Carolina Confidential – Final thoughts on Gamecocks vs. UNC
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We made it. We made it. We made it.
I’m well aware that I’m at the age where some of you would still call me young and some of you would call me old. I can tell you that I’ve reached the age where I’ve stopped wishing away days and months like I once did.
This is my favorite time of the year. I love the summer and the beach. And everybody loves Christmas. But nothing beats football season. And I used to sit around during February and March and wish I could fast forward to the fall.
I have since learned that it’s a fool’s errand. For one, you can’t fast forward time. And secondly, you only have so much of it left.
Rather than wish away the gaps between the things I love, I’ve instead chosen to try and enjoy those moments even more while I’m in them.
So, here’s to football. Let’s enjoy all of these moments — the good, the bad, and the awful — while we’re in them.
We made it.
— It’s no coincidence that when Shane Beamer was asked about his keys to this matchup with North Carolina the first Tar Heel player out of his mouth was quarterback Drake Maye.
I’m sure you will all remember the Gamecocks going up against quarterbacks who were more highly thought of on paper and in 7-on-7s because of how far they could throw a football than they actually were on the field, but it appears Maye is not one of those players who has generated hype on his upside alone.
NFL scouts love Maye for his prototypical size (6-4, 230) and arm strength but also his accuracy including his ability to throw the ball down the field with accuracy and the proper trajectory.
Perhaps most importantly, Maye last year showed the ability to make quick decisions and deliver the football with pass-rushing traffic around and in his throwing lane due to a UNC o-line that struggled. I have been impressed with his ability to make off-platform throws and to sometimes throw his receivers open even when they’re covered.
Maye also shows good vision as a runner and the ability to extend plays with his legs, as evidenced by the fact he was their leading rusher last season.
It will be pivotal for the Gamecocks’ front to be able to pressure Maye while also keeping him contained, a goal for every defensive coordinator for every game. But it will be especially important against a player like Maye. As successful as he has been as a runner, he is not as explosive as some of the run-first QBs you see and it will be important to keep him from building up to full speed, which is where he can really hurt you in that part of his game.
— There will be an interesting cat-and-mouse game between South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White and UNC offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey as the Tar Heels transition from Phil Longo’s throw-first scheme to the Gus Malzahn disciple’s more balanced approach.
All offseason UNC has worked to develop a more physical, more consistent running game while also carrying over some of their more successful concepts from last season.
While the spotlight is on Maye, Chris Paschal raised an interesting point in this week’s edition of The Verdict with the idea that stopping the Heel’s rushing attack could be more important than slowing down Maye through the air.
Lindsey’s previous stops show that his scheme is heavy on the RPO and that he likes to get his running backs and quarterbacks on the edge, so Paschal may have a point. We don’t know exactly what this iteration of this offense will look like, but if Maye throws for 300 yards and UNC struggles to run the ball, then the Gamecocks can walk out as winners. If Maye throws for 300 and the Heels also run for 200+ then it’s going to be a long night in Charlotte.
— How’s this for an interesting matchup? South Carolina’s revamped cornerback group vs. UNC’s revamped receiver room.
As of this writing, UNC transfer WR Tez Walker — their top receiver throughout the spring — has not been granted a waiver to be immediately eligible by the NCAA. Walker was reportedly UNC’s best receiver throughout the spring and a true down-the-field difference-maker.
Without Walker — and without Josh Downs and Antoine Green, the two leading receivers from last year — then this all of a sudden becomes a UNC receiving corps that is talented but that also has questions about if there are any true difference-makers in this group.
That could be a decent matchup for a Carolina cornerback and nickelback group that will feature Marcellas Dial, OD Fortune, and Keenan Nelson Jr. all three taking over new, bigger roles this season.
Putting that in the context of the rest of the matchup, if the Gamecock defensive backs can get the better of that matchup, then it could not only offer the front four a split second longer to get to Maye (compared to last year when their receivers were really quite good) but it could also give Clayton White the freedom and confidence to bring an extra rusher, while trusting his corners in man coverage, something he did quite a bit of last year with Cam Smith, Darius Rush, and Dial locking down receivers.
