Grading the Keys to the Win

Let's Grade the Keys to a Win that LOHD posted earlier:

1. Stay focused - The Gamecocks don't need to get caught up in the history or "talk" and just play football. Yes we all know that Spurrier will run a basic offense and defense this week due to a big game next week. The players just need to do their job today and get a 'W'.

• We give them a "A" here becuase the defense looked great (of course SCS helped us some).

2. Mix up the Offense - Gamecocks need to get everyone involved today and let's see a mix of run / pass. Would be good to see Boyd / Davis get over a hundred yards rushing...

• USC rushed for 223 yards, the most in the Spurrier era, behind tailbacks Cory Boyd and Mike Davis. Boyd finished with 132 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown run. Davis finished with 102 yards. Mitchell's numbers were 14 of 21 with just 147 yards and three touchdowns. USC gets a "B+" here due to the fact that the passing game could have been better.

3. Stop the run on defense -the SC State team runs a run - option type of offense so we need to stop the run and keep them from moving the ball with success.

• USC gets a "C+" here due to the fact that SC State racked up over 200 yards rushing.

4. Fundamentals - basically the gamecocks on defense need to make tackles, play their assignments against the option and knock down the passes. It is simple just execute and victory will not be hard.

• I give the gamecocks a "A-" here too. They made some but missed some too.
  

5. Special Teams --- USC also has not made many big plays on special teams so it would be nice to see a good run or two off a punt / kick off. Also the flip side is we need to play excellent coverage and not let their speed bite us. We need to win field position today.

• USC gets a "B-" here; the gamecocks need to tackle better on kickoff coverage especially with LSU next week b/c they have the speed to take it to the house.