USC Game Thoughts- Long

Nov 20, 2017, 1:10 PM

I believe the game this weekend will definitely be intriguing. Both teams are pretty healthy at this point in the season getting back key players. They obviously have the home crowd on their side. Here are my thoughts....

USC Offense vs Our Defense- They are in a pickle. They cannot think they will be able to sustain drives against our defense. They will probably want big plays, however, for big plays the QB usually needs time. I do not see their offensive line being able to block our guys in passing situations. I do not believe they will have much success running at all either. Our front should not need much help controlling the box therefore we should be able to devote extra guys to the pass or blitz if needed. I think Bentley may pick up a few yards here and there on scrambles. Look for us to get after him early and often. He has not been good under pressure (most QB's aren't). The only thing I am concerned about is a trick play or 2 that may be successful against our aggressive defense. I would not be surprised to see them try to uptempo as well to try and wear our guys out (Syracuse) maybe even trying to work right and left to get them running. At the end of the day they will be under 300 yards of total offense. Less than 100 running. We will have 3+ sacks and multiple TFLs with at least 1 turnover.

USC Defense vs. Our Offense- Another interesting matchup here on how the USC defense will try to stop us. If they try to zone us to slow down the pass game and help in QB runs and scrambles I believe our running backs will have a nice day. If they play man, we should have mismatches at multiple positions with Cain and his size and speed and then whoever their freshman CB Williams is guarding. Also, when teams play man, if the QB run game breaks the first level, there is lots of green grass to run. I believe they will try to go with a mixture of both but they will try to load up to stop the run. Kelly should have a nice day passing (like Fromm did when they tried to stop GA run game). Feaster and/or ETN will also break a long one.

SPECIAL TEAMS- FG for both sides is a toss up especially in big moments. The jury is still out. I hope McCloud does not try to do to much on punt returns as that has hurt is in Columbia before. SECURE THE BALL.

Outcome- I see this being like VT and UL. On the road in a hostile environment. Night Game. A little doubt or worry in a few fans minds. People saying just weather the storm early. Yet we come out and suck the life out of the stadium early. Outcome will be something around the 34-17 range with 7 of theirs coming in garbage time. It will be a domination.

GO TIGERS!!!!!!

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USuC Offense vs Our Defense: Look for trick plays, a moving pocket (they're going to get Jake out in space away from our D-line) and a game plan that mimics Syracuse. Syracuse, NC State and FSU all had levels of success with quick passes. With no run game, that's their plan. We need our secondary to be healthy and ready for that and we need our d-line to get a push to disrupt the lines of scrimmage.

USuC Defense vs. Our Offense: The first thing that comes to mind here is our execution. We have got to play the game that I know we're capable of on offense. No dropped balls, no turnovers. Run. The. Football. I am curious to how USuC attacks us on defense. Will they sell out to stop the run (didn't really work out well with Georgia)? Disguised blitzes to confuse Bryant? I think it boils down to can we execute on offense? Can we play mistake free football?

Special teams: no turnovers. Kick the ball into the endzone or don't allow returns. The freakin' Citadel was getting return yards on us.

I see the potential for Clemson to dominate. It all depends on how we play execute.

USC Game Thoughts- Long

Re: USC Game Thoughts- Long

Re: USC Game Thoughts- Long

Re: USC Game Thoughts- Long

YeP..but gonna be tight & close for awhile but

Re: YeP..but gonna be tight & close for awhile but

One thing I do know from experiencing this rivalry for many

I think it's an 8-10 point game.***

Don't know what schedule you are looking at

Re: Don't know what schedule you are looking at

Re: USuC Game Thoughts- Long

Game will boil down to KB passing accuracy & TOs***

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