Running game must step up for Carolina
I'm going to try and avoid going all things Mic Man following this game. I'm going to try and avoid throwing down my proverbial tuxedo jacket, helmet and cane. I'm especially going to avoid punching Cocky. I'm not saying he did it, I'm just saying that he looked like he was fighting the urge.
However, there are some serious questions the Gamecocks need to answer following their 24-17 loss to LSU on Saturday night.
Those questions and my answers follow, in no particular order.
Q: What is it going to take to get a run game going at Carolina?
A: Apparently, it is impossible. USC's running backs are led by two seniors, Mike Davis and Bobby Wallace. Not to mention two supposedly, unbelievably talented young runners in Brian Maddox and Eric Baker. In each of these backs USC coach Steve Spurrier has different capabilities. Maddox and Davis are power backs who can run between the tackles, Wallace is the scat back that can make players miss and Baker is the pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
Even with all of that, the Gamecocks have yet to find a way to use their backs effectively. Assuredly there is some blame to place on the offensive line. However, a lot of blame falls on the shoulders of the coaches and the running backs themselves. Perhaps it's a question of whether or not the coaches have found a proper way to use their personnel. Perhaps it's a question of whether or not the backs are hitting the right holes, working hard enough in practice or studying their opposition enough.
Whatever the true problem is, one thing is sure: With as sluggish a run game as the Gamecocks have had thus far, USC will be about as competitive in the SEC as Mark Mangino would be on "Dancing with the Stars."
Q: Is the offensive line really, actually that bad?
A: Yes. There really isn't any way around this question. The feared LSU front had managed just nine total sacks this season and Carolina gave up six.
Go ahead, take your time and reread that sentence.
No, I am not lying. No one can argue against the fact that LSU has a ton of talent. However, there is a good chance that they're the most overrated defensive line in the nation. Not only did Florida rack up an unbelievable amount of rush yards against the Tigers but the only team in the SEC with fewer sacks than LSU before Saturday's game was Arkansas.
However, Carolina could not protect redshirt freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia even against the second most inept pass rush in the conference.
This problem is easily traced to one spot: offensive line coach John Hunt. Either Hunt is not able to coach a line or recruits are not attracted to him. Either way, Hunt has not gotten the job done at USC since he arrived with coach Steve Spurrier in 2005. Before this game, the poor offensive line play was just a concern in winning or losing football games. Now, the health of Garcia is in question as well. Hunt and the line need to shape up both in the run game and pass blocking or else Garcia is going to pay dearly for it.
Q: Will Carolina ever be competitive in the SEC?
A: Yes. If you look at how deep the Gamecocks took the second best team in the SEC West with essentially no run game and weak pass blocking, then you can be nothing less than encouraged. If USC can compete with this team, imagine where it will be once it manages to get everyone on the same page.
