The Hit Herd Round the World

It is no secret that Jadaveon Clowney is the most dominant player in the game of college football.

It is also no secret that Clowney isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

See here a helmet signed by Jadaveon Clowney this offseason:

In all honesty, Clowney signs alot of autographs (Not as many as Manziel), and could have simply forgotten to add the 'a' in heard.  I've made similar mistakes before when signing my name.

However it doesn't shine a very bright light upon a player who is often ridiculed for his inferior intellect.

Clowney doesn't care.  I imagine he is taking " We'll see who has the last laugh," approach.

Either way, still goes for a good laugh or two.  

USC @ Vanderbilt Halftime Recap

The first half of the college football season has come to a close and what a great one it was.  I was high on Vanderbilt before the game, but picked the Gamecocks to win.  Early on my worries for South Carolina were coming to fruition.  Lattimore, who normally never fumbles, put the ball on the ground on USC's first offensive play.

As advertised, the Gamecock defense is stout.  The gamecocks pushed Vandy back about 9 yards forcing a punt.  Two plays after USC repossessed the ball Shaw threw a pass into the secondary and it was intercepted.  Vanderbilt seemed completely in control.

After driving down to the Carolina 5, disaster struck.  Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin called a backdoor screen on 3rd and goal, causing Jordan Rodgers to throw an egregious pass across his body, which was intercepted by South Carolina defensive end Shaq Wilson and returned 50 yards.  Two plays later Marcus Lattimore galloped into the endzone giving USC a 7-0 lead.  USC once again overpowered the Commores and put three more points up on the board.

Thats when the momentum once again, shifted.  Jordan Rodgers connected with WR Jordan Matthews for a 78 yard touchdown.  Vanderbilt forced Carolina into a three and out and ended up putting a field goal up before the half was over.

However, the biggest story of the game to this point occurred right before the half ended.  Connor Shaw scrambled for an 8 yard gain and slid head first.  Three Vanderbilt players landed on him as he slid, injuring his right shoulder.  Shaw exited early into the locker room clearly in pain.  The Gamecocks will certainly have to make immense adjustments and rely on their defense if he cannot return.  Also, Lattimore played very well on his knee in the first half, racking up 38 yards on 5 carries with a TD.

NOTES FROM FIRST HALF

1.  USC is having trouble throwing the football

2.  Connor Shaw is very very...very fast

3.  Marcus Lattimore isn't as quick around the edge but is definitely as powerful as he was last year

4.  Momentum is HUGE.  

5.  Jordan Rodgers is feeling the pressure from USC

6.  Vanderbilt can be resilient.

7.  Vanderbilt has momentum and swagger heading into half.

8.  Jadavean Clowney is a freak of nature.   

9.  SOUTH CAROLINA'S DEFENSE IS DANG GOOD.

Halftime 
Vanderbilt 10 South Carolina 10

FOOTBALL IS HERE

Guys, Football is here.  43 minutes til' kickoff!  Bettin' on USC, cheerin' for Vandy.  

Comment with your predictions below!

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