| South Carolina Gamecocks vs USM Golden Eagles 9/2/10: Mark's Free Pick Against the Spread College Football |
| Written by Mark |
| Wednesday, 25 August 2010 16:51 |
So. Miss at South Carolina 9/2/10
South Carolina and Steve Spurrier look to start the season with a win. NCAA Football 9/2/10Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (0-0) at South Carolina Gamecocks (0-0)Thursday, September 2 2010 7:30 PM ESTThe Line: South Carolina-14South Carolina comes in to a new year following a 2009 that was a tale of two seasons, where they started 5-1 only to crawl to the finish line on a 2-5 mark including getting dominated by Connecticut in the Papa Johns Bowl. Stephen Garcia (2,862 yds, 55%) returns under center to run the offense and the #47 ranked air game from a year ago. He was never a consistent passer, more of an adequate player in terms of results, but with no ground game of note, his arm was the most reliable method of moving the chains. Kenny Miles and Brian Maddox return to lead a running game that was little more than second fiddle in their attack and it showed with a #91 ranking. All in all, offense was not a strength on this team, as they averaged just under 21 points, which landed them in the bottom tier nationally. As mediocre as the offense was, the Gamecocks were the polar opposite defensively with a unit that was ranked #15 in total defense allowing 300 yards per game. Their run defense was on the ordinary side of things, allowing nearly 138 yards per contest, but Gamecocks were hurt by injuries up front which no doubt affected some of their performance. Opponents that go to the air need to be careful going against one of the best secondary’s in the country who should approach their #8 ranking of a year ago. Points were given up grudgingly as South Carolina allowed just over 20 per game. The name of the game for Southern Mississippi in 2009 was offense. Martevious Young stepped in for an injured Austin Davis and gave the team a dependable air game and with the running of Damian Fletcher, the Golden Eagles had themselves both a balanced and effective unit that rolled to 418 yards and 33 points per game. This unit returns WR DeAndre Brown and Davis but overall will feature eight new faces, but whether Tracey Lampley can fill the void on the ground with the departure of Fletcher is a question second only to how four new lineman will perform. The defense gave what the offense took for the most part in 2009. The Golden Eagles were adequate versus the run which in the scope of things meant little, as opponents found moving the ball through the air a much easier route. The #109 pass defense in the nation was riddled for 261 yards per contest which yielded 26 points on average. With nine starters back, the defense should be better by default if nothing else, but pass defense is still a reason for worry. This is an interesting cross conference match up with two teams that might be similar to those that took the field last season. That being the case, the question will be can Southern Mississippi’s new faces on offense move the ball on defensive minded South Carolina and can Garcia throw on the Golden Eagle’s secondary. Tons of points to give and off field distractions for the Gamecocks which makes me look at the points here… Mark’s Pick: Southern Mississippi +14Be Sure To Check Out all of our FREE Week 1 NCAA Football Picks Against The Spread
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