South Carolina pulled off an impressive victory over Auburn on Saturday. Now the Gamecocks get another SEC West challenge when they visit LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge. Here are your three keys to a South Carolina win over the Tigers.
By Don Yates
1. Defensive Power
The Gamecocks did a wonderful job of stopping the high-scoring Ole Miss offense in their win over the Rebels on Saturday. LSU is probably more athletic than Ole Miss but not as well-honed offensively as Ole Miss. However, the Tigers, despite two early setbacks, have been able to light up the scoreboard. The Tigers have some dangerous offensive players including wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. who in three games has 21 receptions for seven touchdowns. Leading ground gainer, running back John Emery Jr., averages over six yards per carry. We’ll talk about the Tiger’s excellent quarterback in our next key.
2. Pressure Brennan
Tiger quarterback Myles Brennan isn’t a Joe Burrow yet but he’s on his way. So far this season in three games Brennan has completed 79 of 131 passes for 1,112 and 11 scores. He’s thrown just three interceptions. Brennan is the first quarterback in LSU history to surpass 300 yards passing in each of his first three games. South Carolina absolutely has to put some decent pressure on Brennan or he could pick them apart as he has done to LSU’s other three opponents this season.
3. Shining Shi
South Carolina wide receiver Shi Smith has been on fire so far in the 2020 season. So far this season Smith has 34 catches for 347 and three touchdowns. In the win over Auburn Smith has 8 for 76 yards. His third-quarter 10-yard touchdown reception set off a Gamecock string of three consecutive unanswered scores to help Carolina defeat the Tigers. To knock off the defending national champions, the Gamecocks need for Shi to have a big day on Saturday. South Carolina also has two other receivers with double-digit receptions including Nick Muse (13) and Kevin Harris (11, 1 TD).
Saturday‘s South Carolina-LSU game kicks off at 6:00 PM CT (7:00 PM ET). You can watch on the ESPN Network.
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