Welcome to Week 1 and the first installment of South Carolina’s Keys to the Game.
Like any opening game, there’s a lot of unknowns for both teams. A lot of the preparation will be based on what teams did last season combined with what their roster looks like this season. For Old Dominion, there’s a lot of new faces. ODU features 57 newcomers this season, which according to their official team website, is the 15th most in the country. So while there’s some mystery with the South Carolina to begin their year, there’s plenty with the Monarchs as well.
While this is a game that the Gamecocks should be able to win by at least three scores, ODU will be coming into Williams-Brice looking to upset South Carolina the same way they did two seasons ago against Virginia Tech. Below are my keys that the Gamecocks will need to do in order to prevent that from happening.
1- Force ODU to pass
Despite the Monarchs returning captain QB Grant Wilson, one of the biggest question marks surrounding ODU this season is their OL. If you thought South Carolina’s offensive line had issues last year, wait until I tell you about Old Dominion’s OL. Last season, ODU allowed 62 sacks. That was 21 more than what the Gamecocks allowed last season and the most sacks allowed by any team.
Last season, Old Dominion rushed for at least 100 yards or more in 11 of their 13 games. Of those 13 games, five were 170 yards or more with the high being for 339 yards against Marshall with four rushing touchdowns. Although ODU is looking to replace their top two rushers from last season, forcing them to become one-dimensional by passing the ball more often than they would like would play into South Carolina’s strength with the length and speed they have at by EDGE and at outside linebacker.
2- Build Sellers’ confidence up early with short passes
As LaNorris gets set to start in his first collegiate game, let’s remember a few things. One, he hasn’t had to deal with much in-game adversity during his career. Two, he has a wide receiver room that features more than 50 percent of new faces on scholarships. Three, a new offensive line that could be starting just one returner when we’re talking about players who appeared in more than 50 percent of the snaps last season. These aren’t excuses but rather the reality of what Sellers and this offense will face Week 1.
It’s because of this that offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains needs to find ways to get Sellers going early in order to build his confidence up. Incorporate plenty of play action for the young gun with quick slants and drag routes. Take advantage of a talented and versatile tight end room by getting the ball into the hands of guys like Josh Simon and Brady Hunt. Use RPOs and mix up some run plays with Rocket Sanders, Oscar Adaway III, and company. It also doesn’t hurt knowing that while there are some new faces out there for ODU, the Monarchs defense ranked 23rd worst in the country last season in passing yards allowed.
The beauty about Sellers is that he doesn’t have much tape out on him still. Use that to your advantage so that he can build his confidence up early. He doesn’t need to go out there chucking the ball deep from the jump. Let those plays happen organically because as he proved against Furman last year, he’s pretty good as doing that.
3- Sound play on special teams
Like a soft open for a restaurant, South Carolina has had their trial runs with new special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis. But now, it’s time for the real thing. While sources have told me that it took some time for players to adjust from the way how Pete Lembo did things to how Camillis does, guys have bought into his philosophies. That sounds great but now it’s time to apply it to the field. And while Old Dominion might be a group five team, trailing only South Carolina, since 2021 the Monarchs have blocked the second most kicks in FBS.
If ODU is going to win this game, they’re gonna have to come up with a big play on special teams. They know that the Gamecocks will be doing some things schematically that are new for them, special teams-wise, and will look to exploit that. Do your job and make sure you don’t give this team any hope by allowing them to come into your place and “Beamer Ball” you.
The post South Carolina’s Keys to the Game vs Old Dominion appeared first on On3 .
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