Auburn-South Carolina: College Football Zoom-In Game of the Week
Game Time: 7:45 PM
Channel: ESPN
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn, Alabama)
There are a few great matchups pitting Top 25 foes against each other this weekend. We’ve got No. 1 Alabama traveling to No. 10 Arkansas, No. 22 West Virginia traveling to No. 15 LSU and No. 24 Oregon State traveling to No. 3 Boise State. But in my eyes, the most interesting game of the weekend is the SEC showdown between the No. 12 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks and the No. 17 ranked Auburn Tigers.
This game is shaping up to be an all out slugfest. So, here's a look at the key information you need to know and the storylines you should keep an eye on as we get ready for kickoff.
Spotlight Player: Auburn QB Cam Newton
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The key player who will undoubtedly have the biggest effect on the outcome of this contest is Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton.
Newton is a 6‘6", 250 lb. junior who has only started three games for the Tigers after transferring from Blinn junior college this spring.
The one time superstar recruit out of Georgia’s Westlake High School, who played his first season of college ball for Urban Meyer at Florida, has so far looked like a terrific fit as the leader of Gus Malzahn’s offense.
Newton is one of the best pure athletes in college football, and his running ability can overwhelm even the toughest of defenses.
Cam is a true difference maker at the quarterback position. At this point, his legs have been his main weapon, as he’s averaged over 100 rushing yards per game, but expect his big arm to be on display in this one.
If Newton, who ranks second in the SEC with a 187 passer rating, gets into the groove throwing the ball, it could be a long night for the South Carolina defense.
Both Teams Looking to Contend
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Both these teams have set goals of winning their respective divisions this season—Auburn in the West and South Carolina in the East. And this game could definitely serve as a springboard and momentum boost for the rest of the season.
The two squads share equally tough SEC slates that they will have to navigate through this year, and a victory in this one could go a long way towards carrying them through the treacherous waters of conference play.
We know that both these teams are talented squads with the potential to do great things, but neither has shown if they are truly “for real” yet.
This is the definition of a statement game.
Marcus Lattimore Vs. Michael Dyer
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One interesting subplot to keep an eye on will be the performances of the game’s two star freshman running backs—South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore and Auburn’s Michael Dyer.
Lattimore and Dyer were the two top running back prospects of the 2010 college football recruiting class and both could be future SEC superstars.
The 6‘0", 215 lb. Lattimore has added a new dimension to the South Carolina offense with his tremendous power running. The freshman has been the workhorse of the early part of the season, rushing for 333 yards on 70 carries, including a 37-carry, 182-yard performance in a Week 2 win over Georgia.
Lattimore’s five rushing touchdowns are currently tied for the lead in the SEC.
The 5‘9", 215 lb. Dyer has had to share a crowded backfield and split carries with Cam Newton, Mario Fannin, and Onterio McCalebb, so he hasn’t gotten the same chance to shine as Lattimore. But every time his number’s been called, he’s made an impact.
The Arkansas native has used his balance and vision to rush for over 200 yards on 39 carries in Auburn’s first three games.
The two young players should be factors in this one, but it will be interesting to see how effective they can truly be as they both will be going up against formidable opposing defenses.
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Steve Spurrier’s Quick Trigger
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South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier has been notoriously impatient with his quarterbacks dating all the way back to his days coaching at Florida.
During spring practice, Spurrier heavily criticized starting signal caller Stephen Garcia, who has had a reputation of being a lackadaisical leader during his time in Colombia. There are some who believe the coach prefers freshman quarterback Connor Shaw to lead the offense.
The junior has looked pretty solid in his first three outings, but it will be interesting to see how long Garcia's leash is if he struggles early on in the game.
History
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These two teams don’t traditionally meet that often, which is something that makes this game all the more special.
The Auburn Tigers currently hold a 6-1-1 advantage in the series, with the last meeting coming back in 2006 when Tommy Tuberville’s Tigers edged out Spurrier’s South Carolina team 24-17.
South Carolina Offense vs. Auburn Defense
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The Gamecocks will probably look to lean on running back Marcus Lattimore early on in this one to try and settle things down in a hostile environment. Though it won’t be easy for Lattimore to find running room with Auburn’s two big defensive tackles Zach Clayton and Nick Fairley clogging up the middle.
Fairley is the lineman that South Carolina’s offensive line has to keep in check throughout the night. The 6‘5", 315 lb. junior is big, strong, powerful, and surprisingly nimble for his size. Fairley is the type of tackle that can not only penetrate and disrupt the flow of an offense, he can also eat up blockers and free up other defenders to make plays.
There’s nobody on Auburn’s defense quite as adept at making plays as linebacker Josh Bynes. The 6‘2", 235 lb. senior led the Tigers with over 100 tackles last season and is on pace to repeat that feat this year.
