|
|
 |
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE | |
Gators can't overlook Gamecocks
Updated: Friday November 09, 2001 12:22 AM
CNN/Sports Illustrated's college football analyst breaks down Saturday's Florida-South Carolina game, as well as sharing some other picks. Background: When I talked to Florida defensive coordinator Jon Hoke this week, the first thing I said was, "People are making this into a big game, but this game isn't even going to be close, right?" His response was, "Whoa ... Trev, on the road, a night game, in the SEC -- it doesn't work like that There isn't an easy game." "But coach," I said, "these guys don't have the athletes you do." "You know what?" he said. "Neither did Auburn." He's right. Sometimes, when you've got great athletes like Florida, you've got to find a way to get them motivated, like their backs are against the wall. If Florida ends up running the table, beating South Carolina, Florida State, Tennessee and the SEC West champ, they may look back at the Auburn loss as the best thing that ever happened to this team. If you know Lou Holtz, you know his record against Top 10 teams is pretty good. But without that loss to Auburn, Florida players might look at a game like this one on paper and say, "They're not going to beat us. Why show up?" Because of what happened at Auburn, it's refocused this team.
When South Carolina has the ball: The Gamecocks just grind out wins. They don't woo you with any special players offensively, they keep it close, hope to hang around and make a play or two at the end. Florida's defense feels like they can stop South Carolina, but they've got to do it and get off field. They've got to have three-and-outs, they can't have these long, sustained drives, because the Florida offense needs opportunities against that defense, which is South Carolina's strength. If they do a good job, and South Carolina only scores 10 points but still has these long drives, that really hurts Florida's offense. South Carolina couldn't be a more balanced team. The Gamecocks run for 181 a game, pass for 189. They show you all those passing formations, show you the spread, but basically it's just another way to run the ball. I really like Phil Petty -- he's a tough, no-frills guy who gets it done. You can beat him up and he still keeps getting up. He's the kind of guy you want leading your football team. The key for Florida is the front four must be dominating. You have to do something to keep them from being so balanced. Early in the game, you may see a real concerted effort to stop Derek Watson, but if Petty comes out and completes passes, then they're in a real bind. They can't let him beat them.
When Florida has the ball: South Carolina runs a 50 front, with three big guys up front and two linebackers, but sometimes the Gamecocks drop as many as eight guys. Sometimes they rush three, sometimes they rush five. Mississippi State runs the same kind of defense and Florida obviously had a lot of success against them, but I wouldn't be surprised if they struggle a little bit. Mississippi State was good practice for them, but these are a different caliber of athletes. I'd have my center just point out where Kalimba Edwards is before each play, let everyone know where he is. He deserves that kind of special attention. They'll put him up on the line, he looks like he's coming around end, but then they'll zone blitz and you could throw right into coverage if you didn't know where he was. The real key is Rex Grossman's ability to read the defense and read it quickly. He's got to be able to figure out what that defense is giving them. Are they rushing five or are they dropping eight? We'll really see just how much he's developed. Now, I'm not saying Florida's wide receivers won't make plays, but what you'll see is South Carolina flooding the zones a lot and trying to confuse the passer. Steve Spurrier can't be so stubborn as to force the pass. When they do that, you've got to give an inside handoff to Earnest Graham. He needs to run for 100 yards. What will happen: If South Carolina wins the game, it will be because Phil Petty throws for 185 yards, Derek Watson runs for 125 and Earnest Graham only gains 25, no matter if Grossman throws for 300. If Florida wins, it will be because Petty had to throw 35 times, tossed two interceptions, Watson ran for 49 yards and Graham ran for 110. It's that simple. Because the game is at South Carolina, at night and Lou Holtz is involved, it's going to be a dadgum good football game. Florida will win the game, partly because the Auburn loss focused them, partly because they have better athletes. But it's going to be a great game.
Other gamesOregon-UCLA: In the past I would have taken UCLA, but because of their injuries, because their offense has let people down, and because Joey Harrington has 22 touchdowns and is only five interceptions and is better than any Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Oregon wins in a close game. Kansas State-Nebraska: This will be closer than you think. Kansas State has a tough, disciplined defense, but the problem is the Wildcats won't be able to score. K-State will hang around for a half, then Nebraska blows them out in the second half. Illinois-Penn State: How good is Zack Mills? Penn State has found an offense -- the problem is, they're running into team that's found a defense. Illinois wins. Auburn-Georgia: These two teams are pretty evenly matched. Georgia has an explosive offense but lacks in defense, while Auburn has a great defense but struggles on offense. I'll take Georgia in a close one. Marshall-Miami of Ohio: This could be the game of the week -- both teams 6-0 in the conference! Because they're at home, I'll take the RedHawks in a big upset that ends Marshall's reign of dominance in the MAC.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
