Beat Auburn.

by bigal13 on Nov 30, 2025 11:54 AM EST

Garnet and Black Attack readers, I am a student at the University of Alabama and write pretty regularly over at Roll Bama Roll. I don't know if you guys usually take down guest posts but I just wanted to give ya'll a little insight from our side.

I know USC has already played Auburn once this year and knows what they are going up against, but i feel like at that point in the year it was a completely different football season to where we are now.

First off, I know Alabama blew it, just like we did against LSU. USC was the only team that deserved to take Alabama to the woodshed and rightfully did.

But this is not about Alabama, this is about beating Auburn.

The mindset of the Auburn program is simply to top Alabama, that is ALL they care about.

I believe this will give South Carolina a great advantage going into the SECCG being that many Auburn players, fans, and coaches will have a false sense of a season accomplished after taking down the 4th ranked team in the West.

Cam Newton is an absolute monster, but much like Ellis Johnson showing how to slow Alabama'a rushing game, I think Saban and Kirby Smart gave the blueprint of how to slow down the best professional athlete in college football this year.

Essentially Cliff Matthews and at least two linebackers will have to sell out every play to contain him on the ground. I believe we held him to something like 39 yards rushing which I believe USC can do the same.

Where USC has an advantage over what Alabama couldn't stop is they have defensive backs that can contain the deep ball. The deep ball to Zachary completely sucked the life out of the Alabama defense much like Jeffery making Milliner and Mark Barron look like absolute ass bags out there in Columbia.

Offensively, USC is in a great spot to take down the tigers. Get enough out of Garcia to Gurley and Jeffery to post up points early then grind it out with the freak Lattimore and the OBC should be bringing the SEC title back to Columbia.

So make you guy's first trip to Atlanta the best it can be and bring the same intensity to the Georgia Dome that you had in Williams-Brice Stadium when the Tide came to town and you can really take them out of their game.

Best of luck Gamecock supporters, you will have all of us cheering for you this Saturday without a doubt.

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Agreed! Beat Auburn!

by RammerJammer23 on Nov 30, 2025 1:50 PM EST reply actions

We don't want to, and you can't make us.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 30, 2025 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

I don't have much confidence in our chances, sorry.

Our defensive coordinator has said he will not spy Newton, except maybe on 3rd and long. I don’t know how that makes much sense, but that’s what he said. He also said the first time we played Auburn, back in late September, he thought of Newton more as a passing quarterback than an athlete, and they didn’t particularly game plan for his running ability. I can only hope he misspoke, or was exaggerating, or something; as that kind of thing happens with everyone from time to time. I just can’t imagine him being that incompetent, but we were all extremely baffled by the defensive strategy the first time around. Newton came into that game with more rushes than passes.

Anyway, I don’t agree with your assessment of our secondary. While it has improved since the Arkansas game, it is still ranked near the bottom of the league; and, they may have only improved ’cause of the quality of opponents played. Auburn will be their toughest challenge in pass defense since Arkansas.

I don’t want to be too negative, though. Johnson has done some great things with our defense in particular areas this season. Carolina is near the top of the league in sacks, defensive touchdowns, and rush defense. As far as the secondary, I don’t think they have improved solely ’cause of the quality of opponents. They are playing with more discipline and fire.

When you factor everything else into this game (how difficult it is to beat a team twice in one season, Garcia improving over the course of the year, etc.), I’d give our team a 50/50 chance at the victory.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 30, 2025 3:46 PM EST reply actions

You went from "I don't have much confidence" to 50/50 chance of victory in 4 paragraphs

I’d say you have more confidence than a lot of folks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends." - Tom Waits

by Gamecock'n'Balls on Nov 30, 2025 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

I usually lose when flipping a coin, so ...

How that’s statistically possible, I don’t know, but I do.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 30, 2025 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

I think you need to gameplan for the run.

And then make sure you keep an eye on that TE Lutzenkirchen. God I tried to get my friend to tell him to come to Carolina. He was set on Auburn though. But how does that TE get so wide open?

I think our gameplan needs to be to stop the run. And, I know Cam Newton can throw, but I think he would be more likely to devastate us with the run.

