What The South Carolina Gamecocks Learned About Their Last Opponent

November 26, 2011; Columbia, SC, USA; The South Carolina Gamecocks mascot before the game against the Clemson Tigers at the Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Ok, so there’s only one opponent left on the schedule for the South Carolina Gamecocks, but I’ll be damned if it’s not the most important opponent of the year.
The Clemson Tigers come into this game with one of the most prolific offenses in the country. They also have a suspect defense, but we’ll get into the X’s and O’s of this matchup tomorrow in “Matchup Time”.
Anyway, back to the story. Back to what this segment has been about all year on Garnet and Cocky. What did these Gamecocks learn about them boys from the Upstate Saturday?
Was there anything to learn?
The only time NC State really threatened Clemson was after a Tiger turnover.
Still, despite Taj Boyd throwing two interceptions, Clemson beat NC State 62-48.
To be clear, if Carolina drops 48 points on Clemson I think the game will be a blowout in favor of the Cocks.
So how did NC State, a team that sits at 65th in the nation in scoring, put that many points up on the Tigers? Well, the Wolfpack was down most of the game, but that’s not the only reason it racked up nearly 500 yards through the air; Clemson’s defense is seriously flawed.
And maybe that’s what we learned.
Maybe the best way for South Carolina to win this game is to chuck it around to Bruce Ellington and Ace Sanders and Damier Byrd.
But that doesn’t help slow down Boyd and Co.
The QB threw for 426 yards and five TDs against NC State, but also ran for over 100 yards and three TDs as well.
So how do you stop that?
Well, my friends, that isn’t something we learned about our final opponent, so I’m going to have to leave you on a cliff hangar until next time.
Stick with Garnet And Cocky, particularly the “Hub” section on the top right of the page, for great coverage of the upcoming game between South Carolina and Clemson.