Reconnaissance Mission: Q&A with Shakin the Southland

by Gamecock Man on Nov 23, 2011 10:05 PM EST in South Carolina Gamecocks Football

We haven't done so as much this year, but, as some of you remember, we often do Q&A's with opponents' blogs as part of of preview series for each week's game. This being rivalry week and thus the season's biggest game, it's only fitting that we got together with the fine SBN Clemson blog Shakin the Southland. Those of you who have read STS know that they do a great job; their authors know as much about football tactics and strategy as anyone you'll find on the web. You'll find plenty of Carolina hating over there, too, but that's only fitting for this great rivalry. So, without further ado, let's take a look at what they have to say. STS's answers are in bold. My answers to their questions are here.

1. Although it's only become a glaring problem over the last few games, Clemson's offensive line has been its major offensive weakness this year. What is wrong with the line--injuries, all-around poor personnel, coaching, or something else? Any chance they get it together this weekend?

It's a combination of everything. We haven't done a good job of opening up holes in the A gaps all year, outside of the game at Maryland. This limits what Chad Morris would like to do offensively. Ideally Morris would love to pound the rock up the middle to open up some intermediate and deep routes in the passing game. Instead, it seems we are running up the middle for 1 or 2 yards to simply attempt to keep the defense honest. The pass blocking was horrid our first two games, seemed to get better when we got on a roll, but now seems to have regressed again.

At the start of the year the coaching staff felt comfortable with 6 guys (5 starters and backup center Mason Cloy). I'd say there is a personnel issue when you only feel comfortable with 6 guys, all of which are Juniors and Seniors. I still hold a grudge with our ex-OL coach Brad Scott, who coached these guys into mediocrity. I don't see the fierceness and the nastiness in this bunch that wants to go out there and move the line of scrimmage. Hopefully Caldwell will be able to mold some of the younger guys into a better unit than we have right now.

2. Andre Ellington, when healthy, was one of the best-looking tailbacks around last year. This year, though, he doesn't seem to be the same player. What seems to be the problem?

I think part of it is on Andre and part of it is on the OL, which we just discussed. He suffered through a turf toe injury last year, which ultimately cut his season short. He missed spring ball and was limited some during the fall. As a result, he came into the season out of shape. He compounded that with a hamstring injury that seems to have taken away his explosiveness. It seems like he could use a good bit of time off to heal, but with Clemson's inexperience behind him at the running back spot he hasn't been afforded that luxury.

Continue reading after the jump.

3. Sammy Watkins has been one of the country's most phenomenal players and is a shoe-in for all sorts of freshman honors. Talk about what he means to the team, and whether he'll be a difference-maker if he returns this week.

Sammy has been better than anyone could've expected. He is the guy that makes this offense go, and without him last week the offense seemed lost. He's the best route runner, has the best hands, and is the fastest wide receiver we have. No doubt having him on the field opens things up for Nuke Hopkins and Dwayne Allen. Early in the season we used Watkins a decent amount on jet sweeps. That seems to have disappeared from the playbook. If healthy enough this week, I'd like to see them implement that a little bit more. I don't think we'll be able to run up the middle against USC, but perhaps we can stretch them out wide.

4. CU's defense has struggled a bit in recent weeks, particularly against run-first, zone-read-based offenses with mobile QBs. Why is that the case, and how do you see CU's defense doing against Connor Shaw?

Clemson has struggled all year defensively, but it is getting a lot more attention now that we are losing. Our linebackers have been bad all year, unable to get off blocks and slow to diagnose plays. We're starting to see more of 5-star freshman Stephone Anthony at middle linebacker instead of Corico Hawkins, but he isn't quite ready to be the dominant force this defense needs. Steele has gone with a lot of nickel packages due to both the offenses we've played and the lack of trust in his linebackers.

The LBs aren't the only group to blame here though, as the DL hasn't done a good job of setting the edge and the DBs haven't done a good job of getting off blocks or making tackles. The entire defense looks to throw a shoulder into their man rather than sticking their facemask in their chest and wrapping up. It's been a very frustrating year defensively and Kevin Steele is taking a lot of well deserved criticism.

5. Clemson has clearly exceeded expectations on the year, winning the Atlantic Division in a year when most expected only incremental improvement. However, it's currently on a bit of a slide coming into the rivalry game. How much does this game mean to Clemson's season as a whole? Let's say Clemson wins the ACCCG. Can the season still be a success with a loss to Carolina? Why or why not?

This game is huge. HUGE. There are many factors that come into play here, both for the program, fans, and media. This program needs to shake the stigma that they collapse every year and can't be taken seriously. 10 wins have eluded this program for 20 years, so getting there against our biggest rival would be enormous. A win over a quality SEC opponent on the road is sure to garner some positive limelight from the media, which certainly helps in recruiting.

Dabo cannot afford to lose 3 in a row to USC. 2 in a row caused an uproar, but 3 in a row would cause seismic reactions.

Lastly, a win helps build some momentum going into the ACC championship. Clemson isn't good enough to turn it on/off just like that. Therefore, we need to regain some of our lost swagger or else we'll be in trouble facing the Va Tech/UVA winner.

6. Give us a prediction. How will the game go down, and who wins?

All that talk about how big this game is, yet I'm not optimistic Clemson can turn it around. We seem lost right now. If Phillip Price and Sammy Watkins are able to go and are close to 100% that would certainly help. I think the offense will be able to move the ball again, mainly through the air, and put up some points on USC's defense. I just don't trust our defense enough to get the necessary stops. I think USC will kill us on the ground, just as everyone else has. The fact that it is a night game in Columbia doesn't help ease the pressure off of these players either.

I've got USC winning by 10....31-21.

