Scouting South Carolina: how the Tigers win...

Scouting South Carolina: how the Tigers win…

Wall-to-wall defense: The Gamecocks have struggled to put points on the board all season, but have won anyway because of the strength of their defense. USC’s winning offensive numbers include 21 points against Vanderbilt, 14 against Mississippi State and Tennesee, and 17 against Florida. The Gamecocks’ defense will be tough to crack. So Clemson’s defense can’t afford to give up easy points, early or late. The Tigers will need to play their most compete defensive game of the season.

Take care of the football: Much of USC’s success this season can be attributed to the Gamecocks’ dominance in the turnover game. They forced opponents to cough up the ball 29 times in their first 10 games – which ranks second nationally – and have been good at turning opportunity into points. The Tigers, meanwhile, are in a turnover funk – 11 in three games – and losses to Georgia Tech and NC State, and a close call against Wake Forest, have been the result. Clemson can’t win against a team as good as USC if it keeps playing giveaway.

Don’t force the passing game: South Carolina’s defensive front is good enough to allow the Gamecocks to drop numbers into pass coverage, which is something that gave Tajh Boyd and the Tigers trouble against both Georgia Techm Wake Forest and NC State. Boyd talked last week about needing to do a better job of taking what the defense allows, and not locking on receivers and forcing the ball into coverage. After the Tigers got down early against NC State, the game plan unraveled. Against USC, Boyd’s after-the-snap judgment will be critical.

Run and top the run: When Marcus Lattimore went down, the Gamecocks didn’t shift offensive gears – they just found somebody else to run the football. The rushing game is a key component of USC’s plan to move the football and control possession, and they rank third in the SEC with a 191-yard average. Clemson’s has repeatedly given up some big numbers this season to statistically mediocre rushing attacks. Likewise, running the football will be important as the Tigers’ attempt to balance their offense and keep the Gamecocks’ defense from teeing off on Clemson’s passing game. The running-game element was missing against NC State, and as a result the Wolfpack defense feasted, with six sacks and two picks.

Win the big-play equation: Clemson’s playmakers need to shine. The Tigers need Sammy Watkins back, healthy and making plays, along with step-up performances from the rest of the cast as they go against one of the nation’s most stingy defenses. Big plays formed the framework for the Tigers’ early season victories over Auburn and Florida State.

Win third down: Chad Morris sees third down as an opportunity in which the odds favor the offense. It needs to play out that way even against a defense as good as USC’s. The Tigers have to reverse course from a woeful 2-of-14 showing against NC State. Big plays on third down have been a Clemson staple throughout the course of their 9-2 season.

Add some short yardage punch: The ability to throw the football all over the yard isn’t enough. Good offensive teams can pick up the tough yard or two. The Tigers haven’t been doing it with any consistency.

Play with some pizzazz: Clemson needs to take the fight to the Gamecocks rather than vice-versa. If the Tigers don’t attack, they’re not likely to win.