Florida has dominated this series through the years, holding a 20-4-3 advantage in the series, including last year’s 17-16 squeaker in Gainesville. The Gators are 14-1 against the Gamecocks since they joined the SEC in 1992, though that 1 loss was 2 years ago in Columbia.
USC offense is rolling along into the game against UF. They have compiled 990 yards of offense the last two games even if the defense has been weak.
South Carolina is No. 1 in the nation again this week in pass defense — Clemson is No. 3– allowing a national low total of 149.2 yards per game. The numbers reflect less about a ferocious pass rush and great man-to-man coverage as they reveal about a historically bad rushing defense. The Gamecocks are ranked No. 104 against the rush this season, surrendering an average of 206.5 yards per game on the ground. Opponents have been running the ball an average of 42.4 times a game against the Carolina defense and gaining an average of 4.8 yards per carry. And they would choose to run, why? Those same offenses have passed an average of 28.7 times a game.
USC has converted 47.7 percent of third down opportunities last season. This year, the Gamecocks’ success rate on third down has tumbled to 36.5 percent.
Florida is third in the SEC in rushing at 189.44 yards a game. So watch out Carolina and be prepared. Gators are allowing only 105.6 ypg and 3.1 ypc on the ground so don’t look for Boyd to be the sole hero in the game even if he has rolled up 254 yds the last 2 games.
Florida continues to have the SEC’s highest scoring proficiency since 2000. The Gators have averaged 3.38 points per offensive drive, which tops Florida’s 2001 mark of 3.27. The Gators have scored TDs on 46 of 101 offensive drives, a 45.5 ratio. It is higher than Florida’s 2001 mark of 40.9 percent (59 of 144).
The biggest thing, in my opinion, against Florida is we have to play strong in in the first half. For the third straight game, USC fell behind by double digits in the first half. It is very difficult to keep playing from behind against good teams all the time. Granted, they’ve played well offensively in the second half but it’s been a case of too little, too late. Good teams will not surrender sizeable leads. SC needs to come out of the gate hungry and with fire in the belly. No more late game come back trys….how about for a change South Carolina dictates the game from the start!
FYI— here is a good read for today that our pal JR referred us to – HERE…thanks JR.
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