Tennessee is looking to earn its first SEC win of the season Saturday night when it hosts South Carolina at Neyland Stadium.
Each week, Rocky Top Insider will take you behind the scenes with a question and answer with a media member who covers Tennessee’s opponent.
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How would you assess South Carolina through a challenging first four games of the season?
“I would say this team is absolutely better than it was in week one, but still a work in progress almost completely across the board. Spencer Rattler has played very well and Xavier Legette is off to the best receiving start in school history, but Antwane Wells Jr has been banged up all year. The running game is a major struggle after losing the top two backs off last year’s team. Division II transfer Mario Anderson Jr.’s 88 yards on 26 carries actually accounted for by far the best rushing performance of the season so far, but even that did not feature a carry longer than nine yards. They’re also starting a true freshman at left tackle, a true freshman played right guard for over 60% of the snaps last week and a true freshman is starting at safety. Splitting those first four games is not a disaster by any means, but the first four games have been difficult and full of growing pains.”
What is the importance of this game for this South Carolina team?
“I think because of everything I just said this is not a must-win game or anything, but winning it could be a huge launching point for the rest of the year. South Carolina will go into its bye after Tennessee and then close the year with five of the final seven games at home and only one top-25 opponent in there, Missouri. Going 2-3 will not write off this team’s chances of making a bowl, especially because both of Shane Beamer’s first two teams at South Carolina have closed the year stronger than they started, but going 3-2 with that schedule in the back half could be a springboard to something special.”
How has Spencer Rattler improved in his second season at South Carolina? What’s most stood out to you about Rattler this season?
“In a reversal of what the expectation was going in, right now South Carolina’s secondary has been the biggest weakness while the defensive line is getting push. There is a lot of talent on the backend for South Carolina, but the starting nickel and both starting safeties are underclassmen and there have been some communication issues with everyone at times. At corner Marcellas Dial and O’Donnell Fortune are experienced players, but not the lockdown players South Carolina had on the outside last year with two NFL Draft picks in Cam Smith and Darius Rush. Up front they’re playing well though, getting five sacks and 14 tackles in the first two SEC games. Most of the pressure has come from the interior, with defensive tackles TJ Sanders and Alex Huntley winning SEC Defensive Lineman of the week honors the last two weeks respectively. EDGE is still a work in progress, but South Carolina is the healthiest it has been all year with Jatius Geer and Tyreek Johnson both returning from injuries last week.”
What are a few keys for South Carolina to pull the upset for the second straight season?
“I think a lot of it will have to look like last year’s game. This running game, while showing signs of life, is still nowhere near good enough to slow down tempo or keep Tennessee off the field. They’re going to have to let Rattler air it out and count on him to continue to his excellent start to the season. Defensively I think a key is going to be containing Milton outside the pocket. Mobile quarterbacks have hurt South Carolina throughout the Shane Beamer era, including week one against Drake Maye. And if Milton is extending a play looking for something to break down in coverage, South Carolina’s young secondary is going to have to stay sound in communication and not let anyone get behind them.”
Score Prediction?
Tennessee 31, South Carolina 24
