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As Arkansas rebuilds, USC gets an easy W
COLUMBIA — As Steve Spurrier so eloquently put it Thursday, South Carolina "kind of pooped out" at the end of the 2007 season.
The first such deflating moment, really, came on a November evening in the Ozark Mountains. You might remember it as the night when Arkansas' Darren McFadden almost won the Heisman.
McFadden's 321-yard rushing performance sent him to New York. And the Gamecocks tailspinning toward their five straight losses.
The best news? McFadden is gone.
And so is Felix Jones, who was over 100 yards in the first half last year. And so is fullback Peyton Hillis, who was dangerous as a runner, receiver and blocker.
And so is coach Houston Nutt, who moved on to Mississippi after essentially being run out of town.
Things will be different with Bobby Petrino running things, that's for sure. And it'll probably work out in the long run for the Razorbacks. But not in 2008.
There's just too much to replace on the offensive side of the ball.
The breakdown
Arkansas offense vs. South Carolina defense
With the spring game as the only (sort of) evidence so far, we're told quarterback Casey Dick is a new man. He threw for 404 yards and a couple of scores in the scrimmage — stats that USC's quarterback suitors would've certainly lined up for.
That had to make Hogs fans feel better about losing the most talented backfield in school history. But, eh, only so much better.
C'mon, McFadden and Jones rushed for very close to 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns — last season.
But, as you know, Petrino is a pass-oriented coach, so he'll be able to tailor the personnel to his system. But in time.
Dick, hanging in there until transfer Ryan Mallett is eligible, will have to break in some new receivers, seeing as how the top returning pass-catcher had 12 receptions last year. (Hillis actually led the team with 49.)
The unknowns will not be settled even by November. Arkansas will struggle on the road at hostile Williams-Brice Stadium.
This will be a chance for USC's defense to make amends for allowing an absurd 651 total yards.
South Carolina offense vs. Arkansas defense
The losses weren't as punishing, but the Razorbacks still have questions on the defensive side of the ball.
They have no proven entities at linebacker. It might be USC that finds running room this year — OK, well, maybe not 542 yards' worth.
Arkansas' defense will wind up being better than most think, just because the Hogs return the bulk of their defensive line and secondary.
They're banged up at corner entering the fall, but that won't be the case late in the season. Dallas Washington will be a star at safety.
Lost in what happened last year in Fayetteville is that it might have been one of USC's best offensive games of the season.
The Gamecocks scored 36 points and got 364 passing yards from Blake Mitchell.
With that in mind, Steve Spurrier's offense should — key word being should — be more situated by this year's Arkansas game.
Smelley will be efficient in the victory, managing the game and not making big mistakes.
The crystal ball
For the second straight week, the defense gets the job done. But, let's face it, it's a much simpler task this time than Tennessee.
Arkansas won't present much of a challenge in Petrino's first year. But it will soon. South Carolina had better enjoy playing the Razorbacks before he gets his system and personnel in place.
The victory gives USC eight regular season wins for the first time in Spurrier's tenure, moving the Gamecocks to 8-2 and 5-2 in the SEC.
Good luck getting to No. 9. Road battles at Florida and Clemson — both likely to be top 10 teams, even in late November — await.
Prediction
USC 31, Arkansas 13
Past predictions
USC 18, N.C. State 10
USC 23, Vanderbilt 9
Georgia 27, USC 17
USC 37, Wofford 14
USC 41, UAB 10
USC 31, Ole Miss 27
USC 31, Kentucky 17
LSU 27, USC 23
USC 24, Tennessee 13
Saturday
South Carolina at Florida
Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the new South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks/>
Posted by JAMJOH on July 18, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like these predictions, but yeah I agree with bert, no way these teams are going to have just two losses this far into the season. Clemson maybe less, carolina maybe more, but you never know.
Posted by lou9 on July 18, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This reporter is saying that both Clemson and USC will be 8-2. Sounds like he is giving them both the kiss of death.
USC 24, Tennessee 13? Now I know he's nuts, considering how Carolina usually does against teams with orange in their uniforms.
Posted by JAMJOH on July 18, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you serious? Last year usc lost by 3 to ut and lost by 2 to clemson. I wouldn't exactly call either game a blowout. Yeah a wins a win, but tennessee is slowly climbing down the poll in the sec east. There behind everyone in the sec in recruitment except ark, miss st, kentucky, and vandy.
Posted by charleston_grown on July 18, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jamjoh, it isn't about how close you are in football. close doesn't win you games or championships. Both fanbases should be very aware of that fact.
but hey, look on the brightside, Beecher is going to be your starting QB. =)
Posted by lowcountrydawg on July 18, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
......and that's why we play the games.......
Posted by PugnaciousPig on July 18, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Arkansas won't present much of a challenge in Petrino's first year."
While I would agree that this will likely be the least challenging Petrino coached team the Gamecocks may ever face ... any report on Arkansas' 2008 team that fails to mention its acknowledged strength (ask the coaches) - the offensive line ... fails in informing the reader. (See Jonathon Luigs - All American defending Rimington Trophy winner.)
However, the bulletin board value of the article is priceless and greatly appreciated.
GHG!
Posted by fjms on July 18, 2008 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Tigers! State Champs (again!) and hopefully B.C.S. Champs soon!!
Posted by tf29301 on July 18, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Clemson...........BCS Champs????? no way a team from the ACC will play for a national title. I did not go to either school (USC or Clemson) but, it is interesting to see how a team that is 1-4 against the SEC the prior two seasons (and the win was a last second score against an injury depleted SC team) all of the sudden is mentioned as joining the nations' elite. Clemson is not on the same planet as UGA, Southern Cal, Ohio State and others. At best, Clemson would finish 3rd in the SEC East or SEC West, most likely lower.
The ACC is the WAC of the east and no team that plays a schedule like Clemson will play this year deserves to play for a national title. If UGA only wins 10 games, they are more deserving of playing for the title than an undefeated ACC team.
Posted by fjms on July 18, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all, uga lost to the shamecocks last year so no way are they deserving of being a national contender. We play two of our four no conference games against the sec so come on. By the way, since 1980 the A.C.C. has one four titles and the sec has one six. The last few years we have had more players drafted in the first round then any other conference.
Posted by fjms on July 18, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For the record I am drunk and mean won four titles!! Fire Fly Vodka will due it to you!