Can South Carolina handle success?
Five burning questions as we head into the weekend:
1. Can South Carolina handle success? Stop me if you’ve seen this movie before: South Carolina wins a big game and puts itself in a serious position to contend for the SEC East title. But the Gamecocks come out sloppy the next week and get beat. That is what faces head coach Steve Spurrier as he takes his 4-1 team on the road to play a 3-3 Kentucky team that really needs a win after losing three straight conference games. The South Carolina players are saying all the right things this week, but after watching Kentucky run up and down the field on Auburn (in a 37-34 loss) Spurrier knows that Kentucky can beat his Gamecocks. Spurrier, as you know, is not big on talk. He is big on results. “We’re going to find out,” said Spurrier, when asked if his team is ready to handle a game like this. “I don’t know how we’re going to react. But we certainly know that Kentucky is capable of beating us.”
2. Is Clemson ready to get this thing turned around? The Tigers went into this season as a favorite to win the ACC’s Atlantic Division. But now Clemson has lost three straight very tough games at Auburn (27-24 OT), at home to Miami (30-21), and on the road at North Carolina (21-16). Clemson held the Tar Heels to only 255 yards of total offense but gave up big plays on defense and couldn’t make enough plays on offense. Clemson has back-to-back games with N.C. State and Florida State in November, but unless the Tigers take care of business on Saturday at home against Maryland (4-1) those games might not mean much in the Atlantic Division race.
3. Does Alabama bounce back or come out flat against Ole Miss? Let’s face it. Alabama played at a very high level for a very long time. The Crimson Tide had won 19 straight games overall and 29 straight in regular season competition when it fell to South Carolina last Saturday. I still think Alabama is a team very capable of running the table and playing in the SEC championship game for the third consecutive year. And if the Crimson Tide gets to Atlanta at 11-1, anything can happen on Championship Saturday. This is where coaches like Nick Saban really earn their money. Alabama has the better team and they are playing at home. But does Saban’s team play sloppy because of an emotional hangover from last Saturday’s loss? Or do they take it all out on Ole Miss, who has had a week off to rest and study how Steve Spurrier attacked the Alabama defense?
4. Is Arkansas-Auburn REALLY going to be a shootout? On paper it sure looks like a high scoring game. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett leads the SEC (and is No. 3 nationally) in total offense per game (344.8 avg.) while Auburn’s Cameron Newton is second at 301.7. Newton is the SEC’s leading rusher (112.0 ypg) with an average of 6.5 yards per carry. But I see a couple of things that tell me the score won’t be as high as some folks think. No. 1: Auburn will try to control the ball on the ground with Newton and freshman running back Michael Dyer. That’s because in order to beat Arkansas you have to limit Mallett’s possessions. No. 2: Arkansas, which was so bad on defense last season, is now third in the SEC in total defense (302.4 ypg) and second in scoring defense (15.0 ppg). Both teams are going to be conscious about running clock and keeping their defenses rested because the other guy is so good on offense.
5. Is Nebraska THAT good? The Cornhuskers (5-0) have positioned themselves very nicely on the eve of the first BCS Standings, which will be released on Sunday. After blowing the doors (48-13) off previously undefeated Kansas State on the road, Nebraska is No. 4 in the coaches poll and No. 5 in the Harris Interactive poll going into Saturday’s historic date with Texas. Let’s face it, Nebraska has rolled to 5-0 against Western Kentucky (0-4), Idaho (3-2), Washington (2-3), South Dakota State (1-4), and a Kansas State team that beat UCLA in the opener, but then strugged to beat Iowa State (27-20) and UCF (17-13) at home. Freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez wowed everybody in the nationally-televised game against Kansas State last Thursday, but will Will Muschamp at Texas have something to contain him? Nebraska wants to make a statement in an effort to jump over Boise into the No. 3 spot in the coaches poll behind Ohio State and Oregon. Nebraska also wants its last Big 12 game against Texas (before going to the Big Ten) to really be remembered. Texas (3-2) has its backs to the wall after two straight losses.
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232 comments Add your comment
Swamp Thing
October 14th, 2010
6:54 am
First- Can’t believe I beat you dorks
Charlie Bama
October 14th, 2010
7:04 am
Ok, this system STILL isn’t taking my comments. Tony, have I been banned?
notthisyear
October 14th, 2010
7:09 am
1st
82Dawg
October 14th, 2010
7:14 am
@Swamp Thing ….The only dork is you for calling first. So childish act like you have been there before.
hmmmm
October 14th, 2010
7:22 am
i predict an auburn vs. SC rematch in Atlanta.
