South Carolina is about to find out exactly what kind of football team it has. Mississippi State is no pushover, and the Bulldogs have a dangerous young quarterback in KaMario Taylor who can create problems with both his arm and his legs.
Here are my keys to a Gamecock victory.
1. Protect LaNorris Sellers
Everything begins up front. Mississippi State’s pass defense has given up yardage, and Sellers could have a field day if South Carolina keeps him clean. The offensive line cannot allow constant pressure to force him off his spot or rush his decisions.
Give Sellers time, and there will be opportunities downfield.
2. Catch the Damn Football
Sellers cannot do it by himself. When he puts the football where it needs to be, the receivers have to finish the play. Mazeo Bennett, DJ Black, Donovan Murph and the rest of that receiving corps must eliminate the concentration drops that have helped stall drives.
Brady Hunt and the tight ends also need to become reliable targets, particularly in the middle of the field and inside the red zone. Mississippi State’s secondary can be attacked, but only if Carolina’s receivers catch the damn football.
3. Make KaMario Taylor Play Quarterback
Taylor might be the most dangerous player on Mississippi State’s roster. He has the size, athleticism and arm talent to become a major problem if South Carolina allows him to get comfortable.
The Gamecocks must maintain disciplined rush lanes, contain the edges and avoid giving him easy escape routes. Pressure him, confuse him and force the young quarterback to process the defense from the pocket.
Do not let his legs take over the game.
4. Establish the Running Game
A productive ground attack would keep Mississippi State from turning its pass rush loose and would open the play-action game for Sellers. South Carolina does not need to run the ball on every possession, but it must be physical enough to keep the Bulldogs honest.
The Gamecocks cannot become one-dimensional.
5. Win on Early Downs
Third-and-long has been an enemy of this offense. Carolina needs positive yardage on first down and must stay ahead of the chains. That gives Kendall Briles access to his entire playbook and prevents Mississippi State from dictating the situation.
Defensively, the Gamecocks need to do the opposite: win first down and force Taylor into obvious passing situations.
6. Eliminate the Self-Inflicted Wounds
Penalties, missed assignments, dropped passes and wasted possessions will get South Carolina beaten against an SEC opponent. The Gamecocks survived those mistakes against Towson. They may not survive them against Mississippi State.
This team has to play cleaner, smarter and with considerably more urgency.
7. Start Fast and Take Control
Mississippi State will come into this game believing it can win. The longer South Carolina allows the Bulldogs to hang around, the more dangerous they will become.
Carolina needs to establish control early, get the crowd involved and force Mississippi State to chase the game. This is not the week for another slow, uninspired start.
Bottom Line
This game will come down to protection, execution and discipline. If South Carolina protects Sellers, catches the football and keeps KaMario Taylor contained, the Gamecocks should have the advantage.
But if Carolina turns the ball over, wastes possessions and allows Taylor to make plays outside the structure of the offense, Mississippi State is capable of walking out with a victory.
We are about to learn a great deal about the Gamecocks—and perhaps about Shane Beamer’s future.