It would be in Spurrier's best interest to mix in some play action passes to try and keep Bynes and fellow linebackers Darren Bates and Eltoro Freeman on their toes and guessing throughout the game.
When the Gamecocks do go to the air, they have a trio of sizable targets in the 6‘4" Alshon Jeffery, the 6‘5" Tori Gurley, and the 6‘4" DL Moore to throw to.
Jeffery is the best of the bunch, but it’s likely that talented 6‘2" cornerback Neiko Thorpe can keep him contained for the better part of the night.
The real disadvantage for Auburn is trying to put the 5‘9" Demond Washington on Gurley. Look for South Carolina to try to exploit that match up, especially when they’re down in the red zone.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see Coach Spurrier throw in a wild trick play at an opportune time to try and catch the Auburn defense napping.
South Carolina Offensive Lineup
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Quarterback: Stephen Garcia (5)
Running Back: Marcus Lattimore (21)
Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffery (1)
Wide Receiver: Tori Gurlery (81)
Wide Receiver: D.L. Moore (82)
Tight End: Patrick DiMarco (47)
Left Tackle: Jarriel King (76)
Left Guard: Garrett Chisolm (77)
Center: T.J. Johnson (55)
Right Guard: Rokevious Watkins (73)
Right Tackle: Kyle Nunn (68)
Auburn Defensive Lineup
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Defensive Tackle: Zach Clayton (98)
Defensive Tackle: Nick Fairley (90)
Defensive End: Michael Goggans (49)
Defensive End: Antoine Carter (45)
Outside Linebacker: Darren Bates (25)
Middle Linebacker: Josh Bynes (17)
Outside Linebacker: Eltoro Freeman (21)
Cornerback: Demond Washington (14)
Cornerback: Neiko Thorpe (15)
Free Safety: Airon Savage (2)
Strong Safety: Zac Etheridge (4)
Auburn Offense vs. South Carolina Defense
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Auburn’s offensive success begins and ends with quarterback Cam Newton. The junior signal caller is a versatile dual threat that can beat a defense with his arm or his legs, but it’s running ability that is of real worry to defensive coordinators.
Newton has carried the ball at least 15 times in every one of Auburn’s games, and he’s been very successful at picking up yardage when he’s on the move.
The biggest key for the South Carolina defense is trying to contain him by forcing Newton to stay inside the pocket on passing plays and not letting him break into the second level of the defense on designed runs.
Defensive ends Cliff Matthews and Devin Taylor are important pieces to the containment puzzle. Both are solid pass rushers who have the ability to disrupt and cause havoc for opposing quarterbacks.
Auburn has a three-headed monster at running back with Onterio McCalebb, Mario Fannin, and Michael Dyer.
McCalebb and Dyer have received the majority of the carries so far in the season, and that pattern is likely to continue in this one as Fannin heals up from a shoulder injury.
It could be difficult for either of the runners to find much consistent success against an imposing South Carolina defense that has been one of the nation’s best at stopping the run thus far.
When Auburn looks to air it out, the first option will be wide receiver Darvin Adams. The 6‘3" junior had a breakout sophomore campaign last season and was unable to be contained by Clemson’s secondary last weekend.
South Carolina’s best defensive player, sophomore cornerback Stephon Gilmore, will likely be given the task of shutting down Adams.
The Gamecocks have some future NFL talent in the secondary with guys like Gilmore and fellow corner Chris Culliver, which makes it surprising to see that they rank last in the SEC in total pass defense.
A real advantage for Auburn is their offensive line led by seniors Ryan Pugh and Lee Ziemba. It’s important that the front five control the line of scrimmage and keep Cam Newton upright in order to move the ball with consistency against a stout South Carolina front seven.
Auburn Offensive Lineup
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Quarterback: Cam Newton (2)
Running Back: Mario Fannin (27)
Wide Receiver: Darvin Adams (89)
Wide Receiver: Terrell Zachery (81)
Wide Receiver: Eric Smith (32)
Tight End: Phillip Lutzenkirchen (43)
Left Tackle: Lee Ziemba (73)
Left Guard: Mike Berry (66)
Center: Ryan Pugh (50)
Right Guard: Byron Isom (57)
Right Tackle: John Sullen (71)
South Carolina Defensive Lineup
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Defensive Tackle: Ladi Ajiboye (91)
Defensive Tackle: Travian Robertson (42)
Defensive End: Cliff Matthews (83)
Defensive End: Devin Taylor (98)
Linebacker: Josh Dickerson (41)
Linebacker: Tony Straughter (44)
Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore (5)
Cornerback: Chris Culliver (17)
Spur: Antonio Allen (26)
Free Safety: DeVonte Holloman (21)
Strong Safety: Akeem Auguste (3)
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