defense is much better than your rushing defense on the year.
Good luck against Clemson. Knocking the ACC back a bit further is always a good idea.
by Hooper on Nov 2, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm hoping the turnover problem against the Vols was an anomaly.
It was the first time we’ve lost the turnover battle, despite the fact that our defense doesn’t create a lot of turnovers. I’m blaming it on the rain. Hopefully we get back in business this Saturday.
Thanks for dropping by, and good luck with the rest of your year.,
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Nov 2, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Blame it on the Rain
There’s a song in there somewhere … ;-)
Yeah, I wouldn’t worry about the turnovers. That game played out completely differently than it should have. UT went into protection mode and South Carolina had to burn clock time on short-intermediate routes.
by Hooper on Nov 3, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There is no justice in the world.
That was my thought after this game.
Loud-mouthed, arrogant, ends-justify-the means Lane Kiffin claims victory in convincing fashion over the long-suffering Gamecock fans. Pay attention kids, you too can be successful if only you forsake the values that underpin society. Modesty? That’s an old man’s game. Go ahead and boast about your accomplishments before you’ve even started your endeavors. Admiration? Pshaw! The leaders of today would rather have you accuse your more accomplished colleagues of lying, cheating, and incompetence. Grace in victory? You must give the media what they want! Congratulate the opposing team on a well played game while a wry smile and past actions belie your true feelings. Go ahead and indulge your every whim! The world is your oyster, my friends, and all the other men and women are merely players upon your stage.
Anywho, glad to see you are posting again. I was a little afraid you had been listening to the game while driving and careened your car off a bridge.
Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina
by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 2, 2009 6:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was out of town. Only got to watch bits and pieces of the game...
Luckily I was not alone at the wheel while listening to the game. And hopefully we’ll play better when I come down to Columbia in a couple of weeks for the Gators game.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Nov 2, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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