It is time for the game that always takes place in Columbia as the South Carolina Gamecocks (5-4) travel to visit the Missouri Tigers (4-5) in Columbia, Missouri. Here are the three keys to a Gamecock victory.
By Steve Wright
1 – Keep the running game strong
The failure of the South Carolina running game has been one of the weirdest things going on in the SEC this season. The talent there is obvious – Kevin Harris was a monster in 2020 and ZaQuandre White has all the tools – but it just wasn’t happening. The most that a rushing attack that was getting touches – it isn’t like the passing game was lighting it up – had gone for in a game was 153 yards, then both Harris and White almost hit that mark individually against Florida in the upset win. Harris went for 128, Harris for 111, and South Carolina looked way better for it.
2 – Keep it simple for Jason Brown
The South Carolina quarterback situation has been all over the place this season but they may have fallen into something in the form of former St. Francis signal caller Jason Brown. Brown – the third quarterback to start a game this season for the Gamecocks – was thrust into action against Florida and went 14-of-24 for 175 yards and two touchdowns. If the running game is there – and it should be against the Mizzou turnstile defense – the Brown won’t be asked to do too much and that is a key to his success at this stage.
3 – Stop Tyler Badie
Badie is a running back that can be a real problem when he gets hot. He is a confident player, and big runs early will lead to continued big runs for the rest of the game. He was game scripted out against Georgia – he won’t be the first or last top-end running back to have that issue – but he went for over 200 yards in two of the three games before that. He will also be fresh after rushing just nine times into the Bulldogs’ wall, so South Carolina will have to be assignment sound and make their tackles and the Tigers’ biggest threat.
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