<Posted with the expectations Potted Plant will have something to say about this...> :lol: To me, especially coming from living in the state of South Carolina, this game should be, and I fully expect it will be, a blow out. It's been said on this very forum by you guys that Georgia seems to be an average team this year. Spurrier himself said something to the same effect; basically, they aren't world beaters. 38-3, that's deceptive. Since before week one, a area their offense has been pointed to repeatedly, specifically their QB, as inconsistent. As example, yesterday, with less than two minutes expired in the first quarter, interception on a pass thrown by Blake Mitchell. Understand, it wasn't due to a spectacular play by one of SC State's DB's. Heck, he was basically standing there. That was the first of 6 turn-over's. (It was interesting reading the review on their official athletic site. "The numbers looked impressive). Those turnovers, 4 by Mitchell (3 INT's and a fumble) even look worse when you consider the other two are from the backup QB. (1 INT and a fumble). "It got so bad Coach Steve Spurrier decided to run the ball most of the second half." (USC Official Ath. Web-site) They did have some bright spots about this game. * Two backs that both rushed over 100 yards. * Two games, back to back, their defense hasn't allowed a TD. * 3-0 for the 1st time in 6 years. Big win for the Tigers. I'd imagine, just like last night, the game will still be in progress and there will be threads on this forum looking ahead to next weeks opponents, or, like last night, members paying more attention to other games around the country.
Spurrier better bring his bag of tricks if he wants to score some points on this defense. USC scored all of 16 points at Georgia and 28 against mighty USL. It's Spurrier, so I won't dismiss USC. But he better bring his A game and the Carolina Panthers with him to Tiger Stadium.:hihi:
I have been a booster of Blake Mitchell, but I pride myself on my willingness to alter my opinions in the face of increasing evidence. Mitchell probably has to play the game of his life to give USC a chance against us, and he hasn't exactly been a world-beater this year. Big win against Georgia notwithstanding, his contribution to that win consisted of not losing it for them. But I suppose you can say he out-dueled Matt Stafford, who was certainly worse in that game. I haven't seen much of South Carolina yet, but I have to say that the stats on Blake Mitchell aren't good at all so far. You expect that against Georgia. You don't expect that against SC State. His GeauxTuscaloosa Quarterback Productivity Index (which is a rate stat, with no consideration of statistical accumulation) is sitting at 4.43 yards per play, which puts him ahead of only Brandon Cox and Michael Henig. his GTQBPI last year was 8.26, which was good for 3rd in the league behind JR and Tim Tebow (who I usually don't count because of his limited stats). For all the criticism he endured, Mitchell was a pretty effective QB in the role he played last year. In the face of all that criticism, I always responded that whatever his problems may be, he still managed to overcome them and account for 8 1/4 yards per play. This year, it's less than 4 1/2 yards per play. This year, he's not doing it, obviously. And it's not going to get easier for him. We have absolutely creamed pocket passers this year. The only QBs who have had success against us are the ones who can do it with their feet. Blake Mitchell is not among that category of quarterback. Beecher has positive rushing statistics. Maybe USC can start him against us? I don't know where the blame lies. You have a QB who has proven to be able to have success, yet he is not doing it now. Maybe he's overly sensitive to all the criticism and it's affecting him. Maybe Spurrier isn't treating him in the way that would get the most out of him. I don't know.
Is Beecher his backup? Based on previous events we are almost guaranteed to see him even if he doesn't start.
Ccks strong points will be the running game; Coryd Boyd is a NFL 1st round back; good speed and power; can catch the ball well out of the backfield. Same for Mike Davis though not as much of a power runner. Kicking game with Succop is very good; great field goal kicker and punter. QB play is up in the air; some times Mitchell looks like a NFL QB and some times I am not sure he is aware he is on the field. We have two backups in Beecher and Smelly, however Smelly has been hurt and not sure if he can play or not and Beecher has had limited playing time and is a RS freshman. D finally has some good speed and some depth; WR are young and unproven except on in Kenny McKinnley who is a good receiver. Hoping for a good game......
I kind of expected that the Cocks would become full of themselves after Georgia didn't execute well on offense. The only thing that LSU really has to be concerned about next Saturday is having an, "off game," where the players don't execute on offense very well. And with Auburn and Arkansas reeling, LSU's biggest challenge might be to not get too complacent about winning the West. It is starting to look like the LSU - Florida game might end up being the REAL meeting of the 2 best teams in the country.
Honestly, I think it comes down to Holtz and his ability to evaluate talent. Yep. 1 INT and a fumble last night. I like Cory, good back. But, 1st round? McFadden, yes. He's a Jr.. Ellis (OM) would go higher than Boyd as well, I suspect. He's not in the top 10 in the SEC right now, 49th around the NCAA. Heck, I don't even know how many of those are Jr.'s and Sr's and which Jr's will come out early. It's early in the season, but it doesn't get any easier from here on out, that is for sure.
I don't know if they are reeling as of yet. They definitely played a good game last night. I do wonder how they'll look next week. Their secondary is suspect, at best, and they face UK next week. Who, I might add, is living up to what we suspected...a great passing attack. Heck, their RB, Little, is having a good season as well.
At least all the questions will get answered on the field; as I look at the 1st couple of weeks several things are jumping out at me LSU beats Miss ST and Va Tech; Miss State is horrible on offense and I think we have seen now that VA tech is not the usual Tech that Beamer puts out. That being said, I dont think LSU has had any real test. Moving to the Cocks One thing can normally be said for the Cocks; they will play up or down to the level of competition that they play. Beat La Tech; give up huge amounts of rushing yardage; stops them when they need to. Dawgs; Beat them but now after seeing the Dawgs win against OK St and how Ok St got thumped by Troy, I am wondering how good are the Dawgs this year. I for one am not impressed with Stafford; he locks onto one receiver and does not look off. SC ST; cocks win but committed way to many turn overs; That being said, I think the Cocks will get a answer this week on how good they are and I think LSU will face the best team that they have faced this year on both sides of the ball. Saturday will reveal all