We can score points on Auburn. But they will not give up. We can’t either. Not on any play. Protect the football and we can win. That is the most important thing. Look at that Ingram fumble. Huge momentum changer. Bama scored on the first three possessions and was rolling. Ingram had a huge gain and then got tripped up a little, as he stumbled they caught him and punched it out. Drive number four, fumble, drive numbe five-Field Goal, Drive number 6, Fumble.

Before that Fumble, I honestly believed Bama had it going on and could not be stopped by Sherman Tank. After that fumble i found myself doubting the Tide. And then they lost it.

PROTECT THE FOOTBALL.

And, thanks Bama for the encouragement. We appreciate it and look forward to not having to play you the next couple years. Take that as a compliment.

- FOW

by skandrewj62j on Nov 30, 2025 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure I agree re: spying Newton

Spying Newton sounds really good on paper, but my question is: Who do you spy him with?

Do you spy him with a safety because of his speed? If so, then you’ve taken one person out of coverage (not good) and Newton still has a size advantage.

If you spy with a Linebacker, then which one? I don’t think Paulk is fast enough, and I’m not certain if Straughter or Dickerson have that ability. Plus, that likely opens up other things outside.

The two guys that might be able to do it physically are Taylor and Matthews. However, neither of them play standing up often, so I wonder how well they would do with that. (plus you take them out of their roles rushing the passer by doing that)

The one guy that we’ve had that would have done very well in that role now plays for the Panthers (Norwood).

Its not that I disagree with the premise of spying Newton, I’m just not certain that it fits our personnel the best. You have to play what you do well and then let the chips fall where they may, in my opinion. I actually think you hit the nail on the head when you said Ellis had them playing with discipline. That’s the key, to stay at home and do your responsibility. That’s what will keep some of those gains from becoming the long runs.

Now, having said all of this, I’d be surprised if Ellis doesn’t have a spy for certain situations. I just doubt it will be what he will do the majority of the time.

by theodometer on Dec 1, 2025 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I agree.

I think Ellis doesn’t want to spy Newton the majority of the time because we lack the proper personnel and / or he doesn’t want to give up other schematic plans for the game. Also, don’t forget that in a 4-2-5, we should have a good enough combination of speed and power to handle Newton without spying if everyone plays well.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Dec 1, 2025 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

Antonio Allen hits pretty hard.

Every now and then he’ll miss a tackle, but he’s pretty solid. I don’t think Newton’s size advantage would out match Allen. Straughter has actually really impressed me this season. He has good speed for a linebacker, and always seems to be around the ball on running plays. Whatever, though, I have no say in it. We’ll see if whatever they come up with works or not.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Dec 1, 2025 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting side note ...

… this will be the first time Straughter has played against Auburn, I believe. I don’t think he saw time in the last meeting, ‘cause that was the game Wilson played in while injured. Wilson is good, but I’ll take a healthy Straughter who has played every week over an injured Wilson who hasn’t played in a while any day.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Dec 1, 2025 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

Good point.

He did play, however, according to the participation chart, he only played late (had 1 unassisted tackle on Newton in their last drive).

http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2010-2011/sc4_au.html#GAME.PRE

by theodometer on Dec 1, 2025 9:17 PM EST up reply actions

1 unassisted tackle against Newton you say?

That’s a good 1 tackle to have.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Dec 2, 2025 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

Bumped.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 30, 2025 3:51 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the support.

I like your take on stopping Newton. I’m curious to see what we do about him.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 30, 2025 3:53 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the write, and for the support.

I, too, think we can accomplish the title of your post.

by Skulls and Spurs on Nov 30, 2025 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

NO PARASAN

--Robert
A Towers Alumnus

by a gamecock fan on Nov 30, 2025 5:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Thanks for the encouragement.

One thing I find interesting: Our smallest margin of victory this season was 11 points (Georgia), while Auburn has orchestrated a number of comebacks. Both are impressive ways to win, but in different respects, and our first game against Auburn had a lot of turnovers on both sides. It’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds if one or both teams take care of the ball.