SC will finally get over the hump and beat teams they are supposed to beat. Too many NFL-quality weapons on offense.
Auburn – Newton is the next Vince Young. And VY had a pretty decent college career…
Bama – runs the table, other than Auburn loss.
Texas loses to Nebraska – Mack Brown and Mark Richt are consoling one another
Clemson is struggling with Dabo at the helm. He is too inexperienced and will lose to NCSU and FSU, after beating Maryland this weekend. The shocker will be a win against SC at Thanksgiving.
Jethro Bodine
October 14th, 2010
7:23 am
I think South Carolina is for real and will win the East this year! Clemson may not win many but will beat Georgia Tech this year. Tide was exposed last weekend but will begin to slide and not win West this year. If this is not right…blame Granny!
MURPHY
October 14th, 2010
7:23 am
Yes Nebraska is for real-They are going to take Texas to the wood shed this week. I sure wouldnt want to play Bama this week-Im sure Saban has been unbearable this week. I do believe this is Spurrier’s year. I dont see a drop off with them this week-they have learned from past history.If Auburns defense can show up they should handle Arkansas-thats a big if though-not alot of confidence in Ted Roof as a coach.Clemson-who knows-Dabo is a good guy but those Tiger fans are restless and he needs to win and fast.
Dawg_Mike
October 14th, 2010
7:25 am
“Spurrier, as you know, is not big on talk. He is big on results. “We’re going to find out,” said Spurrier”
Spurrier not big on talk…..really????
Reasoned Opinion
October 14th, 2010
7:31 am
1. That is a significant problem for the team whose name may not be mentioned on this blog. It is a problem for any team that is unaccustomed to success. Reaching a pinnacle in college football is always easier than remaining in that position. Not only must the winning team remain grounded and retain a grasp on their work ethic; opposing teams enjoy the benefit of enhanced motivation when facing an opponent who has been placed under the glare of the media limelight.
2. Clemson is just not a very good football team. Fortunately for them, neither is much of their ACC competition.
3. The Crimson Tide is a mentally and physically exhausted football team. They have suffered injuries to key playmakers. That said, Ole Miss is not likely the team to present a serious challenge to Alabama this year. Anything is possible, but LSU and Auburn present Bama’s greatest challenges in the remainder of this season.
4. I think that it will be a fairly high-scoring affair. I’m sure that Auburn would like to consume the clock by keeping the ball on the ground, but if Arkansas runs the score up early, then Auburn will have no choice but to respond in kind. Since Arkansas has a better defense than Auburn, I expect them to prevail in the end.
5. It’s impossible to tell. With the exception of a rare uprising by Missouri or Texas Tech, the conference, in recent history, has consisted of Texas, Oklahoma and the weak sisters. This year, Texas and Oklahoma are both rebuilding their teams. Nebraska has no serious competition against which they might be judged.
Beast from the East
October 14th, 2010
7:39 am
SC wins a failry close game.
Clemson wins two of the next three.
Bama rolls over the Akbars.
Barners is a barn burner!
Who knows on Nebraska. They sure look the part so far.
Tony, why no commentary on the agent scandal? That is the biggest story in college football this year. Can we get some insight form you on this story?
Auburn Redhead
October 14th, 2010
7:44 am
Offensively, I’d say Auburn/Arkansas are evenly matched. The difference in the game will be defense. Auburn struggles in this area plus we’re on the road. I’d give Arkansas the advantage but anything is possible. We all remember the shocking outcome of Alabama/South Carolina.
So, Beast ...
October 14th, 2010
7:45 am
…to what agent “scandal” do you refer – the one that the guy says happened 10 years ago? Not exactly a “current” scandal, so why is it the biggest story this year…
McDawg
October 14th, 2010
7:49 am
hey i thought this was a UGA blog
Beast from the East
October 14th, 2010
7:51 am
I’d like to hear more on the subject. I’d like to know how these guys are continuing to get away with it without any clue from the NCAA. He said it’s still going on and that the agents today are very sloppy.
Rodster
October 14th, 2010
7:54 am
South Carolina cannot stand prosperity. They’ll lose one more game in the SEC. ‘Bama will win out and be in the SEC championship game. No, Nebraska is not that good and as for the game with Texas, who cares? There are lots of teams that can beat Texas this year (too many to count.) Neither Auburn or LSU is not as good as their record indicates Alabama will beat both (LSU will get destroyed.)
Auburn Redhead
October 14th, 2010
7:57 am
Rodster…and Alabama IS as good as their record indicates? Does 35-21 from two weeks ago mean anything? A bit over-confident, dont you think?
