South Carolina vs. Florida State
Steve Spurrier probably studied Florida State’s game against Virginia Tech a lot before this game. Va. Tech exposed a lot about Florida State’s defense when they ripped into that defense. South Carolina has a lot of what Virginia Tech has during that game. Athletic, dual threat quarterback: Check. Strong runningback with a lot of toughness: Check. A strong defense that can pressure the quarterback: Check. The Gamecocks also have one thing that Virginia Tech really lacked; an elite, game-breaking wide receiver. While the Florida State defense has gotten better in the secondary, Alshon Jeffery is the kind of receiver who can take a small weakness and turn it into a major hole. Florida State has to be able to pressure Stephen Garcia into making mistakes. Their front four is fairly good at causing pressure, however they have a harder time shutting down running lanes and if they don’t do a good job of tackling Garcia, he can hurt them with his legs.
Florida State should be able to find ways to move the ball if the mix their play calling up enough. South Carolina’s defense has really faced a zone-blocking team like Florida State this season and has a somewhat suspect secondary. If Florida State can run the ball effectively with Ty Jones, Chris Thompson and Jermaine Thomas, it’ll open up passing lanes down the field for (likely starting) Christian Ponder. Ponder has very good awareness of what’s going on around him so he should be able to exploit any mistakes that the South Carolina secondary makes. The Gamecocks may have to just keep their safeties deep regardless of what Florida State is doing offensively because Seminoles receivers Bert Reed and Taiwan Easterling are speed demons that are at their best when working deep routes. Look for a lot of play-actions passes from Florida State in this game.
Prospects to Watch
South Carolina
Cliff Matthews – Defensive End: Cliff Matthews like a lot of other college defensive ends, good enough to be successful in college but lacks the physical tools to be thought of as a consistent NFL player. He is a work-hard player with adequate explosion who knows what moves to use to rush the quarterback. He has a good frame and experience playing form a 2-point stance. That being said, he doesn’t have the explosion to consistently beat more elite left tackles nor does he have the strength to anchor against bigger run blocking tackles. He could work as a third-down pass rusher in a 3-4, which will get him some play in the 6th round.
Florida State
Rodney Hudson – Offensive Guard/Center: Hudson doesn’t have elite strength and is a touch shorter than is ideal for a guard. However, those are about his only flaws, and you wouldn’t be able to tell those by watching his game. He knows what his assignment is, knows how to communicate with his fellow offensive lineman and is able to effectively pick up stunts. He has shown excellent ability to drive defenders off the ball and lock them out in pass protection. Hudson is perhaps the best guard prospect coming into this year’s draft and could find himself going in the first round, thought he second round is more likely for interior lineman.
Final Pick
South Carolina – The Gamecocks have been up for every game they’ve played this year and Virginia Tech gave them the blue print to beat Florida State. I think they follow that blue print.
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