Getting a Gamecock point of view as the Aggies travel to Williams-Brice
After a marquee win over LSU last week, No. 10 Texas A&M hits the road again to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium to try and stay atop the SEC standings. In advance of that matchup, we asked a few questions of David Cloninger, Sportswriter for Charleston, SC’s The Post and Courier.
Good Bull Hunting: South Carolina stands at 4-3, but was darn close to being 6-1 thanks to narrow (and controversial) losses to Bama and LSU. Given that, what is the current mood of the fanbase?
David Cloninger: The mood changes week-to-week here, always contingent on the last game. The Gamecocks mollywhopped Oklahoma, so it’s mostly good. But there’s always an underlying current of discontent, this year centered on how badly the offense has played.
GBH: The Battle for the Bonham Trophy has always been one of the most storied and heated rivalries in all of college football. You just can’t manufacture angst like this. Clearly we are each other’s main rival, but where would you rank this rivalry among the greats in college football?
DC: Disagree. You can’t manufacture rivalry, especially with a trophy that looks cool but no player or coach ever actually touches it after the game. It is in no way close to a storied rivalry, as this will only be the 11th meeting and in any rivalry, there has to be a split of the two teams. The Gamecocks have only once beaten Texas A&M. And nothing against Texas A&M, but the Aggies aren’t the Gamecocks’ main rival nor would I say the Gamecocks are A&M’s main rival. A&M would struggle to get into a Top 10 list of USC’s rivals.
GBH: A&M has dominated this series, going 9-1, but the of course their only loss came two years ago, at night, the last time they visited Williams-Brice Stadium. How big a factor do you think the home atmosphere will play in this game?
DC: Fans love evening games, since it’s an entire afternoon (and sometimes morning) of tailgating. There will be definitely be a turbocharged atmosphere that’s fueled by that. But the Williams-Brice atmosphere, while amazing at kickoff, can be taken away nearly immediately if the home team lays an immediate egg. That has happened several dozen times over the decades. Yet if the opponent gives USC an immediate boost – like if the Gamecocks return the opening kickoff for a touchdown, ala two years ago – that crowd will be a factor as long as USC is in the game.
GBH: What is the biggest strength and the biggest liability for the Gamecocks on each side of the ball?
DC: The entire defense is the backbone of this team. It’s playing fantastic football. The offensive line is the Gamecocks’ biggest weakness.
GBH: LaNorris Sellers has a tantalizing skill set, but it seems like he’s had a bit of an up and down year statistically. What should A&M fans expect to see out of him in this game?
DC: He’s still learning. He came into the year with only a few games and no starts under his belt, and even this year as the starter, he missed one entire game and two halves of others. He does overthrow his receivers far too often, he needs to do better feeling when a sack is coming and throwing the ball away. He will run and run a lot Saturday. He’s been prone to turnovers but is coming off a turnover-free game.
GBH: Based solely on stats, the Aggie DL against the Gamecock OL seems to be a big advantage for A&M, perhaps the biggest mismatch in this game. What is the rap sheet on the SC OL, and has that been viewed as an area of concern?
DC: It’s an area of concern larger than a Texas A&M football coaching contract buyout. The line was very poor last year, and it was blamed on health (they started different lines in the first seven games). This year, they’ve all been healthy but they’re the second-worst team in the country at giving up sacks. They also cannot open any rushing lanes, leaving Rocket Sanders to get all of his yards through contact. The Aggies’ D-line is going to feast on Saturday.
GBH: South Carolina has gone from No. 105 in sacks in 2023 to No. 3 nationally this season. Obviously freshman Dylan Stewart has a lot to do with that, but it can’t be the whole story. What else do you believe has contributed to their massive pass rush resurgence?
DC: Kyle Kennard, the man on the other side of the line, leads the SEC with 8.5 sacks. He and Stewart were two pieces of USC’s concerted effort to fix the pass-rush during the offseason. With that and the defensive tackles each having their best years, there’s simply not much room to operate when you’re an opposing QB.
GBH: Texas A&M is statistically the best rushing attack SC has faced this season, while the Gamecock run defense is also the best the Aggies will have seen. How do you think that strength plays out in this game?
DC: Many teams have been able to move the ball pretty well on USC, especially if sticking with the run for a sustained drive. USC does bow up in the red zone, though. I expect A&M to not challenge the Gamecocks’ secondary and stick with their legs, and if USC’s offense can’t give the defense any rest, it will be a long night.
GBH: In summary, how do you see this game playing out, and if you’re willing, give us a score prediction.
DC: Games are won in the trenches. A&M has a big-time defensive line and USC’s offensive line couldn’t stop Old Dominion. USC’s defensive front may hold the Aggies for a bit but it can’t do it forever, especially if the offense isn’t scoring.