We had a positive response from last week's piece and we expect to do this the rest of the year. Through 2 weeks, the writers have really been able to give us extra insight into what we should look for from the opponent. I am really excited to see how this week's answers reflect their play.
1. How do you see the stadium atmosphere this weekend after an exciting start to the season followed by the disappointing loss in the SEC home opener to Kentucky?
I certainly don’t think it will be to the level that it was last week, for a home opener after two away from Williams-Brice Stadium and the anticipation of a potential 3-0 start. For USC fans, another loss to Kentucky was quite deflating. It’s also a 3:30 kick. I’d expect a pretty good crowd, but it may be down.
2. What is the overall perception of Muschamp in Columbia 16 games into his tenure?
Fans are excited to have a guy who has laid out a plan and works extremely hard in recruiting. His level of involvement as a head coach is almost unrivaled, and he has a good reputation there as well. There’s also a hope that his defensive pedigree will help make USC into the type defense that fans were once accustomed to seeing; in the latter years of the Spurrier era, there were some horrific defensive performances. There are still some questions of course; any sign of trouble makes fans wonder if things will turn out like they did at Florida. There have been some encouraging signs.
3. The defense currently ranks 107 in the 3rd down defense and 108 in first downs allowed. What are the underlying defensive weaknesses through 3 games that USC must improve upon?
I would imagine that statistic was boosted by USC’s performance on third downs defensively against Kentucky. It was a combination of uncharacteristic penalties, some lapses in coverage, not carrying the quarterback on a zone read play, losing containment on a designed pass that went for a third-down conversion run, and the like. Will Muschamp was actually asked what it was specifically today and there was not one specific thing; just a lot of things that USC needs to clean up.
4. The secondary was a strength coming into the season, has that remained true? Or has another position group overtaken? If so, why?
I’d probably peg linebacker as the strength of the defensive group. Skai Moore is very good in coverage (two interceptions away from the school record) and finds the ball. Sophomore TJ Brunson has been extremely active and USC employs Bryson Allen-Williams in a variety of ways. Those guys have been keys to success.
5. What is overall scheme of the Offense? Defense?
USC is a spread offensively, designed to get the ball into space. Like many teams nowadays, the concepts are zone runs and there are plenty of run-pass options off those looks. USC also mixes in some quicker tempo at times.
Defensively, USC gives some multiple looks with three and four-man fronts. They mix it up in terms of coverage and pressure packages.
6. Offensively, the team has struggled in the Red Zone so far, why has that been?
Again, I’d look at Kentucky. USC couldn’t punch it in on fourth and about a foot in that game facing the goal line. A makeable field goal was also missed in that contest. There have been some issues running the football as far as overall production there that USC needs to shore up, and that would help tremendously.
7. Has Jake Bentley been as better than expected, on par, or a disappointment so far in the eyes of USC fans?
He’s definitely shown his ability to make plays passing and running, especially in the NC State game. He’s actually been inconsistent in terms of missing some throws he’s more than capable of making. He’s been short or off on some intermediate ones that have caused some consternation, but he also makes some excellent throws and decisions. It’s important to remember that he’s still a very youthful player overall, with his first start coming as a true freshman midway through last season.
8. How does the loss of Deebo Samuel change the offense? Special Teams?
It’s a huge loss. Heading into the Kentucky game, he was the only FBS player with multiple receiving and kick return touchdowns. So that’s a significant impact, for sure. Samuel carried the ball, made contested catches, made yards after the catch on offense and he was a threat to score if you kicked it to him on kickoffs.
9. USC is currently 1-5 placekicking plus a missed extra point, can you talk about the place kicking struggles so far?
It was a question because neither Alexander Woznick nor Parker White had ever done it in a game situation. Both showed the leg in preseason, but doing it under the lights was a concern. Woznick missed an extra point against Kentucky and then missed an attempt against Missouri and against Kentucky on field goals. Parker White has a big leg and does well on kickoffs; his two longer attempts against UK were just wide. He’ll be the guy going forward, but USC wants to find some consistency.
10. How has the offensive line fared so far in pass protection vs run push?
In my opinion, the group has been ahead on pass protection. In the limited sample size we have, USC’s done a better job of getting a hat on a hat against four man fronts and pressures. The run blocking is a concern because guys have gotten through to tackle the ball carrier in short yardage situations too often. USC is looking at what to do schematically there in order to possibly compensate for that, but more push is needed as well.
11. Louisiana Tech’s biggest weaknesses are O-line pass protection and linebacker play.
a. How well does USC rush the passer? It’s a concern for the Gamecocks because the staff has to recruit some pass-rusher types and some of the future possibilities are still young and coming along. They’ll use some pressure packages (for instance, using linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams) in some different spots and the BUCK hybrid DE/LB played by DJ Wonnum is another spot that’s designed to get some pass rush. It’s not an area in which USC excels this season.
b. Does USC utilize the middle of the field with a tight end or inside receivers effectively? Yes, it’s a big part of the offense. There’s always a tight end on the field, sometimes two. The slot receiver also works over the middle a good bit and some of the screen game goes to the middle of the field as well.
12. Are there any injuries to starters besides Samuel?
Yes, right tackle Zack Bailey is out for this contest with an ankle injury. Dante Sawyer, a defensive end, suffered a hamstring injury against Kentucky. He did practice on Tuesday but was limited some.
13. What are your keys to victory this week for South Carolina?
USC has to get the running game going this week against a non-conference opponent. Shoring up the areas that hurt them against Kentucky, that will be key. Winning turnover margin, not committing untimely penalties, getting off the field on third down defensively (creating third and long situations) and extending drives.
