Keeping It Close Isn't Good Enough
posted by Scott Hood, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
And it shouldn’t have.
Now they need to take that same attitude to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Unless the Gamecock players approach that game with the expectation of winning, it won’t happen.
However, there is probably a segment of Gamecock Nation that would be happy with an “almost win.” That is, just keep the final score respectable – in other words, beat the spread of 17 points - and walk out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with a sense of accomplishment.
But, that’s where the disconnect is – unless USC wins, they have accomplished nothing. That’s where the “New Carolina” comes in. In the past, USC has been content with six and seven win seasons, but that shouldn’t be the case anymore.
In short, losing a close game isn’t good enough.
Be assured veteran players like Norwood, Cliff Matthews, Nathan Pepper and Garrett Anderson aren’t going to Alabama just to compete. They’re playing to win.
Norwood said it best yesterday – USC isn’t going there to just shake hands with the Crimson Tide players, nor will they be satisfied with just being part of the festivities. They want to knock head and kick butt.
Their goal is to silence the 90,000 Alabama fans on hand for Homecoming.
Does that mean USC will win? Of course not. The offense must figure out a way to score points against one of the top defenses in the nation. Alabama has seven senior starters on defense, so they are deep and experienced. The Crimson Tide defense is big, fast and strong. The front seven in Alabama’s preferred 3-4 alignment might be the best in the country with “Mount Cody” and others.
And their best defensive player – middle linebacker Rolando McClain - is only a junior.
However, if there is any offensive mind in the country that can find a hole, it’s Steve Spurrier. There are few weaknesses in the Alabama defense, but Spurrier is trying his best this week to locate them.
In many ways, the runup to Saturday’s tussle in Tuscalossa reminds me of the week prior to the LSU game in 2007. The Gamecocks were likewise huge underdogs to the Tigers for the game in Baton Rouge
CBS decided to televise the game nationally, prompting an outburst from network co-host Spencer Tillman that LSU would win by four touchdowns. Many people, quite frankly, thought he was correct.
But USC fought hard and ended up losing by the score of 28-16. Were it not for a touchdown on a fake field goal and a dropped interception by Emanuel Cook that could have easily been a Pick-6, the Gamecocks would have been right in the game with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter.
This time, USC needs to get over the hump and make some plays in crunch time. Hopefully, the experience of playing in Baton Rouge, as well as the Swamp last year and Athens a few weeks ago, will benefit USC and lessen the odds of being intimidated by the crowd.
Certainly, USC has watched last week’s Alabama-Ole Miss game. The Rebels defense played well enough to win but the offense was wretched, especially in the first half.
Without question, Stephen Garcia must play one of the best games of his career in order to give USC a reasonable chance to win this game. In fact, that goes for the entire offense.
There is no magic formula, I can assure you. In a game of this magnitude, no turnovers, scoring touchdowns in the red zone and running the football effectively are the essential ingredients for success.
Do those things, bring the proper attitude, have poise and composure and the Gamecocks have a chance to win.
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Moments after USC had “upset” No. 4 Ole Miss, 16-10, on Sept. 24, in front of a raucous crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium, Eric Norwood confidently told ESPN’s Erin Andrews that the outcome didn’t surprise the Gamecocks at all.
And it shouldn’t have.
Now they need to take that same attitude to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Unless the Gamecock players approach that game with the expectation of winning, it won’t happen.
However, there is probably a segment of Gamecock Nation that would be happy with an “almost win.” That is, just keep the final score respectable – in other words, beat the spread of 17 points - and walk out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with a sense of accomplishment.
But, that’s where the disconnect is – unless USC wins, they have accomplished nothing. That’s where the “New Carolina” comes in. In the past, USC has been content with six and seven win seasons, but that shouldn’t be the case anymore.
In short, losing a close game isn’t good enough.
Be assured veteran players like Norwood, Cliff Matthews, Nathan Pepper and Garrett Anderson aren’t going to Alabama just to compete. They’re playing to win.
Norwood said it best yesterday – USC isn’t going there to just shake hands with the Crimson Tide players, nor will they be satisfied with just being part of the festivities. They want to knock head and kick butt.
Their goal is to silence the 90,000 Alabama fans on hand for Homecoming.
Does that mean USC will win? Of course not. The offense must figure out a way to score points against one of the top defenses in the nation. Alabama has seven senior starters on defense, so they are deep and experienced. The Crimson Tide defense is big, fast and strong. The front seven in Alabama’s preferred 3-4 alignment might be the best in the country with “Mount Cody” and others.
And their best defensive player – middle linebacker Rolando McClain - is only a junior.
However, if there is any offensive mind in the country that can find a hole, it’s Steve Spurrier. There are few weaknesses in the Alabama defense, but Spurrier is trying his best this week to locate them.
In many ways, the runup to Saturday’s tussle in Tuscalossa reminds me of the week prior to the LSU game in 2007. The Gamecocks were likewise huge underdogs to the Tigers for the game in Baton Rouge
CBS decided to televise the game nationally, prompting an outburst from network co-host Spencer Tillman that LSU would win by four touchdowns. Many people, quite frankly, thought he was correct.
But USC fought hard and ended up losing by the score of 28-16. Were it not for a touchdown on a fake field goal and a dropped interception by Emanuel Cook that could have easily been a Pick-6, the Gamecocks would have been right in the game with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter.
This time, USC needs to get over the hump and make some plays in crunch time. Hopefully, the experience of playing in Baton Rouge, as well as the Swamp last year and Athens a few weeks ago, will benefit USC and lessen the odds of being intimidated by the crowd.
Certainly, USC has watched last week’s Alabama-Ole Miss game. The Rebels defense played well enough to win but the offense was wretched, especially in the first half.
Without question, Stephen Garcia must play one of the best games of his career in order to give USC a reasonable chance to win this game. In fact, that goes for the entire offense.
There is no magic formula, I can assure you. In a game of this magnitude, no turnovers, scoring touchdowns in the red zone and running the football effectively are the essential ingredients for success.
Do those things, bring the proper attitude, have poise and composure and the Gamecocks have a chance to win.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.