5 major storylines coming out of the South Carolina football team's Bye week
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football's Post-Bye Week Storylines to Watch:
Cleaning Up Ball Security Issues
An unfortunate reality for the Gamecocks this season is that they haven't taken care of the football very well. Through four games, South Carolina has thrown just 2 interceptions (both by LaNorris Sellers), but USC has coughed the ball up for 10 fumbles. Carolina is lucky that the offense has lost just 40% of those fumbles.
Both LaNorris Sellers and Robby Ashford have held onto the ball for too long at times, and that has led to 6 strip sacks (3 for each player). With two fumbled center-quarterback exchanges for Ashford, the quarterback duo have combined for 8 of the team's 10 fumbles. That number is entirely too high.
Some of those fumbles have less to do with Sellers and Ashford as they do with some issues in pass protection. The Gamecock offensive line hasn't been great blocking in the passing game this season, and the running backs and tight ends have struggled at times picking up blitzers.
If the Gamecocks can make improvements in this area, they will have a much better chance of a victory next Saturday.