South Carolina Football: Same Old Story?
by Gamecock Man on Oct 4, 2011 3:03 PM EDT
in South Carolina Gamecocks Football
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In a brief discussion post I made shortly after the Gamecocks' disappointing loss to the Auburn Tigers, I wrote the following sentence: "We are who we've always been. And we'll make noise that way." I'd like to qualify this statement, which was (1) written while I was having trouble with my computer and thus unable to write much more and (2) a cheap attempt at consoling myself after an emotionally draining loss.
This team still has a chance to make a lot of noise this year, but it is not what it always was. The reason it still has a good chance to make a lot of noise is because this remains the most talented team in South Carolina history. In fact, I'd be willing to suggest that it's in some ways turned out to be more talented than we thought that it would. Coming into the season, the primary concerns on this team were defensive. Could the secondary bounce back? Could the defensive line perform without Ladi Ajiboye and Cliff Matthews? We also had concerns on special teams. Could we develop a return game? Could Jay Wooten and Joey Scribner-Howard perform to the level of Spencer Lanning? The results have been positive. Melvin Ingram has emerged as a viable contender for national defensive player-of-the-year awards. The secondary has morphed into a serviceable unit. Wooten has made clutch kicks in two of our games. We're getting some good returns from time to time.
With these questions all more or less answered in the affirmative, we now stare down a relatively easy road back to the SEC Championship Game. Believe it or not, our toughest remaining opponent doesn't even have a bearing on the conference standings--it's Clemson. Despite what happened last week, if we can improve our play, we have a legitimate shot at running the table. Does 11-1 sound nice to you? It does to me, too. Even if I don't like our chances against LSU or Alabama in the SECCG, 11-2 would likely get us to the Sugar Bowl. And who knows? You just never know when things turn your way in a big game. Maybe we could beat LSU or Alabama. The reason we have the chance to do these things is precisely because this is such a talented, almost complete team.
The problem, though, is that we don't have a good quarterback--in fact, we don't even have an average one, at least not yet. And that's a really big problem. We're not only not going to go 11-1 if Connor Shaw or Stephen Garcia don't step up, we're likely not going to get back to 9 wins. I'm not holding my breath for Garcia to become that guy. That's why there's a lot riding on Shaw's performance this weekend. The fate of USC's most talented team hangs in the balance.
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I assumed you were drunk when you wrote the short post :)
But I like what you wrote here, GM. While 11-1 seems like a downright pie-eyed prediction with the way things have been the past few weeks, I certainly agree that our strongest opponent, it would appear, is Clemson, and that game has no bearing on our road to Atlanta. So let’s say the Shaw era starts paying dividends. Our receiving corps is mobilized, defenses have to back off Latty because of it, and our D maintains its current level of play (let’s not forget we held Auburn to fewer points than any opponent, including Clemmy.) That we came out of these first 5 games 4-1 is something of a miracle, but there’s no reason we can’t fashion a much-needed identy, as GM keeps pointing out, starting now.
October will be an incredibly telling month, won’t it? Big wins are what we need to remind the rest of this league (well, division) who’s wearing the belt right now. If we can roll UK, MSU, and UT, we’ll be in great shape to put a bow on the East again. But that “if” rests on Connor Shaw’s ability to instill some confidence under center.
Things sting a bit right now. The elusive victory over Auburn will have to wait a few years, and our neighbors in the upstate are America’s sweethearts. Never mind it; the former is in the past, and the latter is fleeting. Here’s to hoping Connor can right the ship.
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by Gamecock'n'Balls on Oct 4, 2011 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Let's just say the original post came from a dark, incoherent part of my consciousness.
At any rate, I like your post, as well. 11-1 seems farfetched right now, but look at our schedule. A better-than-average team would go at least 10-2 with a little luck. A good-to-great team—depending on if Clemmy is for real or not—could go 11-1. We have an easy road from here on out. MSU was overrated, UT is what we thought they were, Ark. is good but beatable, and we get Clemmy at home. I don’t think it’s impossible.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.
As it stands right now
I don’t see us beating Ark, Fla or Clem. At the beginning of the season, I thought we could beat all of those teams. But until I see if Shaw can manage the game, make the easy standard throws, hit a few deep ones, and Lattimore doing what he does…I’m not going to feel confident in our ability to hang with those teams offensively.
It is indeed the most talented team ever at USC, but it’s in the hands of the QB to do what he needs to do and take care of the ball. We don’t need Connor to be GREAT, but he’s gotta not suck. Anything better than slightly below average to average would be a huge boost to this team, because the D can keep any game close, and just being able to hit some passes here and there will keep Lattimore running down their throats. Garcia was putrid in just about every category, but how many interceptions either led to points or prevented us from making a likely score? If Connor can take care of the ball even 50% better, we’ll be in decent shape.
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That's the way I feel. And honestly, how hard can it be for him to do that? I'm not sure he can, but he's shown flashes.
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by Gamecock Man on Oct 4, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
What was Garcia's completion percentage? 50% or so?
I think Connor can complete 6 of 10 passes. That 10% bump probably would have meant the difference in more breathing room in some of our games, and a win vs. Auburn.
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60% completion rate is really, really good.
I’d be stunned if Shaw pulled that out of his helmet. Thrilled, but stunned.
by robert guiscard on Oct 5, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not that great if you're throwing a bunch of screen passes.
But yeah, if you’re throwing downfield, that’s great.
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by Gamecock Man on Oct 5, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Even 50% is not terrible
as long as the other 50% isn’t caught by the DEFENDER. Stephen?
I would think 3 out of 4 is ‘really, really’ good percentage given the offense we have, but 3 of 5 should be what is expected of a good but average QB.
but, given my lowered expectations, i’d accept 50% as long as he keeps it to 1 or 0 interceptions per game.
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