South Carolina Gamecocks vs Clemson Tigers: Matchup Time

Nov 17, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Devin Taylor (98) lines up against the Wofford Terriers at Williams Brice Stadium. South Carolina defeated Wofford 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

Two more days. Two more days. Two more days. I keep saying it, but that doesn’t make the South Carolina Gamecocks game at Clemson come any sooner so let’s get right to it, and maybe I’ll be able to forget that it isn’t Saturday yet while I write this.
More than any game this year, the three matchups I’m about to list will seriously impact the final score at Memorial Stadium this weekend (all the matchups I post usually end up playing out and affecting the game, but the ones I’ve selected this week are of monumental importance to the outcome).
First, we have:
Carolina’s Front Four vs Clemson’s Run Blocking Scheme
That scheme will be executed by the Tigers’ offensive line, but I didn’t want to confuse anyone; This matchup is all about that O Line run blocking and how effectively South Carolina neutralizes their game plan.
While the Tigers do effectively run passing plays as running plays on first and second downs sometimes (short screens, hitches, etc), getting Andre Ellington going out of the backfield is crucial to their success on offense.
If he can gain large chunks on first and second downs, Taj Boyd won’t even sweat when making a short throw or run on third down.
Slow Ellington down, make Boyd think, and you have a recipe to get Jadeveon Clowney and Co. in the QB’s face and Boyd on his back.
For South Carolina to win this game they are going to HAVE TO get pressure on Boyd.
If he’s only throwing five yards down field the entire game, Carolina’s pass rush won’t have time to do that.
Connor Shaw vs Clemson’s Secondary
CU has given up 270 yards per game through the air and allowed opposing QBs to complete just under 60 percent of their passes.
Shaw has to play this game like he played last year’s.
Cool, calm, collected.
He looked downfield when it was there and dumped it off when it wasn’t.
He won’t be perfect every drive, but if Shaw can put up numbers just a little better than what Clemson’s opponents have so far this year, the Gamecocks will be in great position to win this game.
Offense vs Offense, Blow For Blow
It’s plain and simple: If Clemson to runs significantly more plays than the Gamecocks do, the Tigers will win this game.
Carolina doesn’t have to win that battle, they just have to keep it close.
On the year, Clemson has run just over 125 more plays than their opponents. That’s an average of +11 per game.
If Carolina can just keep that number below ten it will improve their chances of winning. Keep it below five and I think they win. If Carolina wins that battle, they win the game going away.

This game will determine whether or not Carolina has a shot at moving back into the BCS top 10 to end the year, whether or not they have a shot at winning 11 games for the second straight year and, honestly, whether or not the country continues to take them seriously.
These matchups will decide all of that.