Gamecocks Must Find Success vs. Arkansas

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The South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3, 3-3 SEC) will make their final road trip of the regular season on Saturday as they travel to Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-4, 1-4 SEC).

For the first time in a month, the Gamecocks are not ranked as they suffered a disappointing loss to Tennessee due to turnovers. But they must quickly adjust, and learn from their mistakes as the Razorbacks are coming off a nice win over Eastern Michigan by the score of 63-27.

USC is 7-10 all-time versus Arkansas, and only have won one game out of four attempts in Fayetteville. For the Gamecocks, this game means a lot, and is considered by some a must win. The reason there is a lot on the table for Carolina, is that for two seasons straight there has been late season collapses. In 2009, this can not happen again.  Luckily, the sixth win has been achieved, but that is no longer good enough in the eyes of some, and if the "New Carolina" is going to establish itself, then the Arkansas game must be won.

Winning this game will not be easy, but no wins in the SEC are easily attained. In this game we get to see two of the SEC's most prolific passing attacks. Arkansas leads the conference with 295.8 passing yards per game, while the Gamecocks rank second at 237 yards per game. The Razorbacks have been far more efficient, however. They lead the SEC with 20 passing touchdowns, and are averaging 49.3 points at home. The Razorbacks offense is ranked second in the SEC, averaging 438 yards per game, and 36 points per game. But they will be tested against a very good Gamecock defense lead by All American Candidate LB Eric Norwood.

For the Gamecocks, like all season, it comes down to the defense if they want to win on Saturday. The Carolina offense has been lacking despite good numbers. From flags, to sacks allowed (which they lead the SEC in with 24), turnovers at the wrong time, and just not being able to put it in the endzone. Well, Spurrier looks to his defense to aid the cause in getting the win.

For Carolina, the good news is the match-up plays to their strengths. The Gamecocks may not be able to stop the run as shown in the UT and 'Bama game, but one thing they can do is play the pass. The Gamecocks are ranked second in pass defense, giving up only 141 yards per game through the air. In nine games this season they have only given up eight touchdowns via the pass. The Gamecocks are allowing 294.7 yards and 19 points per game, which puts them in the top half of the SEC. If Arkansas has done any homework for this game then they will run the ball, if they try to pass they may make it difficult for themselves.

Along with the need for a strong defensive showing by the Gamecocks, Carolina must find ways to get the ball to WR Alshon Jeffery. He leads the Gamecocks with 28 catches for 497 yards and five touchdowns, and ranks second in the SEC at 17.8 yards per catch.  USC QB Garcia must get the ball to him somehow. Also, the Gamecocks need its "running back by committee" to have success on the Razorbacks, as this will allow Garcia to find passing lanes.

Carolina needs this game as does the Razorbacks. Bobby Petrino has one win in the SEC this year, and needs another as the SEC basement is not where you want to be. For Spurrier, it is vital that he does not allow the 2009 season to end on a sour note like years past.

With Florida and Clemson still to be played, Arkansas is a must win. Can it be done with strong defense against a great passing attack? Can the gamecocks offense muster up enough points to hold off the offensive machine of Arkansas? Which Arkansas team will show up—the one that should have won versus UF, or the one that played dead versus Ole Miss? 

One thing is for sure, it will be a great SEC game, and all these questions will get answered, but for Carolina the answer they need to see is them responding with a win on the road.

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