Oct 27, 2012; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Dennis Johnson (33) is tackled by Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman Issac Gross (94) at War Memorial Stadium. Mississippi defeated Arkansas 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE
The South Carolina Gamecocks are without Marcus Lattimore, and Connor Shaw’s injury might be worse than I previously reported, but SC’s opponents really didn’t learn much else about the Gamecocks in their matchup with Tennessee.
What did USC learn about its remaining opponents, though?
Arkansas won’t be coming into Columbia with anything to play for even if it beats Tulsa this weekend. After falling to knock off Ole Miss, the Razorbacks would have to beat three of their remaining four opponents to get bowl eligible. That’s not going to happen with No. 8 South Carolina, No. 15 Mississippi State and No. 5 LSU still left on the schedule. Does that mean they have no shot at beating the Gamecocks? No, it just means they won’t have much too look forward to if they do win.
Wofford will be the best FCS team South Carolina has played under Steve Spurrier. The Gamecocks had a close call with the Terriers a few years ago, but this version of Wofford is better than that one. When it’s all said and done, the Terrier’s only two losses on the year will probably be at the hands of Georgia Southern (The presumptive Southern Conference champ) and the Gamecocks. South Carolina cannot sleep through this game and get out alive.
Clemson will be hard to stop. If there’s anything the Tennessee game showed SC fans, it’s that Clemson’s offense will probably keep the Tigers in the game with Carolina. Sure, their yearly slip up against a weak ACC foe could still come in the few weeks (Duke, Maryland and pesky NC State), it won’t be the offenses fault when (yes, when) they lose to South Carolina.