From: Cole
It is gonna be a chilly one at Williams Brice tomorrow evening, with temperatures expected to be in the 30s for the majority of the second half. While this could cool the enthusiasm from the warm blooded gamecock fans, a shootout and a chance for a share of the school's first SEC East crown will hopefully energize the masses. With a win, the university will secure a share of the title no matter the outcome of the Florida. A loss to the Gators would result in Florida going to Atlanta, but there would be a trophy in the case in Columbia. Make no mistake, this is a huge game! The team has to want it, but the fans need to want it as well. Stay loud!
All indications are that the game will be a shootout. The Hogs averaged 538 yards offensive over their last three games, all against good competition. To slow the Petrino led offense the gamecocks must control the time of possession. Some ways to do this are: 1) A heavy dose of Marcus Lattimore. Controlling the ball on methodical drives that result in touchdowns, not field goals. 2) Keeping the energy level high to eliminate momentum swings and quick possessions that result in a punt. All offenses undergo a period during a game in which the drive stalls. To prevent several of them occurring in a row, the staff may go to the Gilmore package or insert the two minute offense for a series. 3) Intercepting Ryan Mallett. While Devin Taylor's pick six was a welcome change of pace last week, our secondary's cup of turnovers is as empty as the cheering section at the extend Dabo's contract rally. Have they intercepted a pass since Gilmore's against Furman? Ryan Mallett, not Cam Newton is number one in the conference in individual total offense. He has thrown 7 interceptions to 18 TDs on the season. Someone in the secondary needs to have the game of his life!
4) Keep up the heat! When I saw this stat, I almost had the big one. The gamecock D leads the SEC and is 2nd in the nation with 30 sacks. Yes, I said thirty. Devin Taylor has 6.5, Melvin Ingram 6.0, and Cliff Matthews 3.5 on the year. Wow, when was the last time you could say that? Keeping the Hog offense in 3rd and long with pressure may compel the strong armed Mallett to force a throw. The question is...Can we pick it?
Notes on Arkansas:
-New #1 WR, Joe Adams, leads the SEC and is fourth in the nation with 18.1 yards per catch. He will be a little hobbled with an ankle injury.
-The Hog D is second in the conference in averaging 3.0 sacks per game. DE Jake Bequette leads the team with 5.0 on the season.
-TE DJ Williams is the NCAA active leader in receptions by a TE. We cannot lose him in the middle of the field like we did with Luke Stocker last week, especially in the red zone.
-The Hogs do not have a rusher in the top 10 in the conference. While ranking second in the conference in total offense, they are 11th in rushing at 127 yards per game.
-The SEC's number one passing offense goes against the worst passing defense. Ouch!
Go Cocks! There it is! Take it!
