South Carolina Football: 10 players the Gamecocks will need to see step up after the Bye Week

10 players South Carolina Football must have step up after the Bye Week:
Left Tackle Tree Babalade

Tree Babalade started his Gamecock career about as well as any freshman left tackle could. He played significant snaps against Furman and was very good. He was somehow even better against #1-ranked Georgia as he was the Gamecocks’ top performer up front on offense. Then, against Mississippi State, he was the best Gamecock lineman once again.

The first tough outing of his career came against Tennessee last Saturday, and it was a doozy. Babalade was beaten early and often against the Vols’ tenacious front-7. He wasn’t the only one, however, as the Gamecocks surrendered 6 sacks and, with the exception of one long run from Mario Anderson, led a running game that averaged less than 3 yards per carry.

In order for this South Carolina football team to win some of the toss-up games remaining on their schedule, Babalade must protect Rattler’s blind side in the passing game.

One of Spencer Rattler’s only weaknesses is one many quarterbacks share. His “internal pass rush clock” starts to shrink if pressure consistently gets in his face. He is an elite passer when he is comfortable, and the big fellas on the line have to give him time in the pocket for him to stay comfortable. That starts with Big Tree.

It is unfortunate that the Gamecocks must rely so heavily on a true freshman, but that is the state of Lonnie Teasley’s offensive line unit at this time. Babalade is not in an enviable position, but the big man is capable of handling it.