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Comments

Great Q&A

Great piece. Great insight from STS. I think the final score will be closer than 31-21; I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the winner is the team who can kick a FG with time about to expire. Make sure you take a double-dose of your b.p. medicines (assuming that is ok with your physician, of course).

Both squads will be counting on solid QB play – and both QB’s are young, and capable of a game-losing error.

Both squads have All-American caliber WE (Sammy Watkins seems like a great kid and is amazing to watch; Alshon, to my mind, possesses All-SEC/All-American talents which have been largely wasted this year but are still there waiting to be exploited). It might be a cliche, but the WR who plays the best on Saturday might seal the game for his club.

The player(s) CU needs to see step up for a monster game is DE Kourtney Upshaw and either RB Andre Ellington or RB Mike Bellamy. If Upshaw lives in the backfield and keeps Shaw from throwing downfield we’re in real trouble; as far as RB, Clemson traditionally kills Carolina on the ground, especially in the 4th.

The players USC needs to see step up for a monster game is Stephon GIlmore and Rok Watkins. If Gilmore can limit Watkins, that might be just the edge we need; Rok needs to find his early-season stuff; he and the rest of the OL need to give Shaw time to throw.

Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee! UNIVERSITAS CAROLIN MERID. 1801 Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros (Ovid)

by tryptic67 on Nov 24, 2011 7:17 AM EST reply actions

I called for a closer score. 28-23.

That said, I do think we have the advantage. The teams are similar in some respects, but we’re clearly better on the defensive line, and we’re better on the offensive line, too. Our offensive line has struggled, but it can at least get a good push for the running game.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 24, 2011 9:53 AM EST up reply actions

Not sure who you mean when you say Courtney Upshaw

You probably mean Andre Branch since he is our best pass rusher. I agree that he needs to get pressure, but he also can’t get too far upfield and leave a lane for Shaw to take off.

by ggggmen08 on Nov 24, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Shaw is good at making something out of nothing when he gets flushed out.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 24, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

I feel like he probably means Kourtnei Brown

Brown’s had some flashes of good things this year, but we’re gonna need a lot more than just him.

by PenthouseTiger on Nov 24, 2011 9:37 PM EST up reply actions

Whoever Kourtney Upshaw is, he is probably playing better than anyone on our defense

by Clempire on Nov 25, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

This game is huge...HUGE

A truer statement couldn’t be made for both programs. The Cocks still have the historic eleven wins in their sights. After their big run up in the polls, Clemson desperately needs to stop the bleeding against SC in advance of their ACCCG. This one has all the makings of a classic rivalry game. Home field gives us an edge and the SC faithful will be raucous with a 7:45 start. The key matchup is their offense against our defense. We will need a favorable injury report and another broad-shouldered performance from our defense to seal a third straight rivalry win. We’ve all seen Clemson put up a lot of points this season but they haven’t often encountered the speed and athleticism of the Gamecock D. If we can rattle Boyd and muscle those quick receivers it will relieve the pressure on the offense to score a bunch of points. Hope we avoid an up and down the field scoring fest with CU which would not play to our favor. Happy Thanksgiving and Goooo Cocks!

by jimbomac1 on Nov 24, 2011 8:19 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

Huge for us in many ways and I expect the home cooking to be a big advantage for us. I disagree with the key matchup although our d will have to make some plays and number 6 maybe saving something special for his last home game! I think it will be our offense that carries us the week versus a very pourous d. Would like to see some drives like we had against ut which take up an entire quarter and avoid an up an down the field scoring fest like you said which would be trouble for our terrible pass blocking.

by wilmywoodcock on Nov 24, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Kourtney Upshaw?

We have Andre Branch, Malicah Goodman, Corey Crawford, and Kourtnei Brown as our DE’s. Andre is far and away the best player out of these 4

by bowlcutah on Nov 24, 2011 9:45 AM EST reply actions

I think he must have meant Branch. Branch is the one I worry about.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 24, 2011 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

Bad on me ... same principle applies

happy thanksgiving!

Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee! UNIVERSITAS CAROLIN MERID. 1801 Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros (Ovid)

by tryptic67 on Nov 24, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

A little early holiday cheer? :-)

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 24, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

29-7

Last year and I don’t see why we can’t duplicate that result this year regardless of Watkins. The game will be won in the trenches and as long as our oline does not have to pass block-much-and our defense is healthy enough we should be okay. The big question mark is which special teams play will show up the one v. uf or the one v. arkansas and the citadel? What has not been discussed is ingame and halftime adjustments and we have one of the best in the game in the Head Ball Coach. This analysis is blaming the assistants for their usual late season collapse in a weak conference, although Brad Scott does really suck. Dabo the clown can recruit but can he coach and you can better believe that VT is wanting a little revenge in the ACCCG.
Just win three in a row baby.
Go Spurrier! Go Cocks!

by wilmywoodcock on Nov 24, 2011 10:12 AM EST reply actions

Agreed. Watkins is not the key to this game. If we abuse Clemson's offensive line, we'll probably win big. Maybe get a couple of defensive scores. If the Tigers line steps up, it will be a dogfight.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 24, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

If Clemson's offensive line plays like it did against FSU then we'll move the ball

FSU and UNC are far and away the most athletic teams that we played. FSU possess a top 10 type defense and we were able to shred them because the OL gave Boyd time.

by ggggmen08 on Nov 24, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe

The FSU game was early in the year and not sure the result would be same now. But you are correct about the athletic ds of Free Shoes U. and the semi-pro d of the tarholes, but we are a different animal with playmakers on that side of the ball. I think you guys will move the ball for different reasons-injuries and our d may be worn out from carrying us all year. But still expect the results to be same as they were in pickens.

by wilmywoodcock on Nov 24, 2011 11:10 AM EST up reply actions