MURPHY
October 14th, 2010
7:58 am
Beast from the East,
This is gonna be even bigger in a couple more weeks when the Ncaa and NFL get involved. This is going to be a full blown scandle shortly.
ATL is TigerTown
October 14th, 2010
8:04 am
Auburn redhead, what are you talking about? The Arkansas game is at Auburn. Unless you’re Arkansas, you’re not on the road. I think Auburn takes this one. Arkansas seems to have Auburn’s number, but not this year.
I see SC winning the East and getting a rematch with Auburn in Atlanta. UAT will have no problem with Ole Miss, but that won’t necessarily be a good predictor for the rest of their season.
War Eagle to all you Atlanta Tigers!
JB
October 14th, 2010
8:05 am
AU and LSU will both lose at least 2 games. YOu can only win close and by flukes but so many times. Especially in the SEC.
HBTD!!!
Beast from the East
October 14th, 2010
8:10 am
Murphy,
I’m afraid you’re right. No telling how many players at how many different schools may be implicated. Also, I wouldn’t think that Blake would be the only coach implicated when all the dust settles. Scary stuff.
Bail Bondsman
October 14th, 2010
8:11 am
Job security is fabulous in Athens ! I can handle this success !
Reasoned Opinion
October 14th, 2010
8:13 am
Auburn Redhead
October 14th, 2010
7:57 am
Rodster…and Alabama IS as good as their record indicates? Does 35-21 from two weeks ago mean anything? A bit over-confident, dont you think?
Alabama could lose the remainder of their games this season. That said, one loss in the past two years does not indicate that Alabama is no longer a good football team. Any team can lose a single game and comparisons of outcomes between common opponents is not a foolproof method for determining which team is the best. Were that the case, then Tennessee’s past two games indicate that Georgia is superior to LSU. Do you honestly believe that to be the case?
LLoyd Christmas
October 14th, 2010
8:13 am
It’s not just talk if you back it up and Spurrier usually has and does. You mutts just hate him because he cleaned your clocks annually in JAX.
JB
October 14th, 2010
8:16 am
Reasoned Opinion – That said, would you be shocked if UGA were to play LSU and win? I might be surprised but not shocked. Pretty much all are games have been close and if not for a few fumbles, very winnable. LSU could easily find a way to lose. Easily.
HBTD!!!
LLoyd Christmas
October 14th, 2010
8:17 am
McDawg – just where in Tony’s story did he mention UGA? Look at the title of this story, doofuss. And I know doofusses cause I play one in a movie.
Reasoned Opinion
October 14th, 2010
8:17 am
@LLoyd Christmas
On what basis do you make such a statement about Coach Spurrier? You must be referring to his tenure as Head Coach at Florida. He hasn’t won a Championship of any kind since that time.
Reasoned Opinion
October 14th, 2010
8:20 am
@JB
No, I would not be surprised. I don’t think that Georgia is as bad as they have looked, nor that LSU is… Never mind. LSU hasn’t really looked that good. For the most part, they have been incredibly lucky.
Joe Bob Thibodaux
October 14th, 2010
8:23 am
Can Arkansas run the ball against Auburn?
Eck N. Asia
October 14th, 2010
8:24 am
Auburn fan here, but I think this is where we start our slide to about 8-4 or 9-3. Other than Cam, I don’t see great offensive production and while we have some speed on defense and a couple of beasts on the DL, I don’t see our D shutting down Arky enough for us to out-score them. Hope I’m wrong.
LLoyd Christmas
October 14th, 2010
8:24 am
Reasoned – it really doesn’t matter.
LLoyd Christmas
October 14th, 2010
8:28 am
When he talks, he usually backs it up, like I said.
JB
October 14th, 2010
8:29 am
Exactly. Per usual, time will tell.
HBTD!!!
Joe Bob Thibodaux
October 14th, 2010
8:29 am
Reasoned Opinion
You certainly can’t accuse LSU of peaking too early.
The Tigers are getting better each week.
Back on the subject: Can Arkansas run the ball against Auburn?
Uhoh
October 14th, 2010
8:32 am
Anyone know where I can buy one of those “Honk if you sacked Mcelroy” bumper stickers?
MURPHY
October 14th, 2010
8:32 am
LLoyd Christmas,
UGA fan here that has not one issue with Spurrier. He tells it like it is. Im pulling for him to win the SEC-Would love to see him bring the Carolina people a championship-Great fans.
LLoyd Christmas
October 14th, 2010
8:33 am
What’s more sensitive? A massive bruise or a delusional mutt fan?
