Preview: #21 Texas A&M at #9 South Carolina
Date: 8/28/14
Time: 3 PM EST
Television: SEC Network
Spread: +11 Texas A&M
Players To Watch
Texas A&M’s Running Backs Corps (Texas A&M)
That is a broad category, but Texas A&M has three wonderful talents at running back that are all capable of shredding the Gamecocks defense. Tra Carson is a large power back, while Trey and Brandon Williams are more agile backs. Style aside, all three are talented running backs that will not get the amount of carries they deserve simply because there are not enough touches to go around. Against South Carolina, who lost most of their defensive front, Texas A&M will likely favor the brutality of Carson.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Wide Receiver (Texas A&M)
After just having the luxury of Mike Evans, another great Texas A&M receiver is arising. Seals-Jones is of the same breed of Evans in that he is a large bodied receiver that can have his way at the catch point. Now, it will only be Seals-Jones’ first full year of playing on Saturdays, but that is not much of a concern for the former five-star recruit. With South Carolina starting two equally as young cornerbacks, Seals-Jones may be able to dominate.
Mike Davis, Running Back (South Carolina)
The college football nation, more specifically the SEC, is loaded with stunning running back talent and Davis is no exception. Davis can do it all. Run with power, run with agility, run with patience, and be a weapon out of the backfield. Davis is capable of beating teams in so many ways that it is near impossible to fully gameplan against him. If you stop one aspect of his game, he has free reign to beat you with another aspect. With a new quarterback at the helm, a lot of responsibility in this game will be on Davis’ shoulders.
Shaq Roland, Wide Receiver (South Carolina)
Roland is not physically dominant, but his agility and speed will take allow him to take advantage of some of the best cornerbacks in the nation. He has the straight line speed to be a wonderful field stretcher. At the same time, Roland has a knack for making acrobatic catches. Diving, leaping, reaching backwards; nothing is too tough for Roland to make a play on.
Texas A&M’s Offense vs South Carolina’s Defense
Though they now lack the presence of Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M’s offense still has potential. With players like Seals-Jones, the running back trio, Speedy Noil, and their elite offensive line, A&M will still be able to control the tempo of the matchup and ultimately outplay their conference opponent. As if A&M’s line was not already the best in the country, South Carolina lost the bulk of their defensive front. Texas A&M’s line will be one level of protection below the Great Wall of China.
South Carolina’s Offense vs Texas A&M’s Defense
South Carolina’s offense is, in theory, not much worse than that of Texas A&M’s, but Texas A&M’s defense is also worse than South Carolina’s. Aside from Deshazor Everett, who is nothing special, there is not much talent at starting positions. South Carolina’s skill players may be able to generate enough offense to outscore their opponent’s offense. That said, do not count on it.
Game Preview
Both offenses have the advantage over the opposing defense, so the game comes down to which offense will fail to keep up with the other in a shootout. While both offenses certainly have the capability of doing so, Texas A&M has more weapons to make it happen. There is more depth and variety to Texas A&M’s attack, whereas South Carolina’s will be dependent on a couple of players. Ultimately, the game will be a wonderful conference clash, but Texas A&M is, barring major injury, the better team.
Implications
Though it is the first game of the year, this game has major conference implications. As stated before, both teams are from the SEC. An early conference win here, against another top conference team, no less, would be a comforting cushion to have. Of course, both teams are talented enough to rebound just fine, but it never hurts to have an early lead in arguably the toughest conference.
Final Prediction
Texas A&M- 45 vs South Carolina- 34