Carolina vs. Vanderbilt preview.

This morning I woke up, took a deep breath in, and smiled.  It was finally here.  College football is finally here.  The season gets off to an excellent start tonight as the South Carolina Gamecocks are taking their talents up to Nashville TN to battle against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Going into this game there are many things I am looking forward to seeing.

Number 1: I am interested to see how comfortable Marcus Lattimore is playing on his previously injured knee.  It is one thing to return physically and practice on it, but playing is an entirely different story.  Secondly I want to see how he returns mentally onto the national scene.  Being away from the game for so long not only can hurt you physically, but his mental toughness may have to be reinstalled. Im not saying he will or will not come out with a solid mental ferocity, but its something to watch for.

Number 2 and 3:  I want to see Connor Shaw reestablish himself as the quarterback of this football team.  Last year Shaw came in mid-season and performed excellently.  This year he returns and begins the season as starter.  However, unlike last year, he has no Alshon Jeffrey to spread the field.  This leads me to point three.  I am looking forward to seeing someone within the South Carolina receiving core establish themselves as a go to guy.  In summary, Shaw and the receivers have to step up tonight.

Number 4:  I want to see if Jordan Rodgers has taken steps forward in the offseason as a quarterback.  Jordan (younger brother of NFL Super Bowl Champion Aaron) was named starter mid-season last year  and kept the team in every game, winning some and losing some.  Vanderbilt returns 4 starters on the offensive line, which will hopefully be able to slow down the pass rush of USC.

Keys to game for USC

1.  Establish Lattmore early on

2.  Create defensive pressure

Keys for Vanderbilt

1.  Find ways to score and score early

2.  Make Shaw uncomfortable

3.  Keep game in sight

Analysis and Prediction

South Carolina returns most of its defense and replaces most of their holes very efficiently.  If Vanderbilt is to pull the upset tonight they will need to  find ways to put points on the board.  Vanderbilt has experience, returning almost all of its starters from last year.  In the end, I think Vanderbilt won't put up enough point to pull the upset, but it will be close.  Don't be surprised if Vanderbilt pulls this out though.  USC you are officially on Upset Alert

USC 24
Vanderbilt 21