Vanderbilt University
Students: 12,745 total, 6,796 Undergrad
2013 Record: 1-1 (0-1 SEC)
All-time Record Vs. USC: USC leads series 18-4
Last year against Gamecocks: USC won 17-13
Head Coach: James Franklin (3rd season as head coach 16-12 overall record)
Everybody needs to settle down and take a deep breathe. The Gamecocks lost too Georgia and the defense didn’t look great. All can be corrected with a good performance this weekend again Vandy. The defense shows up and plays a great game and the offense can produce big numbers, and Gamecock Nation will be back in good standing.
Vanderbilt is coming off an easy win against Austin Peay 38-3. Vandy always seems to give the Gamecocks trouble and I don’t think this year will be any different. Over the past 6 season, the Gamecocks have failed to score more than 21 points. The Gamecock offense has been playing well this season, but look for Vandy to try and slow down Mike Davis and make Connor Shaw beat them with his arm and not his legs, like last year.
Vandy by the Numbers
Average Points Per Game Offense: 36.5
Average Rushing Yards Per Game: 147.5
Average Passing Yards Per Game: 286.5
Average Points per Game Defense: 21.0
Average Rushing yards given up Per Game: 145.5
Average Passing yards per Game given up: 168.5
Players to Watch:
WR Jordan Matthews- 16 Rec, 289 Yards and 2 tds
QB Austyn Carta-Samuels- 523 passing yards, 3 Tds
CB Andre Hal – 11 tackles on season
DE- Kyle Woestmann -2 sacks, 8 tackles
What might happen: Mike Davis will be the star on offense once again, look for him to rush once again for over 100 yards on Saturday. Bandon Wilds will also play a major roll on Saturday. The offense played well against Georgia and I think they will once again have a big game.
Vanderbilt will look to ugly up the game, on both sides of the ball and keep the Gamecocks offense off the field. I have a feeling the Gamecocks defense will perform much better than last week, but it will come down to the linebacker and secondary. Jordan Matthews is the real deal and he had a big game against the Cocks last year. Vic Hampton will have his hands full trying to slow down Matthews.
In the end USC has more talent and depth on both sides of the ball, and should win this game easily. That being said, USC's defense will need to cause a turnover and Connor Shaw needs to get Shaq Roland, and the tight ends involved early and often. Nick Jones was a nice suprise last week, and I have a feeling he will get his plenty of looks on Saturday.
Score Prediction. USC 28 Vandy 13
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