Gameday forecast for Arkansas
Not to sound the alarms, but this week is starting to feel a bit like the Vanderbilt week last season.
Now before you go hammering away on your keyboards about how I hate the Gamecocks, hear me out:
–Steve Spurrier announces during the week that the Gamecocks need to play two quarterbacks, never mind that USC was coming off a win the previous week (UNC in ’07; Tennessee in ’08).
–There’s a lot of talk, outside the program, anyway, about the team next up on the schedule (UT in ’07, Florida in ’08) and not a ton of buzz about that week’s game.
–The whole early kickoff thing. Several USC players admitted they were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes in the locker room prior to the 12:30 p.m. kickoff against Vanderbilt. Saturday’s game starts a half-hour later at 1 p.m., but is the earliest the Gamecocks have kicked off at home this year.
And then, of course, there’s this: Arkansas, like Vandy, is a dangerous team.
The Razorbacks’ last two wins came over top-20 teams – No. 20 Auburn and 19th-ranked Tulsa. They have a senior quarterback in Casey Dick, who, though he won’t remind anyone of Tim Tebow, just passed for 385 yards against Tulsa, 2 yards shy of the school record.
Yeah, I know, Tulsa’s defense stinks. But it’s reasonable to think that a performance like that, regardless of the opponent, will help a quarterback’s confidence.
It will be up to Ellis Johnson’s defense to make sure Dick gets in no such rhythm Saturday … which brings us back to our first point.
Spurrier will pick his starting quarterback based on who looks best in warm-ups. He says Stephen Garcia and Chris Smelley will both play, and I’m sure Spurrier will stick with the hot hand.
The question is: Will either quarterback have the chance to get hot sharing reps?
Neither Smelley nor Blake Mitchell looked real comfortable last year against Vanderbilt, although chalk a lot of that up to the seven times they were sacked by the Commodores.
So while Spurrier checks out Smelley and Garcia in the pregame, it will be worth keeping an eye on the offensive line, which likely will have as much to say about the play of the quarterbacks as the quarterbacks themselves.
Bottom line: Although Michael Smith flirts with 100 yards, the Gamecocks overcome a couple of early turnovers and make sure there are no Vanderbilt flashbacks.
USC 27, Arkansas 17.
17 Comments to “Gameday forecast for Arkansas”
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USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
*fingers crossed*
I used to think you were a Gamecock hater years ago, but now know you are just realistic. You’ve become softer lately. Maybe the Gamecocks are just growing on you.
Iwould like to see Beecher start personally. I love SG, but would like to see that if TB is on the mark, the ‘Cocks would have a 2-headed monster on their hands. I just would like to see no turnovers from TB and maturity from SG in this game, not to mention a huge lopsided vitory sauteed with a 100 yd rushing performance by MD!(yeah right).
Why does every writer/self-proclaimed expert choose 17 points for our opponents? There is no way that they will score more than 10 on our defense at home. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Garcia throw for 300+ yards and several TDs on a very suspect Arkansas defense.
I was thinking the same thing. This feels too much like last year just give stephen the rock and let him go.
Let the blond make the predictions.
The only similarity between last year and this one, with respect to Vandy, is the UNC game. That is not much a pattern.
Second, never before has Spurrier had a defense like this one at USC.
Third, the signature wins by Arkansas you mentioned don’t look so impressive now. Tulsa got its ranking by beating no one special.
If USC’s offense was just a little more explosive and dependable i think that we could win big. But we aren’t yet. I think that if we limit our turnovers and cause a few like we did against UT then we should win by 10 points as Joe predicted. If you look at Person’s prediction’s this year notice how close he is. Anyway, assuming we take care of the ball decently and take care of business as usual on defense, then i think we win 27-14.
There, Ric, I didnt say 17.
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you`ll never be a mouthpiece like Larry Williams (nor should you) former tater beat writer..now with tater illustrated but I agree that the Gamecocks may be growing on you a bit. It`s OK not to tear down the team you cover,,,that`s too easy..Loving/liking the Cocks…now that can be a challenge.
The offense line is beginning to grow up. Look for a breakout this week and a good day both running and passing. Our defense will be too strong for Arkansas to contend with. We score the most points of year and Arkansas struggles.
Joe, I have never thought you were a Gamecock hater, that title belongs to Moron. I have always thought, even when you were disecting the team it was from a fans point of view. I think you and Seth are very good writers. If only you could rub off on Moron.
I just posted and it says my “comment is awaiting moderation”. I have never noticed that before, has it always said that for everyone who posts or am I on some double secret probation because of my vocal hate for Moron?
one word after lil miss “usc grad nd future bride” retrobution
GamecockEsquire Says:
November 7th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Let the blond make the predictions.
Esq, I couldnt agree more. Infact, bring back the brunette from last week and let them do a weekly show like Joe and Seth. Then we can “vote” on who did the best job!
jd, your comment is here.
I wanna be a guest score predictor. Can I do it from K-town???
Casey Dick had all kind of time to toss it around last week. Don’t see it happening this week. I predict another 6 sacks. Sure, the quick RB will hit a hole here and there. But once the passing game becomes null and void..It’s all over for the Swine of Arkansas. The “Mighty D” will score another 7 and put us in position for another 10. just like I predicted last week. SC 34 Ark 10
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