1. How do you see the stadium atmosphere this weekend after an exciting start to the season followed by the disappointing loss in the SEC home opener to Kentucky?
I certainly don’t think it will be to the level that it was last week, for a home opener after two away from Williams-Brice Stadium and the anticipation of a potential 3-0 start. For USC fans, another loss to Kentucky was quite deflating. It’s also a 3:30 kick. I’d expect a pretty good crowd, but it may be down.
2. What is the overall perception of Muschamp in Columbia 16 games into his tenure?
Fans are excited to have a guy who has laid out a plan and works extremely hard in recruiting. His level of involvement as a head coach is almost unrivaled, and he has a good reputation there as well. There’s also a hope that his defensive pedigree will help make USC into the type defense that fans were once accustomed to seeing; in the latter years of the Spurrier era, there were some horrific defensive performances. There are still some questions of course; any sign of trouble makes fans wonder if things will turn out like they did at Florida. There have been some encouraging signs.
3. The defense currently ranks 107 in the 3rd down defense and 108 in first downs allowed. What are the underlying defensive weaknesses through 3 games that USC must improve upon?
I would imagine that statistic was boosted by USC’s performance on third downs defensively against Kentucky. It was a combination of uncharacteristic penalties, some lapses in coverage, not carrying the quarterback on a zone read play, losing containment on a designed pass that went for a third-down conversion run, and the like. Will Muschamp was actually asked what it was specifically today and there was not one specific thing; just a lot of things that USC needs to clean up.
4. The secondary was a strength coming into the season, has that remained true? Or has another position group overtaken? If so, why?
I’d probably peg linebacker as the strength of the defensive group. Skai Moore is very good in coverage (two interceptions away from the school record) and finds the ball. Sophomore TJ Brunson has been extremely active and USC employs Bryson Allen-Williams in a variety of ways. Those guys have been keys to success.
5. What is overall scheme of the Offense? Defense?
USC is a spread offensively, designed to get the ball into space. Like many teams nowadays, the concepts are zone runs and there are plenty of run-pass options off those looks. USC also mixes in some quicker tempo at times.
Defensively, USC gives some multiple looks with three and four-man fronts. They mix it up in terms of coverage and pressure packages.
6. Offensively, the team has struggled in the Red Zone so far, why has that been?
Again, I’d look at Kentucky. USC couldn’t punch it in on fourth and about a foot in that game facing the goal line. A makeable field goal was also missed in that contest. There have been some issues running the football as far as overall production there that USC needs to shore up, and that would help tremendously.
7. Has Jake Bentley been as better than expected, on par, or a disappointment so far in the eyes of USC fans?
He’s definitely shown his ability to make plays passing and running, especially in the NC State game. He’s actually been inconsistent in terms of missing some throws he’s more than capable of making. He’s been short or off on some intermediate ones that have caused some consternation, but he also makes some excellent throws and decisions. It’s important to remember that he’s still a very youthful player overall, with his first start coming as a true freshman midway through last season.
8. How does the loss of Deebo Samuel change the offense? Special Teams?
It’s a huge loss. Heading into the Kentucky game, he was the only FBS player with multiple receiving and kick return touchdowns. So that’s a significant impact, for sure. Samuel carried the ball, made contested catches, made yards after the catch on offense and he was a threat to score if you kicked it to him on kickoffs.
9. USC is currently 1-5 placekicking plus a missed extra point, can you talk about the place kicking struggles so far?
It was a question because neither Alexander Woznick nor Parker White had ever done it in a game situation. Both showed the leg in preseason, but doing it under the lights was a concern. Woznick missed an extra point against Kentucky and then missed an attempt against Missouri and against Kentucky on field goals. Parker White has a big leg and does well on kickoffs; his two longer attempts against UK were just wide. He’ll be the guy going forward, but USC wants to find some consistency.
10. How has the offensive line fared so far in pass protection vs run push?
In my opinion, the group has been ahead on pass protection. In the limited sample size we have, USC’s done a better job of getting a hat on a hat against four man fronts and pressures. The run blocking is a concern because guys have gotten through to tackle the ball carrier in short yardage situations too often. USC is looking at what to do schematically there in order to possibly compensate for that, but more push is needed as well.
11. Louisiana Tech’s biggest weaknesses are O-line pass protection and linebacker play.
a. How well does USC rush the passer? It’s a concern for the Gamecocks because the staff has to recruit some pass-rusher types and some of the future possibilities are still young and coming along. They’ll use some pressure packages (for instance, using linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams) in some different spots and the BUCK hybrid DE/LB played by DJ Wonnum is another spot that’s designed to get some pass rush. It’s not an area in which USC excels this season.
b. Does USC utilize the middle of the field with a tight end or inside receivers effectively? Yes, it’s a big part of the offense. There’s always a tight end on the field, sometimes two. The slot receiver also works over the middle a good bit and some of the screen game goes to the middle of the field as well.
12. Are there any injuries to starters besides Samuel?
Yes, right tackle Zack Bailey is out for this contest with an ankle injury. Dante Sawyer, a defensive end, suffered a hamstring injury against Kentucky. He did practice on Tuesday but was limited some.
13. What are your keys to victory this week for South Carolina?
USC has to get the running game going this week against a non-conference opponent. Shoring up the areas that hurt them against Kentucky, that will be key. Winning turnover margin, not committing untimely penalties, getting off the field on third down defensively (creating third and long situations) and extending drives.