MURPHY
October 14th, 2010
8:34 am
JBT,
I say pigs struggle to run the ball on Auburn,but the again Ted Goof is the D coordinator.
JB
October 14th, 2010
8:34 am
Joe Bob – Getting better entails getting lucky, at he the very end of two consecutive games? One of which was against a VERY bad UT squad? Alrighty then!
HBTD!!!
The Real SugarHillDawg
October 14th, 2010
8:41 am
If SC had won anything of any relevance in the past I might’ve given them a shot to stay where they are BUT there is NO track record for them so they won’t win out. Bank on it!
AU Engineer
October 14th, 2010
8:44 am
Arky vs. Auburn: I don’t know who will win, but it should be a fun game to watch. Arky’s defense vs. Auburns offense. Has Arky played anyone that can run the ball yet? Oh, that’s right I forgot the elephants, they ran the ball down Arky’s throat and trampled all over them. Unless they have improved since the Bama game, it’s going to be a long day for their defense. But I predict a close game none the less, because AU has a difficult time defending the short pass, it kills them every time. And I think Arky will use that as their running game, because they will not be able to run against Auburn’s front four and if I were them I wouldn’t waste my time trying. Force Auburn to defend the pass and hope Roof doesn’t call a few blitzing plays from the linebackers.
My prediction: Who every scores the most points by the end of the fourth quarter.:)
JB's a $2 bill
October 14th, 2010
8:44 am
JB, you know everything. You should have your own column.
Joe Bob Thibodaux
October 14th, 2010
8:46 am
JB, there is not a rabbit in Louisiana with 4 feet.
Lee is beginning to show promise with the 2 QB LSU scheme.
If the QB situation wasn’t an issue, then LSU would be getting
positive exposure instead of Les Miles 30 second fire drill.
Good players get lucky! Jefferson just hasn’t shown that he can
put any opponent away, so LUCK has been a big factor.
If ARK can’t run, then AU remains undefeated– for one more week.
The AU/ARK game has to be the biggest in the SEC this week.
I would rather be lucky.
JBT
JB
October 14th, 2010
8:46 am
Thank you. That said, does the truth hurt?
HBTD!!!
RxDawg
October 14th, 2010
8:47 am
1. Nope, I actually picked them to get upset by Kentucky this weekend.
2. Meh, I kept believing in Clemson after that great game with Auburn. But I now just don’t think they are very good. Also, what does that say about Auburn. Close games with Kentucky and Clemson might mean they aren’t the world beaters they appear to be. Hmmmm
3. Well they bounce back against Ole Miss, that’s for sure.
4. High scoring game, low scoring game, either way I think Arkansas wins and another undefeated SEC team falls to conference parity.
5. Maybe, the Cornhuskers have certainly looked the part. It’s hard for me to truly judge them on who they’ve played though. I still think they beat Texas.
LLoyd Christams couldnt hold JB's Jock!
October 14th, 2010
8:47 am
Go back to your Techie blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Dog 98
October 14th, 2010
8:54 am
SC will choke.
Alabama will roll and not lose another game this season.
The ACC is a joke.
The Braves can’t win the big game.
Two more UGA players will be arrested before the end of November.
DawginLex
October 14th, 2010
8:55 am
the reality for UGA is this:
If SC wins in Lexington Saturday, UGA has no more shot at the SEC East. SC won’t lose to UT. SC might lose to Arkansas. SC right now is a better team than Florida.
UGA’s best shot is to keep winning, go 8-4 or 7-5 and win a bowl game and get ready for Murray to return in 2011.
Hayseed Dixie
October 14th, 2010
8:56 am
Not big on talk?
Spurrier is one of the most quotable coaches ever.
“they get all these 5 star recruits- I don’t know what happens to them.”
Apparently, Spurrier doesn’t talk to the Athens-Clarke PD regularly.
jumbeauxtiger
October 14th, 2010
9:02 am
JB & Reasoned Opinion,
Perhaps the Tigers have been lucky but there is no doubt they are a good team as evidenced by the fact that as of this week LSU is ranked number 1 in the computer bowls used in the the BCS formula per ESPN’s Brad Edwards.
We are very happy to be 6-0. That said, unlike some posters on here who were delusional about their team this past offseason, many LSU fans recognize the Tigers will need to cutdown on thier mistakes on offense to have any chance of running the table. Many also feel that the chances of us going undefeated are not good.
Arkansas, Alabama and Auburn are all strong teams and we know we will have to play our best to beat.
jumbeauxtiger
October 14th, 2010
9:03 am
meant to say computer “polls”.