I hope Auburn’s luck runs out. They’ve been living dangerously and one would think it’s bound to bite them sooner or later.

by RumblinFish on Nov 30, 2025 5:12 PM EST reply actions

That's what I thought about Florida in 2006, and they won it...

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 30, 2025 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks but ...

listening to Finebaum’s show, you might be the only guy in the Yellowhammer State that think’s weve got a snowball’s chance in Hades.

Which, actually, is the way I want it. Everyone thought we’d crash and burn against Bama. Everyone thought Urban Meyer was going to spank us. Most folks gave Clemson the upper hand against us. And now no one except TImmy B thinks we can beat Auburn. Personally, I love it.

Good luck to Bama and Roll Tide in your bowl game!

They wore garnet helmets.

by tryptic67 on Nov 30, 2025 5:40 PM EST reply actions

To all USC fans.

Im a big AU fan, but I have two grandparents who went to USC and I have the utmost respect for you guys. Here is to a great game, win or lose on our side. War Cam Eagle!

That said, this team was not just focused on Bama, this teams goal has been a championship all year if you listen inside the locker rooms. But Bama was nice ;)

"BYE BYE BO!"

by TheAuburnKnight on Nov 30, 2025 6:33 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the classy post.

I’ve got some Auburn people in my family, and the results of this game will definitely be the talking point of my Christmas vacation when I get down to Mobile to see everyone.

You don’t have to defend yourself against ‘Bama fans here. I can’t speak for everyone here, but I know all about the rivalry and I’m on your side in that one.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 30, 2025 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Go Gamecocks!

Please please do the CFB world a favor and beat this bunch of cheaters. I am confident the NCAA will erase their season and $cams heisman eventually, but their investigation will take time so put the BCS game out of their reach. You had them beat the first game until the turnovers killed you, same for us, we were on the verge of putting the game out of reach until two turnovers and a dropped pass that would have been a td. I believe you have he team to do it, and au will come into the game full of themselves and are ripe for the upset. Go Cocks, Roll Tide forever!

by bornbama1 on Nov 30, 2025 8:38 PM EST reply actions

Lol @ Bama fans

…no fanbase in the country is better at jumping on a bandwagon than you guys.

That being said, I have nothing but respect for the Gamecocks and I look forward to a great game this Saturday.

by kngry7 on Dec 1, 2025 1:30 AM EST reply actions

Wanted to stop by and say congratulations

on winning the east, and here’s to a hard fought game on Saturday (raising my glass). I don’t know why I was surprised to see the Bama fans’ posts, lol. Anyway, I too look forward to the game!

by aubgrad on Dec 1, 2025 5:24 PM EST reply actions

interesting to consider how other fans feel....

There are fans that wanrt Auburn to win so that the SECOND has a chance to win another consecutive National Championship.

There’s Arkansas that wants to win so they can get some Sugar.

And then there’s the fans that hate Auburn and want to root for us. Not many Dawg fans have posted here but it is interesting to read some pro-USC comments on the AJC from uga fans.
It really is peculiar.

- FOW

by skandrewj62j on Dec 1, 2025 9:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions

R-Kansas

needs Auburn to win so they can be the #2 in the conference and get the Sugar Bowl slot. A Carolina win would put you in the Sugar and Auburn, the new #2 in the conference, likely into the Orange.

An Auburn victory in Tuscaloosa, a SEC championship AND a national championship are defintely NOT part of 'The Process'.

by War Eagle Atlanta on Dec 2, 2025 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

Very interesting post, Bi Gal13

Wondering about the “who’s obssessed with who” references, considering you’re over here stirring the pot.

An Auburn victory in Tuscaloosa, a SEC championship AND a national championship are defintely NOT part of 'The Process'.

by War Eagle Atlanta on Dec 2, 2025 6:22 PM EST reply actions

aren’t you the guy that uses all the exclamation points in his posts on Track ‘Em Tigers? That’s cool.

by bigal13 on Dec 5, 2025 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

Dawg fan here....

I’m rooting for USC in this one. Know other UGA fans that feel the same. Hate to see Spurrier win another one, but then there is the alternative…. Go Cocks.

by ProfDawg on Dec 3, 2025 5:11 PM EST reply actions