Arkansas Looms

With their win at Neyland Stadium yesterday, the Gamecocks improve to 7-1(5-1) and are a step closer towards reaching the SEC Title Game in Atlanta.  With Georgia beating Florida, Carolina is still in first place because of the tiebreaker over the Dawgs.  However, Georgia's remaining SEC shedule includes Auburn at home and Kentucky.  Carolina has to deal with the likes of Arkansas in Fayeteville and Florida at home.  It's not going to be an easy stretch for the Gamecocks but coming out with a win at Arkansas would be a huge accomplishment and would almost guarantee a spot in the championship game.  With the Gamecocks bolsering the best pass defense in the country, it's going to be interesting to see what Tyler Wilson can do.  Arkansas has struggled out of the gate against Ole Miss and Vandy in the last two weeks as well as Texas A&M.  If Arkansas comes out the same way against the Gamecocks, the offense is going to need to put up points because Arkansas can score fast.  I expect Carolina's defensive line to overpower Arkansa's offensive line and I also expect Steve Spurrier to air it out early and often if Arkansas comes out sluggish once again.

Pre-Kickoff Comments

We're two hours away from kickoff in Knoxville, TN.  I'm excited to see what kind of game Connor Shaw has without Marcus Lattimore.  He had a good game at Mississippi State two weeks ago but Knoxville is a whole different enviroment.  Brandon Wilds hasn't looked bad in the few carries that he has had throughout the season but we all know Marcus can't be replaced.  I'm looking for Alshon Jefferey to have a solid game against a not so stout Tennessee secondary and he needs 95 yards to pass the all-time receiving yards record at South Carolina.  He also needs one 100 yard game to also pass the record for most 100 yard games previously held by current Seattle Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice.  The defense I think will have its biggest game of the year so far.  They will be facing a true freshman quarterback making his first career start, a very below average running game as well an average offensive line.  This one will be a good one and has the potential to be the game that decides the SEC East.