Five predictions for the South Carolina/Charlotte game
As South Carolina football looks to get back on the right track against Charlotte on Saturday night, GamecockCentral.com staffers take a stab at how the game against the 49ers may play out inside Williams-Brice Stadium.
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CHRIS CLARK: There’s no other way to put it: Charlotte’s defense has struggled a good bit this season.
The 49ers’ “best” defensive performance came in the last game against Georgia State, a contest in which it surrendered 41 points. Maryland scored 56. Florida Atlantic put up 43 in the season opener, and William and Mary also scored 41.
The point should be evident: there should be and will be plenty of opportunities for South Carolina football to make plays on offense against the 49ers.
Watching Charlotte’s previous games this season, the team struggled in a variety of ways. One would think Carolina can have by far its best day running the football, but I think the Gamecocks match up even better in the secondary. Spencer Rattler, the receiving corps, and the Gamecock offensive staff can take advantage.
I believe the team will; my prediction is that the team eclipses the 500 yards of total offense marker and that Spencer Rattler does not throw an interception.
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WES MITCHELL: MarShawn Lloyd will have his first career 100-yard game
Most of the eyeballs are on the South Carolina passing game this week against a Charlotte defense that has really struggled this year. But all of those passing opportunities should open up the possibility of some big plays in the running game. Lloyd has been this close to popping the long one in his career so far. I think he hits it this week and that helps push him over 100 yards for the first time.
WIN! Framed picture of Williams-Brice Stadium signed by George Rogers
KENDALL SMITH: South Carolina will regain some offensive confidence this week, and for the first time all season, we will see what this offense is supposed to look like. Charlotte’s defense has struggled all year, expect the run game to get going, and some successful explosive plays off the top for the Gamecocks.
COLLYN TAYLOR: I think South Carolina offensively runs the ball like the Gamecocks were expecting to at times this year. That doesn’t mean they’ll rush 40 times for 250 yards because the Gamecocks want to air the ball out. But I can see South Carolina averaging five yards per carry and snagging its first 100-yard rusher of the season.
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MIKE UVA: Despite the Gamecocks ranking eighth to last in the nation in rush offense, South Carolina will run for over 200 yards on Saturday. Coming off a season-high 92 yards rushing last week against Georgia, USC will build off of that and take advantage of a weak Charlotte defense who ranks third to last in FBS in rush defense. The Niners are allowing over 240 yards rushing per game.
