Gameday forecast for Tennessee
I’ve had my fill of the gas-pumping saga.
Enough talk about Lane Kiffin, I-40 rockslides, David Reaves’ recruiting tactics, and the other UT/USC storylines – few of which have any real bearing on Saturday’s game in Knoxville.
Time for some good, ol’ rompin’, stompin’ SEC football. Halloween night on Rocky Top.
And you thought you saw a lot of orange at Clemson last year?
Tennessee seems like a spitting image of Alabama, with a fast, physical defense, a so-so quarterback and a tackle-breaking tailback who has the benefit of playing behind an experienced line.
It’s that last part that should concern USC fans.
Montario Hardesty is not on the same level as Alabama’s Mark Ingram, but he’s no slouch. Hardesty is averaging 102.9 rushing yards a game, while freshman Bryce Brown gives the Vols a nice change-of-pace back.
Ellis Johnson will try to crowd the line of scrimmage and force QB Jonathan Crompton to make plays. Though Crompton has played better of late, this is sound strategy considering Crompton’s entire body of work.
The problem is: USC knew the run was coming at Alabama – the Tide didn’t exactly disguise it when they direct-snapped to Ingram four or five times in the fourth quarter – and still couldn’t stop it.
But at least the Gamecocks kept the ‘Bama offense out of the end zone for the first 55 minutes. If USC can force field goals, Daniel Lincoln has shown he is far from automatic.
Offensively, I can’t see USC being able to run the ball effectively. The Vols held Ingram under 100 yards last week and are third in the SEC at stopping the run.
So it will be up to Stephen Garcia to avoid any game-changing turnovers, keep plays alive with his feet and hit a couple of long throws to Alshon Jeffery or Tori Gurley, who figure to be on the field together for the first time Saturday.
I don’t think the Gamecocks are going to go up and down the field against Eric Berry and Co. Garcia will be sacked several times and Spencer Lanning will do his share of punting.
But Garcia and the offense will do just enough and, like the last two trips to Knoxville, this one will come down to a field goal.
This time Lanning’s the hero.
USC 20, Tennessee 17
19 Comments to “Gameday forecast for Tennessee”
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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. 
Vols won’t get that many points. Neither do we. 13-6 Carolina wins.
I certainly hope that the Gamecocks beat TN – Knoxville is a difficult place in which to win – BUT – I beleive that we do have the team that can beat TN – the players just need to play hard and smart for 60 minutes. NO major blunders and we can win against a very tough TN team. I’ll take an ‘ugly’ win in this one!
I live in TN. The TN fans smell a big victory against the Gamecocks. I say they get a real surprise! TN 6 SC 7. The line right now is 5.5 TN favored.
Hey Joe, Great post. I like the score call.. Is there anyway you can write a story about Holtz for us fans.. That guy picks us everyweek on espn, and even with mark may(whom icould care less about) glaring at him not too. Can you say, Loyal to carolina.. thanks
There will be another I-40 rockslide on Saturday night after gamecocks whip the Vols. Garcia and the offense will put up 40 plus on Kiffin’s team.
USC wins 42 – 17.
Forcast is bad for Gamecocks. The Vols are going to run South Carolina into the ground unfortunately.
Vols 26-13 I am affraid to say.
Spurrier and Kiffin will both pull out some tricks Saturday night — maybe on the first play. I expect either Crompton or Garcia to go deep in the first series. Here’s hoping the Gamecocks can prevail. I think it’ll be close but Carolina should have won the Georgia game and seriously should have beaten Alabama. Let’s hope they remember those games. Carolina 16,Vols 14.
We’ll stop their run so long as we put players at the line of scrimmage, which we inexplicably didn’t do against Alabama. For some reason Ellis Johnson wouldn’t put 8 guys in the box against Alabama (cover 2 all night against a QB who can’t throw?), allowing Ingram to have a career day. Stupid. We put 8 guys in the box and make Crompton throw INTs, we will win.
I say if the BMAD express (Brian Maddox) isn’t in the game then who cares!
I agree Trigi, he should be in there running the ball like Ingram does.
Tired of the gas-pumping saga? Word.
I think the Vols will play a little flat following their battle with Alabama, and we might possibly defend the run more effectively this week. Non-committal, I know. Anyhoo, I like how we match-up, and I’m feeling another strong night from Spencer as well….
Yet another defensive stand in the late 4th? We’ll see.
USC 16, Tennessee 10
I see the start of something special Saturday night. Gurley & Jefferies on the edges, Moe in the slot, Saunders at TE & Miles or Giles out of the back field. I never was a fan of the cock n fire label… but we see the beginning of the fun & gun at SC. TN is talented on D, but NO TEAM can defend against 5 weapons. The glory days are coming folks– we see it start Saturday night
Chickens overwhelmed by Hardesty and Crompton has good game. Tn 24 usc 13
Noone outside the Palmetto state gives the Gamecocks any love. No one nationally is picking the Gamecocks to win. I hope the Gamecocks travel to Tennessee and prove to the entire country that we are real. I would love to agree with RockyTopSliding but I think the score will be more like USC 10 Tenn 9. But the Gamecocks should get it done.
I don’t care what the final score is as long as we win! Go Gamecocks!!
Maybe the UT defense will have an opening for a few big TE catches tonight?
Well gamecocks lost last night but it is not over because a win will come against the hogs and clemclunk. BUT Florida will beat the gamecocks and in the end CAROLINA WILL BE 8-4 FOR THE SEASON.
Wow you guys suck at making predictions. Except carolinacowboy, you were close man.
Go Vols…Another win over the Chickens (yawn)