South Carolina VS. LSU Preview
In a rematch of an instant classic from the 2024 season, the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-2, 1-2 SEC) will travel to Baton Rouge to play the LSU Tigers (3-1, 1-1 SEC) in a 7:45 kickoff on the SEC Network. The game last year saw everything you could think of: turnovers, long touchdowns, crushing penalties, and a missed kick to force OT as the clock ran out, and the Tigers got to experience the thrill of victory and the Gamecocks experienced the agony of defeat in a 36-33 showdown. However, that was last year; we’re in a new year with new teams. But two pieces are very much the same, and that is at the Quarterback position, where we have a showdown between the possible top two quarterbacks that could hear their name called first in the next NFL Draft in South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Both of these QBs have had pretty good statistical seasons. For the Gamecocks, Sellers has completed 66.7% of his passes and thrown for 886 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Meanwhile, Nussmeier has completed a little over 67% of his passes for 1,159 yards with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The odds early on say LSU is favored by -9.5 points; however, on Saturday, anything can happen. In this article, we’re gonna deep dive into this game and talk about what South Carolina is gonna need to do to pull off the road upset.
Offense:
Blake Baker's defense is extremely talented, bringing tremendous pressure and forcing turnovers. They have some stars in the front 7 and the secondary guys like LB Whit Weeks, and another potential first-round pick in Harold Perkins. In the 5 games this season, including games against Clemson, Florida, and Ole Miss. The stout Tiger defense has allowed just under 293 total yards per game, 84 of those yards coming on the ground, while also allowing only 12.2 points per game. They have 11 sacks while also forcing 7 interceptions. Statistically, they are nationally a top 15 defense, the best defense South Carolina has faced so far this season, but against Ole Miss in their last game, they had their worst game so far of the season. So, how does South Carolina Attack? Number one is don’t get behind schedule. The Gamecocks have shot themselves in the foot with penalties this year and are getting behind the sticks. The Gamecocks have committed 42 penalties in 5 games, and some of those penalties have been crucial drive killers or drive extenders for the opponent. Stay on schedule in this game, and you give yourself a better chance to win. The other problem for the Gamecocks has been establishing the run. The Gamecocks so far this season have been at the bottom of the SEC in rushing, and in this game, that’s gonna have to change. Whether it’s with LaNorris Sellers or RB Rahsul Faison and Oscar Adaway or some WR jet sweeps, you cannot be one-dimensional against this stout defense. The last key is to protect LaNorris Sellers. He’s been sacked 15 times so far this season, and in this game, you can best believe Blake Baker will try to take advantage with a deafening Tiger Stadium making life difficult for a Gamecock offensive line that has struggled.
Defensively:
Defensively, South Carolina has been solid. They have a star that can beat just about anybody off the edge in Dylan Stewart. He and Brian Thomas Jr. have been great at rushing the passer as they have combined for 6.5 sacks so far this year. At the LB position, Justin Okoronkwo and Fred Johnson have been fantastic as Johnson leads the team with 25 tackles. Clayton Whites defense this season is ranked 44th in total defense, but has been rather opportunistic, forcing 9 turnovers so far this year. In fact, just last game in their win over Kentucky, the defense had 5 takeaways. Two of them were taken back for a Touchdown. This offense for LSU has averaged 27 points per game. The issue for LSU’s offense, like South Carolina’s, has been the run game, as they are ranked 15th in the conference in rushing offense. Part of those struggles is because star RB Caden Durham has been injured, and in their last game against Ole Miss, they had 76 yards on the ground on 22 carries. The Tiger offense has averaged only 3.6 yards per carry all season. However, in this game, there is one uncertainty, and that is Garrett Nussmeier’s health. How healthy is Garrett Nussmeier, and how much will he play Saturday? Brian Kelly has said that the backup QB Michael Van Buren did take the first team reps during the bye week, but Nussmeier will be back to lead them the rest of the season after the bye. Van Buren is a very capable backup. Coming from Mississippi State, he can sling the football and is a dangerous threat with his legs. No matter which QB plays for LSU, the Gamecocks’ defense will need to be sound on every play to win this game.
