A matchup with Texas A&M has historically not gone well for South Carolina. The Gamecocks won for the first time in this series last year, after playing the Aggies annually since 2014. Carolina has never won at Kyle Field in College Station and this season does not look like the time for that streak to be snapped. Shane Beamer and company are on a three-game skid that has dropped them to 2-5 on the season. The Gamecocks’ biggest challenges against the Aggies will come up front. Carolina will once again need to make an attempt to engage in a shootout and simply outscore the opponent in a high-scoring affair.
Creativity is the Name of the Game
South Carolina’s offense has the odds significantly stacked against it. Dowell Loggains has found a fair amount of success in his first season calling plays for the Gamecocks. However, the tools at his disposal have become more and more sparse as the season goes on. It seems that Carolina has lost at least one offensive lineman every week this season. The total of injured big guys is up to 10. The Gamecocks hope to get two or three of those players back this week as they face the SEC’s leader in team sacks (29). At best, Loggains will have one experienced starter, two talented freshmen, one versatile vet, and a struggling transfer on the line Saturday. He will have no choice but to be creative when it comes to scheming around the injuries.
If it is possible, Spencer Rattler will have even more responsibility on his shoulders than in previous weeks. The possibility of Xavier Legette missing this game with an injury could impact who is available to help Rattler. It looks like Ahmarean Brown will once again be sidelined with a hamstring injury, which makes way for players like Luke Doty, Eddie Lewis, and the very talented Nyck Harbor to see more time. When Legette has been out, Rattler has looked to tight end Trey Knox as his safety valve.
This week will require getting the ball out quickly and trying to chip away at the A&M defense. Since the Gamecocks’ biggest challenge against the Aggies will be protection, a quick game, and the rushing attack are the way to go. Running backs and tight ends should be very active in the passing game this week. Additionally, Mario Anderson could get the most carries he’s seen in a single game with the Gamecocks as Loggains tries to back off the Aggies’ pass rush and utilize as much clock as possible by establishing the run.
Back to Where It Started
Defensively, every team presents challenges to a South Carolina bunch that has not experienced success in weeks and is showing a lack of confidence. Texas A&M has not been a juggernaut on offense this year, but the unit has the pieces to break out. On the ground, the Aggies average just over 130 yards per game. South Carolina has to keep them at or below this average while also maintaining the passing attack. A&M uses a couple of backs to get the job done on the ground. While neither is the focal point of the offense, the Gamecocks cannot ignore them and allow the Aggies to run wild.
Through the air, Max Johnson is not a backup quarterback. The former LSU starter is filling in for an injured Conner Weigman but possesses all of the ability and experience to be a successful quarterback in the SEC. Not to mention, Johnson has plenty of weapons. Ainias Smith and Evan Stewart are two of the most talented wide receivers in the SEC. To add to it, Johnson’s brother, Jake Johnson is an outstanding talent at tight end. The Aggies bring a balanced attack, which presents a big challenge for the Gamecocks.
Clayton White needs to put his safeties back in the back end, where they are comfortable and effective. This will require finding an answer at nickel. Former starter and playmaker David Spaulding has been virtually non-existent this year. The question remains whether he is still dealing with injuries or simply regressed in play. While the latter seems unlikely after two years of success for the Gamecocks, injuries could have had long-term effects on Spaulding. If he isn’t the answer, there are others on this roster with corner skills that can be more impactful at nickel than sliding big-bodied safeties down to play man coverage against Smith and/or Stewart.
The Big Picture
The likelihood that South Carolina will win on Saturday in College Station is not high. The challenges for the Gamecocks against the Aggies are not nearly insurmountable. With that being said, there is always a way. If Carolina can bleed the clock and establish a run game that averages four yards per carry, the offense can work its way down the field without many explosive plays. Rattler has made a living with explosives this season but with a banged-up offensive line, at best, he will likely not have time for that on Saturday. The Gamecocks need to shorten this game by working through Anderson. Loggains needs to go to a game plan similar to the one used against Georgia to overcome the Gamecocks’ challenges up front against the Aggies. If it utilizes screens and short passes, the offense may stand a chance.
Defensively, the only shot is to keep everything in front and sink back into soft coverage. The Gamecocks are committed to man coverage, per Beamer’s press conference last week, but it is getting them torched. Zone will be their best friend against a balanced and veteran A&M offense. Soft coverage may also allow this defense to employ a real “bend but don’t break” mentality in their attempt to limit Johnson and the Aggies.
In the end, this challenge is going to be too large for the Gamecocks.
Final Score: Texas A&M 31 South Carolina 17
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