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South Carolina Football: 3 bold predictions vs. LSU in Week 8

By Celeste Sabin

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 17: Nick Muse #9 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs after catching a pass against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter of the game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks won 30-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 17: Nick Muse #9 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs after catching a pass against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter of the game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks won 30-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Oct 17, 2020; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks players make their “2001” entrance before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2020; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks players make their “2001” entrance before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

1. South Carolina’s defense will come out on top

The South Carolina defense has been mediocre this season but is also showing some improvement every week. The team seems to have addressed some crucial areas in need of improvement. Just as on the other side of the ball, the defensive line was dependent on just one or two players to make all of the crucial plays.

In last week’s game against Auburn, the Gamecocks’ defense took advantage of errors made by Bo Nix and were monumental in the historic win over the Tigers.

This week, the Gamecocks could potentially find themselves with the advantage over LSU’s quarterback as well, and this will be the test to determine if they have grown and learned from the mistakes early on in the season.

It was rumored early in the week that LSU starting quarterback Myles Brennan may not play due to an injury, and the rumor was confirmed Thursday. True freshman quarterback T.J. Brinley will get his first start on Saturday night and fellow freshman Max Johnson is also likely to see time.

Ernest Jones leads the Gamecocks with 21 tackles this season, while Jammie Robinson and Shiloh Sanders are right behind him with 18 and 15, respectively. Ker Thomas leads the team with three sacks on the year with two of them coming in last week’s victory. Jaycee Horn was a monumental part of last week’s victory over Auburn when he intercepted two of Nix’s passes and earned the National Defensive Player of the Week award.

While the Gamecocks have allowed 368 offensive yards this season, LSU has allowed 494.7, with nearly 400 of those yards allowed passing yards. South Carolina has allowed 243.5 passing yards and 162 rushing yards this season.

Both teams will come into this game with intense motivation to get the win. LSU needs a win, end of the story. They came into the season the defending national champions, and they need a bolster to this young team’s confidence. South Carolina isn’t only seeking their third win a row, but another historic win over a team they don’t usually beat.

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