Auburn-South Carolina: SEC Showdown Will Go Down To Cam Newton, Stephen Garcia

Make no mistake, college football fans.  The battle on the Plains carries as much weight as the showdown in Fayetteville.  The way it will be won however, is completely different than most will say it will be won this weekend. 

Auburn Offense vs. South Carolina Defense

Here is where the real fun will be Saturday.  Auburn's plethora of running options vs. the best statistical rush defense in the SEC.  Stats is where the the misleading information starts.  The Gamecock's best opponent so far has been Georgia, and Georgia sits looking up at Vanderbilt in the SEC East right now.

Am I saying that South Carolina's defensive line isn't as good as they seem?  Of course not.  Defensive end Devin Taylor leads the line in tackles and sacks.  He will be a force on the end, especially with Right tackle Josh Sullen lining up against him for the injured A.J. Greene.

Linebackers Josh Dickerson and Tony Straughter have shown good discipline to locating the ball, but they will be tested with Auburn's misdirection schemes.  If they bite hard on pre-snap movement, expect Auburn running back Michael Dyer and company to make them look like they have lead in Dickerson's and Straughter's shoes.  The addition of Cameron Newton adds another wrinkle they haven't seen so far this season.

If there is a weakness to South Carolina, it is in the passing defense.  They are just above Auburn in pass defense in the conference (10th and 11th respectively).  If the defense can put pressure on Newton, the turnovers will be there for the taking. 

However, the secondary, led by Devonte Holloman and Chris Culliver, will have their hands full with the one-two receiver punch in Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery. 

South Carolina Offense vs. Auburn Defense

This isn't your grandfather's Spurrier team.  The Gamecocks have a running game now, thanks to freshman phenom Marcus Lattimore.  There was a reason Auburn also was gunning hard for Lattimore during recruiting.  He is the reason South Carolina has a good chance on offense this season.

Quarterback Stephen Garcia has benefited from Lattimore's presence.  He is able to run off the play action well to hit his targets down field.  However, the big knock on Garcia is that when there is pressure applied, he becomes erratic. 

This will be the test for the Gamecock offensive line.  Defensive end Antoine Carter and defensive tackle Nick Fairley are a big one-two punch in pass rush.  In entirety, the Auburn defensive line has been very successful in pressuring the quarterback in all three games.

If that wasn't enough, linebacker Josh Bynes, who leads the team in tackles, is back to his old ways from last season.  Bynes will be a key in containing Lattimore and the inevitable screen passes that will come the Tigers way during the game. 

Like Carolina, the pass defense has been suspect, mainly due to the short screen passes that have filtered through Auburn's defenses.  Alshon Jeffery is Garcia's favorite target for wide outs, but only look for him if the screen game doesn't come to pass. 

Versus Clemson, it looked like Auburn's secondary, led by Zac Etheredge and Aaron Savage, finally started to come together, though the problem is keeping containment on the screen passes.

Special Teams

Both these squads have solid special teams units.  Auburn has had an issue with dropped punts versus Mississippi State, but that seemed corrected against Clemson.  Gilmore and Culliver have been dependable on returns for Carolina, while as Auburn with Quindarius Carr and Demond Washington has had field position flipped due to their returns.

Spencer Lanning has handled place kicking and punting duties, and has done rather well.  Wes Byrum for Auburn has proved clutch again this season, nailing what was the eventual game winner against both Mississippi State and Clemson.

Final Analysis

Regardless if the running games get going or not, the passing game for both teams will determine the difference in the ball game.  The key match up will be the team's respective offensive lines versus the defensive lines. 

If Auburn's offensive line holds up against South Carolina's defense, this one could get ugly quick with Auburn's quick strike ability.  If South Carolina can make Auburn's defense look like Swiss cheese like they did against Georgia, then it'll be a long night on the Plains.

This one will be close as many are predicting, but not for the reasons others have said.  It will boil down to Newton vs. Garcia for offense.  Newton has the ability to execute the play, whether with his feet or his arm, under pressure.  Garcia cannot. 

Get your heart medication and leave your weak stomachs at the door.  Auburn wins in thrilling fashion again.

Auburn 28, South Carolina 20