Aaron Brenner needs to be fired as Clemson's beat writer c/p

Nov 28, 2014, 2:53 PM

Unreal with this trash

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20141128/PC20/141129459/1032/head-to-head-usc-at-no-23-clemson

QUARTERBACK
If Clemson's Deshaun Watson were healthy, this would be a push - if not swung completely in the other direction. But the freshman has barely played the last two months with first a broken hand and now a sprained knee ligament which leaves him questionable for the USC game. Meanwhile, senior Dylan Thompson is enjoying the best season by a Gamecock quarterback under Steve Spurrier, with more passing yards than anyone in the SEC. Did we mention he's won at Death Valley before?

Advantage: South Carolina

RUNNING BACK
Clemson's Wayne Gallman and Tyshon Dye have three 100-yard rushing games between them, but their effectiveness is limited without the dual-threat Watson freeing up the run. USC's Mike Davis may be mercurial, but he's also a future pro who's 112 yards from becoming the first Gamecock to rush for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since George Rogers. Behind Davis, Brandon Wilds and David Williams round out perhaps USC's most potent offensive position - not bad for a passing team.

Advantage: South Carolina

WIDE RECEIVER
Just as USC is waiting to see how much Watson plays, Clemson is doing the same with Pharoh Cooper. USC's leading receiver is suffering from a rib strain which has limited him in practice, and which he'll certainly feel in the game. Cooper is an absolute game-changer, a physical wideout who can shed defenders and also hurt you running or passing. If he's limited, this is a much more even matchup, assuming Clemson has a quarterback capable of getting Artavis Scott or Mike Williams the ball.

Advantage: South Carolina

OFFENSIVE LINE
Clemson has talented young skill players all over the place, but its offensive line has had its issues - the transfer of one 2013 starter, injuries to others, ineffective play by a few. USC isn't immune to problems, either, given that the Gamecocks have seen two right guards go down with injuries, and snapping the ball has turned into an adventure. But still - A.J. Cann, Corey Robinson and Brandon Shell are all probably bound for the NFL at some point, and right now it's that trio which sets the Gamecocks apart.

Advantage: South Carolina

DEFENSIVE LINE
Put it this way: Vic Beasley collected his eighth sack on Oct. 11, a week before South Carolina garnered its eighth sack. As a team. There's this, too: Clemson has registered nine tackles for a loss in nine different games this year; South Carolina's team high is eight, vs. Missouri. Winning the trenches is Clemson's best chance to end the streak, so we'll see if Beasley, Grady Jarrett and the Tigers are up to the challenge.

Advantage: Clemson

LINEBACKERS
Stephone Anthony has played his way into the notebooks of NFL scouts, and don't forget about the heartwarming redemption story of Tony Steward, back from three knee surgeries to make 61 tackles as a sturdy starting weakside linebacker. Tip of the cap to Jonathan Walton and Skai Moore, who have been part of the Gamecocks' resurgence on that side of the ball. But Anthony is a playmaking machine, the heart of the No. 1 total defense in the country.

Advantage: Clemson

SECONDARY
Long considered just a bunch of dudes without much pizzazz, the Clemson secondary is now full of swagger. Start with cornerback Mackensie Alexander, who almost never gets tested out in space; continue with senior Garry Peters, a revelation at boundary corner, and wrap up with sure-handed tackler Robert Smith and precocious ball-hawkers DBs Jayron Kearse and Korrin Wiggins. Big plays used to haunt the Tigers; they're now top-five nationally in 10-yard and 20-yard passes allowed. Rico McWilliams' concussion makes matters worse for the USC back end.

Advantage: Clemson

SPECIAL TEAMS
While both teams have solid kickers, Elliott Fry probably holds a slight edge over Ammon Lakip - the South Carolina placekicker made 12 straight field goal attempts earlier in the season, and after a lull has hit four of his last five. Punters Bradley Pinion and Tyler Hull are also fairly even, with averages just over 40 yards apiece. But Clemson hasn't blocked a kick this season, while USC has blocked three field goals as well as a punt at Florida which paved the way for an overtime victory in the Swamp.

Advantage: South Carolina

David Caraviello's take
We've seen this before - South Carolina's offense against a defense loaded with speed rushers who can make life difficult for Thompson. It's not unlike scenarios the Gamecocks faced this year against Missouri and Florida, both low-scoring grinders, one USC found a way to win, and another to lose. Expect Clemson to be another contest where every yard is valuable, and every possession is key. The difference is that USC has the players on offense to win that kind of game, and hobbled Clemson does not. The Tigers are loaded with terrific young skill players who may well build their own winning streak in this game. But for now, the existing one continues.

Prediction: South Carolina 21, Clemson 20

Aaron Brenner's take
Throughout the summer, it looked like this could be the year Clemson broke the streak, as long as its offense found its way. When South Carolina sank to the SEC's cellar, opportunity could have beckoned even more. However, it's been somewhat of a star-crossed year in the upstate, between injuries all over the offensive depth chart and constant coaching rumors late this month. There's just not many positive vibes for a host without momentum; if the Gamecocks' defense truly is back on track, it might not matter who plays quarterback for Clemson.

Prediction: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17

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