For the first time in college football history, there will be a matchup featuring two teams of Gamecocks. South Carolina and Jacksonville State are the only two teams in Division I football that use the Gamecocks mascot. The two teams will meet for the first time on Saturday in Columbia. The Gamecocks of South Carolina are in a position to string together much-needed wins in November. Game one requires stopping the rushing attack of the Gamecocks from Jacksonville, Alabama. Jax State, led by head coach Rich Rodriguez, comes to Columbia with a 7-2 record on the year. Carolina needs to use this opportunity to pick up momentum moving forward. But they have to be careful not to look too far ahead.
Bring Back the Weekly Segment: Stack the Box
Credit is due to this Jax State team that is currently second in Conference USA. The offense runs at a high speed. South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White said in his Wednesday presser that the Gamecocks’ offense reminds him most of Tennessee in terms of tempo. Quarterback, Zion Webb is a threat running the football. He is averaging over 57 yards per game on the ground. The team averages over 217 yards per game rushing compared to just under 160 yards per game through the air. Earlier in this season, South Carolina began shifting more players into the box and selling out to stop the run against run-heavy teams. The idea that the secondary was the strength of the defense gave White freedom to put his corners and nickels on islands in man coverage. While that didn’t work well, it is time to bring it back.
In a first-time matchup between these two schools, Carolina is looking to impose Gamecock on Gamecock violence at the line of scrimmage. If Jax State plans to reach its season average of 28 points, it will be primarily facilitated by an effective run game. The Gamecocks have four players who average over 50 yards per game rushing, with a fifth player just outside of that total at 48. The running game is a team approach. Led by Malik Johnson, Jax State will attempt to impose its will at the point of attack and open opportunities for backs to make plays in space. Carolina needs to be disciplined in the front and limit success on early downs. Getting Jax State into obvious passing situations on third down is a recipe for success for South Carolina’s defense. Webb has only thrown eight touchdowns on the season along with five interceptions.
Ways to Attack
From a defensive standpoint, Jax State is giving up just under 19 points per game and just under 350 yards of total offense. They have accounted for 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries on the year. Because their offense plays at a fast pace, Jax State leaves their defense on the field for roughly 56% of the game. They are giving up over 230 yards per game through the air and 115 yards per game on the ground.
South Carolina’s approach in the matchup between Gamecock squads needs to feature Mario Anderson. Establishing the run has led to success under Shane Beamer. The magic number continues to be 100 yards per game on the ground as a team. Anderson should look to eclipse that mark on his own Saturday afternoon. Running the ball and controlling the clock leads to confidence, which this banged-up offensive line really needs. With the running game being a realistic threat, Spencer Rattler will have more opportunities for success in the passing attack.
In terms of goal numbers against Jax State, Anderson needs over 20 carries and Dowell Loggains should look to have Rattler throw the ball around 25 times. Rattler is special. Facing a Gamecocks’ defense that has 30 sacks on the season will require attention to detail in protection. However, this game presents an opportunity for him to once against complete over 80% of his passes and connect on a handful of explosive plays. Xavier Legette could be using this game for needed recovery time headed into two more SEC games. The (Carolina) Gamecocks’ fans could very well see the official coming out party of Nyck Harbor.
Head and Heart
In reference to the current record and the need to win four in a row, Beamer said to the media on Tuesday, “You can’t win four in a row without winning the first one.” He recognized the cliché nature of harping on a game-by-game approach, but doubled down on its relevance in this situation. South Carolina can reach bowl eligibility only by going undefeated in the final month of the season. Each game will be played at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, a great advantage for the Gamecocks regardless of opponent. Additionally, each game appears to be more difficult than the one before it. So, the Gamecocks are starting at level one this week.
Player interviews on Tuesday communicated one clear message: focus. Carolina players themselves have to keep their heads in the game, block out the noise surrounding a 2-6 record, and play for what is still in front of them. Super senior running back Dakereon Joyner acknowledged all that is left to play for in his media availability on Tuesday. He also made an appeal to the hearts of his teammates saying, “Take advantage of every single moment and just enjoy being with each other.”
The final four games will test the culture in Columbia. As Carolina prepares to engage in a Gamecock on Gamecock matchup with a first-time opponent, opportunity abounds. South Carolina gets some momentum back in this one.
Final Score: South Carolina 38 Jacksonville State 20