If it does play out like that, then I would expect the Heels to counter (or maybe this will be a part of the plan in the first place) by prioritizing their tight ends and running backs in the passing game and forcing the Gamecocks’ linebackers to prove they can cover them.
— If you ask me for the single biggest key to the entire season, then it may be for South Carolina to solve its questions at offensive tackle. Despite the losses on the offensive line from last season, Carolina should be in a position to get the job done on the interior, both in terms of having starting talent and depth.
If they can solve the offensive tackle question, then the rest should fall into place, though it’s worth pointing out that’s a premium position for a reason and many teams in the country are likely trying to solve the same question.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see all four players who are in the running for those tackle positions play at some point in the next couple of weeks and I don’t have the final word on who will get the starts — but as of earlier this week, it appeared to be trending towards Sidney Fugar (LT) and Cason Henry (RT) getting the first shot at things.
Fugar has continued to improve since the spring while Hughes has provided adequate competition for the spot. At right tackle, I can’t help but think Carolina is going to need both of those guys before the season is over. Henry doesn’t have much experience but is a massive dude and the staff is really high on his upside. Tyshawn Wannamaker dropped quite a bit of weight in the offseason but has put a lot of it back on and brings experience, athleticism and energy to the spot.
— We’ll finish off this piece with the man who I believe will be the focal point of South Carolina’s season — Spencer Rattler.
This time last year, No. 7 had created considerable buzz around the program. At the time, most of that chatter was about how he possibly had at much natural talent as anyone who had ever suited up in the Garnet and Black and how effortless his release was and how much velocity he could generate.
This year, most of what we’ve heard about Rattler has been more about how dialed in he has been, how comfortable he is with Dowell Loggains (who’s ready to finally see what this offense is all about?), how accurate he’s been both in terms of making the wow plays and in not missing the easy throws, and how much of a leader he has become.
Loggains has not only empowered Rattler in terms of offseason preparing and game planning in terms of scheme, but also has trusted him with quite a bit of responsibility at the line of scrimmage. Loggains may be running the show but I expect this to ultimately be Rattler’s offense and if he can translate everything he’s done in the offseason over to the game field, it should be a big year for 7.
Final Prediction: On paper, this looks like a battle of two gun-slinging quarterbacks against two defenses that have enough question marks for fireworks to be expected. However, college football is highly unpredictable, especially in Week 1 matchups. Additionally, I could also see a scenario where the two defensive lines create enough issues up front that this one is slightly more low-scoring than many anticipate. I’ll hedge a bit and say there will be points scored but it won’t necessarily be the shootout many expect. South Carolina 31, North Carolina 27
BONUS RANDOM THOUGHTS
— I was intrigued to see JT Geer suit up for the first time and believe he’s going to play a big role this year. His absence in Game 1 could actually be a pretty big factor. If I’m the staff, I’m pretty tempted to just play Tonka Hemingway at end and get him on the field with Boogie Huntley, T.J. Sanders, and Jordan Strachan. I also have a weird feeling Bryan Thomas Jr. could play a big role in this game.
— I didn’t get into special teams above because the piece had gotten too long and it’s almost an afterthought these days that Pete Lembo will have his units ready. Let’s not gloss over just how difficult it is to consistently put together exceptional special teams, though. Lembo is the elite of the elite. Even with opponents on high alert each week, it feels like all but a guarantee that he’ll go into this one with at least a couple of tricks up his sleeve.
— Excited for Dakereon Joyner. I believe there will maybe be a settling-in process but am intrigued to watch him run and to see if the line can consistently give him room.
But I also think we’ll see all four backs at some point in the next two weeks, if not in the first one. I’m still really high on DJay Braswell ultimately making a push.
— Seems crazy that the tight ends didn’t get mentioned much above — but it’s all but a given that Trey Knox and Josh Simon will play big roles this year.
— Very intrigued to watch the linebackers run sideline to sideline. This isn’t a shot at the guys who played the last couple of years, but I believe Carolina should be faster, more athletic, and deeper. That alone should help improve the run defense.
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