StillCocky

First off I would like to say that I have nothing but respect for the NU program and it's fans.

As for CockyTalk most of the posters there are very respectfull (there are always "those fans" with every team) but all of us were a bit offended by Pellini's comments after the game. I also agree about the phantom pass interfierence call but those things happen to every team and one play does not make a game. Yes, although the score didn't indicate it Nebraska did outplay Carolina in the first half but our defense made the proper adjustments and outplayed Nebraska in the second half. Close games are won and lost in the 4th qtr and that's exactly what happened yesterday.

It was a hard fought game and your pass defense played lights out. Hopefully we will have a rematch next year in the NC game (hey, why not aim high).

Regarding the Dennard vs. AJ discussion. I would like nothing more than to see SC target Alshon Jeffrey 15 times this game. Dennard would win a number of those battles straight up.

Alshon Jeffery doesn't have blazing speed but what he does best is using his big body to box out the defender and he catches just about everything that he can get his hands on. The other thing AJ does is take away the best defender on the field and the Saftey always keeps one eye on him at all times, this opens up the passing game for the rest of the receivers and RB's. The best way to shut down AJ is with a good pass rush, our pass protection has been our biggest weakness.

Shaw comes from a football family, his father was his HS coach and the kid lives and breathes football. He knows how to read defenses and you could tell by the end of the season that the game is slowing down for him and his confidence building. The one thing that has helped him is better pass protection, our o-line has been our Achilies Heal although they have done well with run blocking. When given time he is a very accurate passer but he still makes some rookie mistakes although he does seem to learn from them. This game against a good NU defense will be a true test for him.

SC is 45th nationally in stopping the run, while we're 13th in rushing yards/per game.

 

Keep arguing though....

 

A good stat. Our d-line is one of the best in the country but have gotten killed by the triple option from Navy and The Citidal. Our LB's also have had there fair share of issues stopping the run on occasion but have improved through the last part of the season. Don't let the Arkansas game fool you about our DB's because we lost several starters before and during that game and they have one of the best passing games in college football, they are as good as there ranking. On Offense we lost are Senior starting LT early in the season and have had some real issues up front in pass protection but the young line has shown improvement. Losing Lattimore was huge but we have still managed to run the ball successfully due to Connor Shaw and his ability to run the Zone Read Option. Alshon Jeffery has been pretty much shut down this year but is still good for at least one amazing catch each game.

Well, personally I think our teams match up real well and this should be a great game. I don't know a lot about your football team but I have a lot of respect for your program and it's history. Here's to a injury free great game!

I think this is the best possible match-up we could have gotten...

 

From the OWH...

 

Nebraska and South Carolina are a pair with similar journeys in 2011.

 

•   Both were hit hard by injuries. South Carolina lost star running back Marcus Lattimore midway through the season to a knee injury. NU lost several defensive players — including tackle Jared Crick ­— for entire chunks of the year.

 

•  Both failed to win their conference divisions, but beat the eventual division champion. Those teams — Michigan State and Georgia — are playing in the Outback Bowl at the same time as Nebraska and USC.

 

•  Both had a blowout November loss on the road to shoot down their BCS bowl hopes. NU lost 45-17 to Michigan. South Carolina lost 44-28 at Arkansas.

 

•  Both use a spread offense featuring mobile sophomore quarterbacks. The Huskers’ Taylor Martinez ran for 837 yards and nine touchdowns while the Gamecocks’ Connor Shaw ran for 483 yards and seven touchdowns, most of that coming after he took over the starting job six games into the season.

 

•  Both have playmakers on defense. NU relies on Butkus finalist Lavonte David and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. South Carolina calls on two dominant defensive ends: Melvin Ingram and true freshman Jadeveon Clowney, the consensus No. 1 recruit of the 2011 class. The two have combined for 14.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.

Great breakdown. I think we are pretty well matched up and this is going to be a great game. Like thegarnetway said we are historically bad in bowl games but this is an entirely different Gamecock team than I can remember so I'm confident that they will bring there "A Game".