South Carolina-Vanderbilt: Five Keys to a Gamecocks Victory

Carolina fans have a truly sour taste in their mouths after the disappointing loss to an under-appreciated Kentucky team. Thank goodness Vandy is up next.

But wait...Vandy has won two of the last three against the Gamecocks...and they beat Ole Miss...a team that beat Kentucky....

Such is life in college football—especially in conference games. 

The advantage chart reveals a pretty one-sided advantage.

Position	South Carolina Advantage	Even	Vanderbilt Advantage
Quarterback	X
Running Backs/Fullbacks	X
Wide Receivers	X
Offensive Line	X
Defensive Line	X
Linebackers	X
Defensive Backs	X
Special Teams	X
Coaching	X

The last time I made a chart so one-sided, Carolina lost (Kentucky). Hopefully the talent level on both sides of the ball will be evident early, as South Carolina desperately needs this win.

Here are the keys to a Carolina victory.

1. Start strong and stay strong.

Last week, South Carolina started super strong, going up 28-10. Then, in the second half, a collapse occurred (of epic proportions). The running game disappeared, and so did the offense.

Kenny Miles will start in place of Marcus Lattimore (who is injured) and should be fed the ball. He is a good, underrated back. Brian Maddox will still see carries as a running back because he does a nice job as a backup. He proved last week that he can't carry the ball as a featured back though.

2. Find rhythm without Lattimore.

As previously stated, Miles is a very good running back. The offense should be able to maintain its rhythm without much of a hitch.

However, that wasn't the case last week. South Carolina must maintain offensive possessions without the use of its superstar running back.

Miles can carry the load for this team. Stephen Garcia and Alshon Jeffery are still as potent a combo as any in college football. No reason to panic with no Latti.

3. Keep Commodore quarterback Larry Smith passing.

If South Carolina continues to struggle on defense like they have been, they can get burned by a decent dual-threat QB. Smith isn't Cam Newton, but he can pose problems with his legs.

If South Carolina can somehow shore up the pass defense and contain the quick scrambling, they should roll.

4. Please...for God's sake...more man to man coverage!

This is a key for the REMAINDER of the year. No more zone! It hasn't worked. South Carolina has some of the country's most physical and talented corners...and they look like chumps because they aren't doing what they do best.

Playing the man off the ball. Chris Culliver and Stephon Gilmore can run with any wide receiver. The zone has allowed opposing teams to rip them to shreds. Time for a change, coach Ellis Johnson.

5.  Get the "crowd" out of it early.

South Carolina hasn't won an SEC road game in two years. That is ridiculous. Vanderbilt fans are not known for their "rowdy" behavior. However, if South Carolina wins this game, it will end a terrible streak and hopefully get a huge monkey off the team's back.

South Carolina wins this one, 28-10.