And just like that, the season is back on. The Gamecocks and the fanbase, are riding high off a historic win last Saturday to make two conference wins in a row. We saw star players rise to the occasion and a team that refused to lose on their way to shaking the college football world.
So now, heading on the road to Oklahoma, South Carolina looks to end the month on the highest of highs. Sitting at 4.5 point underdogs, Shane Beamer and company will be taking on an Oklahoma team that touts an elite defense, but an offense that has underwhelmed for much of the season. Will Halloween bring treats for Carolina, or will the Sooners bring out the tricks?
On my podcast Cox Talking Gamecocks I outline the "crows to the game" every week. Why crows? Because everyone has keys to the game and we have our rooster crow, so why not. Let's get into it!
Offensive Crows
1. Convert on third down: Once again Brent Venables is fielding an elite defense, something that Carolina fans are all too familiar with. Currently, the Sooners rank second in opponent third down conversion rate. Keeping the chains moving and keeping the offense on the field for extended drives will prove crucial, and could make the difference late in the game. LaNorris Sellers needs to continue to be aggressive in his scrambling and the offensive line has to continue to play with intensity in short yardage situations.
2. Dominate time of possession: It’s unreasonable to expect scores on every drive, but the Gamecocks have to apply constant pressure against Oklahoma. Last game, South Carolina came out firing but then hit a lull in the middle quarters of the game. Whether that was Kendal Briles mistiming an adjustment or the opposing defense catching on to the gameplan, there was a stretch of time where the offense was stuck in the mud. This week, on the road against a top defense, the Gamecocks’ offense has to try to avoid a prolonged lull like that and dominate the time of possession.
Defensive Crows
1. Contain Isaiah Sategna III: The Oklahoma offense has left little to be desired this season, but wide receiver Sategna is a true playmaker. The senior wideout leads the Sooners in receiving yards and will be quarterback John Mateer’s top target. Gamecocks defensive backs like Judge Collier and Gerald Kilgore have to continue to play at a high level and make it a tough day for Sategna to get separation.
2. Win the turnover battle: It feels as though some variation of this gets mentioned every week, but it’s the truth. Especially for a unit that has not created as many turnovers as in past seasons, each one is precious. Just look at the end of the Tennessee game for proof. Given the struggles of Oklahoma’s offense, if the Gamecocks defense can create turnovers that should take away any momentum, or hope, that the Sooners offense could turn things around in this game.
The arrow has been trending up for South Carolina over the last couple of weeks. All three phases have contributed in major ways over the last two games, and the team is playing up to its preseason billing. Though, as life in the SEC would have it, there is never reprieve.
The Gamecocks will be on the road against a team with a very strong defense and an offense that has vertern players, albeit with some poor showings this season. The Sooners will be looking to find momentum themselves, and South Carolina has to continue to level up in order to be the victor.
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