Running game gives South Carolina edgeScouts, Inc.
The Independence Bowl has Steve Spurrier. The Head Ball Coach has South Carolina bowling in his first season in Columbia, but Big 12-tested Missouri will present the Gamecocks with a challenge.
South Carolina Offense vs. Missouri Defense
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier's proclivity for spreading the field and airing it out is well known. The Gamecocks do run a good amount of multiple-receiver sets but they have actually run the ball slightly more than they have thrown it this year. In addition, QB Blake Mitchell threw three interceptions the last time he took the field and he completed less than half of his passes in each of the two pervious games.
Keeping that in mind, expect South Carolina to put the ball in the hands of true freshman RB Mike Davis early and often. Davis has the vision to locate seams, he is quick and he fights for yards after contact, making him a good fit for South Carolina's spread offense. While he shouldn't put up monster numbers working against a Missouri run defense that is giving up an average of 3.8 yards per carry, he should be productive enough to help keep the chains moving.
Missouri Offense vs. South Carolina Defense
QB Brad Smith is the engine that powers the Tigers' offense, which can be good and bad. Smith is a big play waiting to happen, as he can make plays with his feet and his arm. It's critical that the Gamecocks keep him in the pocket and tackle well when he is able to break contain. If they don't, Smith has the speed and elusiveness to break some long runs. Making matters worse for South Carolina is that it can't be overaggressive. If its linebackers or safeties start to play run before Smith crosses the line of scrimmage, he throws well enough on the run to hit the open receiver downfield.
However, Smith is inconsistent and he will make poor decisions at times. That doesn't bode well for Missouri because the Gamecocks have 32 sacks on the year. If Smith tries to do too much and throws the ball up for grabs in an effort to avoid the rush, South Carolina has enough playmakers in the secondary to take advantage.
Special Teams
South Carolina PK Josh Brown hasn't missed a field goal attempt inside 40 yards all year and he has the leg strength to connect on field goal attempts from beyond that range. Brown also handles the punting duties. He is averaging 40 yards per punt and he has placed 15 of his 52 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Missouri PK Adam Crossett has connected on 13 of his 18 field goal attempts and he has been somewhat inconsistent. He too handles his team's punting duties. He is averaging 42.4 yards per punt and has placed 17 of his 52 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. South Carolina WR Sidney Rice vs. Missouri DC A.J. Kincade
2. South Carolina RB Mike Davis vs. Missouri MLB Dedrick Harrington
3. Missouri QB Brad Smith vs. South Carolina MLB Ricardo Hurley
Scouts' Edge
The quarterbacks make the outcome of this game difficult to predict. South Carolina fans certainly have to be concerned about Mitchell's poor play down the stretch, and Smith has been erratic for most of his collegiate career. However, look for the Gamecocks to get the win for three reasons: Spurrier's willingness to run the ball; South Carolina's spread sets creating quality single-coverage matchups for Mitchell; and the ability of the Gamecocks' pass rush to get to Smith.
Prediction: South Carolina 24, Missouri 20
The Independence Bowl has Steve Spurrier. The Head Ball Coach has South Carolina bowling in his first season in Columbia, but Big 12-tested Missouri will present the Gamecocks with a challenge.
South Carolina Offense vs. Missouri Defense
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier's proclivity for spreading the field and airing it out is well known. The Gamecocks do run a good amount of multiple-receiver sets but they have actually run the ball slightly more than they have thrown it this year. In addition, QB Blake Mitchell threw three interceptions the last time he took the field and he completed less than half of his passes in each of the two pervious games.
Keeping that in mind, expect South Carolina to put the ball in the hands of true freshman RB Mike Davis early and often. Davis has the vision to locate seams, he is quick and he fights for yards after contact, making him a good fit for South Carolina's spread offense. While he shouldn't put up monster numbers working against a Missouri run defense that is giving up an average of 3.8 yards per carry, he should be productive enough to help keep the chains moving.
Missouri Offense vs. South Carolina Defense
QB Brad Smith is the engine that powers the Tigers' offense, which can be good and bad. Smith is a big play waiting to happen, as he can make plays with his feet and his arm. It's critical that the Gamecocks keep him in the pocket and tackle well when he is able to break contain. If they don't, Smith has the speed and elusiveness to break some long runs. Making matters worse for South Carolina is that it can't be overaggressive. If its linebackers or safeties start to play run before Smith crosses the line of scrimmage, he throws well enough on the run to hit the open receiver downfield.
However, Smith is inconsistent and he will make poor decisions at times. That doesn't bode well for Missouri because the Gamecocks have 32 sacks on the year. If Smith tries to do too much and throws the ball up for grabs in an effort to avoid the rush, South Carolina has enough playmakers in the secondary to take advantage.
Special Teams
South Carolina PK Josh Brown hasn't missed a field goal attempt inside 40 yards all year and he has the leg strength to connect on field goal attempts from beyond that range. Brown also handles the punting duties. He is averaging 40 yards per punt and he has placed 15 of his 52 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Missouri PK Adam Crossett has connected on 13 of his 18 field goal attempts and he has been somewhat inconsistent. He too handles his team's punting duties. He is averaging 42.4 yards per punt and has placed 17 of his 52 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. South Carolina WR Sidney Rice vs. Missouri DC A.J. Kincade
2. South Carolina RB Mike Davis vs. Missouri MLB Dedrick Harrington
3. Missouri QB Brad Smith vs. South Carolina MLB Ricardo Hurley
Scouts' Edge
The quarterbacks make the outcome of this game difficult to predict. South Carolina fans certainly have to be concerned about Mitchell's poor play down the stretch, and Smith has been erratic for most of his collegiate career. However, look for the Gamecocks to get the win for three reasons: Spurrier's willingness to run the ball; South Carolina's spread sets creating quality single-coverage matchups for Mitchell; and the ability of the Gamecocks' pass rush to get to Smith.
Prediction: South Carolina 24, Missouri 20
