South Carolina football: Gamecocks get ready to face Auburn

KEYS TO VICTORY

Contain the run game

The Gamecocks must keep the Auburn rushing attack bottled up, and force Bo Nix to throw the football. Tailback Tank Bigsby is emerging as one of the Tigers’ top playmakers, and currently leads the SEC in all-purpose yards. Bo Nix is the third-leading rusher among SEC quarterbacks. Look for the read option game to play a major factor.

South Carolina will need to stay disciplined, lock into motions and misdirections, and avoid explosive plays. The Gamecocks rank third in the SEC in run defense, but some of those numbers have been inflated due to sack totals. The unit’s allowing over five yards a pop to opposing running backs. That must stop if they want to keep Auburn out of the endzone.

Win the turnover battle

Neither of these teams has been great in the takeaway category. South Carolina has a turnover difference of zero, tallying four takeaways and four giveaways. The Tigers have been a little bit better with giveaways, having turned the ball over just once this year, to go along with three takeaways on defense.

The Gamecocks have forced two turnovers in each of their last two matchups against Florida and Vanderbilt. They need that trend to continue this weekend versus Auburn.

Continue success on 3rd down

South Carolina has been great defensively in third down situations, allowing conversions at a rate of less than 20% on the year. That’s good for 3rd nationally.

The Auburn offense sits at sixth in the SEC in three-and-outs through three games. South Carolina has to get the Tigers off the field and prevent opportunities for long, time consuming drives.

Establish the run game early with Kevin Harris

Harris has gone off this year, leading the SEC in carries and ranking second in rushing. Each week, he’s progressed, posting totals of 55, 100, and 171 yards in consecutive weeks.

This week, he’ll go up against an Auburn defense that ranks 10th in the league in rushing yards allowed, surrendering over 155 yards a game to opposing offenses. If South Carolina can build upon its 289-yard performance from a week ago, it could be a long day for the Tigers.

KEY MATCHUPS

Ernest Jones v. Tank Bigsby

Bigsby is the player to stop on the Auburn offense. His role as both a tailback and kick returner has continued to grow, and the freshman is coming off of his best performance of the season. The South Carolina front seven, most notably Ernest Jones, will need to keep the talented back from running wild on the Gamecock defense.

Bigsby will get his yards, whether it be catching the ball out of the backfield, taking handoffs, or fielding kicks, but South Carolina has to avoid too many big plays from the Tigers’ most explosive player.

Jaycee Horn v. Seth Williams

If the Gamecocks can keep Bigsby bottled up and force Bo Nix to throw, Seth Williams will be the top target. Williams is a big-bodied receiver that can really go up and get it. He’ll likely battle Jaycee Horn in the secondary for most of the day, as he’s the Gamecocks’ top cover corner.

Horn is still looking for his first pick of the year, but he’s been able to lock down his opponents thus far. Williams is averaging 18 yards a catch and has recorded at least 70 yards in two of his three matchups. This should be a fun battle to watch throughout the game.

GAMECOCK TO WATCH

Nick Muse

Muse is coming off of his best performance in a Gamecock uniform, hauling in five passes for 85 yards. For the year, he’s totaled 11 catches for 156 yards, though he’s yet to reach paydirt. Auburn has allowed opposing tight ends to bring in six catches for 80 yards on the year, including a four-catch night for Arkansas tight end Blake Kern last week.

Look for Muse to continue to be that second outlet for quarterback Collin Hill, and take some of the pressure off of Shi Smith.

Outlook: 3 catches, 45 yds, 1 TD

PREDICTION

Auburn has struggled mightily to get its offense rolling, despite having playmakers at every position. South Carolina’s group has improved, but still touts a ball control type unit that methodically moves the ball up and down the field. Both defenses are the strengths of the team, so expect a low scoring fist fight that goes deep into the fourth quarter.

South Carolina has struggled to put the Tigers away in previous meetings, with Auburn always seeming to get a late score to get the win. For that reason, we’re optimistically cautious, but with an improved run game and an offense that’s finally settling in, we’re picking the Gamecocks in the upset.