South Carolina vs. Mississippi State: 5 Half Time Adjustments for the Gamecocks

The Gamecocks just can't seem to get it right on offense in the first half.

Other than a 13-play scoring drive at the end of the first quarter, Connor Shaw and company have been shooting themselves in the foot all day. 

Luckily the South Carolina defense has kept them in the game with another stellar performance headlined by Jadeveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram.  

Unless Ingram can find a way to score his fourth touchdown of the year, the Gamecocks offense will have to get it going if they want to escape Starkville with a W.

Play Calling:

The Ole Ball Coach needs somebody to remind him that Marcus Lattimore is the best player on his team.  

But, instead of feeding his only Heisman trophy candidate the rock on a consistent basis, Spurrier has called a steady diet of bubble screens and pass plays.

The Visor needs to get Marcus the ball early and often in the second half. It maybe boring, but it's effective. And with that loss to Auburn blaring in the BCS system's computations, the Gamecocks can't afford to lose another game.

Get Alshon Jeffery Going:

Spurrier did his best to get Jeffery touches in the first half, but the bubble screens and deep balls are not working against the Mississippi State defense, which has shown impressive discipline.

Shaw needs to get his best receiver a few catches over the middle of the field where Jeffery can put his considerable athleticism to good use, and hopefully get him back on the right track. 

Execute:

Dropped balls, untimely penalties and questionable decision making have plagued the Gamecocks’ 2011 season, and it’s been no different this week. 

So far, Jeffery has dropped a deep ball on a crucial 3rd and 6, Marcus Lattimore has been stuffed on 3rd and 1, and Shaw has been ineffective at best under center. That's going to have to change. And fast.

Give the Defense a Rest:

The Gamecocks D is good—however, they are not invincible. If the young USC D is going to have anything left for the second half, the offense is going to need to give them some respite.

Light a Fire:

Shaw and Jeffery just missed on a few deep balls in the first half. If they can connect once or twice in the second half, the Gamecocks can silence the Mississippi State crowd and maybe sneak out of Starkville with a badly-needed win.