COLLEGE GAME PREVIEW

Game Scout: Texas A&M at South Carolina

The Sports Xchange

August 27, 2014 at 9:15 am.

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Dylan Thompson. Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

No. 21 Texas A&M at No. 9 South Carolina

KICKOFF: Thursday, 6 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 8/28/14
SITE: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.
TV: SEC Network
SERIES: This is the first-ever meeting between South Carolina and Texas A&M. They are permanent opponents from opposite divisions in the SEC.
RANKINGS: South Carolina 9th, Texas A&M 21st

KEYS TO THE GAME

When No. 9 South Carolina and No. 21 Texas A&M kickoff the college football season Thursday night in Columbia, the marquee players from a year ago will be nowhere to be seen. The Gamecocks must replace No. 1 overall pick DE Jadeveon Clowney and the winningest all-time QB in school history in Connor Shaw.

The Aggies lost former Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Johnny Manziel, wide receiver Mike Evans and offensive tackle Jake Matthews in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

That gives both teams plenty to prove in the first football contest on the newly-minted SEC Network.

“They are going to play a lot of young guys it appears, but they have a lot of experience with guys coming back that were sort of freshmen last year from what we can tell,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said.

“Obviously, they lost their quarterback, wide receiver and offensive lineman, three No. 1 picks last year. But they are probably a little bit like us that they haven’t had a bunch of superstars to talk about this preseason and their players are anxious to earn their way, just like our guys. Our guys are anxious to show the country we can play ball and we have a lot of good players also.”

The names for South Carolina will include senior quarterback Dylan Thompson, junior running back Mike Davis, a talented pool of wide receivers and most experienced offensive line Spurrier has returned in his 10th season on the job.

Thompson has made three career starts and is much more of a gunslinger than Shaw. That will possibly create more big plays but also increase the four interceptions the Gamecocks threw last season. Thompson was responsible for three of those in 89 pass attempts.

“(Thompson) was our backup quarterback that got to play a bit and he knew that,” Spurrier said “Of course, he had that outstanding game against Clemson a couple years ago, and against East Carolina here Connor was banged up a few games, and then came off the bench to beat Central Florida last year down there. He’s the only quarterback in the nation to beat them so he’s played a bit and he’s ready to go. He’s ready to go.”

Sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill won a heated battle with heralded freshman Kyle Allen to replace Manziel. In limited action last season, Hill threw for 183 yards. Freshman Speedy Noil will try to revive a receiving corp that was hit hard by graduation.

“And this Kenny Hill’s been there a while, too, they have a lot of confidence in him, at A&M,” Spurrier said. “So who knows how they’re going to play? These first-year quarterbacks are just now getting their opportunity. They may play better than the guy before them. Nobody knows. But most of them have been there a while and they’re anxious to prove they can play the game also.”

Spurrier owns a 9-0 record in season openers since taking over at South Carolina. He’s 23-1 all-time in season openers with his lone loss coming when his Duke squad lost to the Gamecocks to open the 1989 season.

Texas A&M will be seeking victory in a conference opener for the first time since 2007.

A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said the entire depth chart will likely run out on the field at some point.

“The only reason I give that out is that (media relations director Alan Cannon) said you needed one,” Sumlin said. “You can take it for what it’s worth. Does it matter who runs out there on the first snap? They’re all going to play. That’s really a list of who we anticipate getting in the game.”

Sumlin went on to wax philosophical about the age of the player put in certain situations. He referenced then-freshman tailback Tra Carson being back to receive the opening kickoff when Texas A&M made its SEC debut against Florida two seasons ago.

“At different times, what’s the difference?” Sumlin said. “Experience is all relative. If you’ve never done it and you’re a junior, unless you’ve been back there by yourself, what’s the difference? it’s the first time anyway.”

One spot on the depth chart where the Aggies will have a first-timer in there will be quarterback where sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill has been named the starter. Hill edged out freshman Kyle Allen to start the opener, though all indications are that Allen isn’t far behind and will see action.

Hill, and maybe Allen at times, will be throwing to other new faces at wide receiver for the Aggies. Texas A&M’s depth chart features a true freshman in Speedy Noil, a redshirt freshman in Ricky Seals-Jones and a sophomore transfer in Josh Reynolds, all in starting spots. Additionally, true freshman Frank Iheanacho is listed in the No. 2 slot behind Reynolds.

With that much youth in the lineup, there’s only so much deflecting Sumlin could do when it came to his team’s youth.

“The challenging part in this deal, with the number of young players, is not knowing how they’re going to react in a hostile environment on the road,” he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aggies

–QB Kenny Hill, a sophomore, won the starting job over highly acclaimed freshman Kyle Allen. Hill’s two biggest strengths are his experience within the program and his mobility.

–QB Kyle Allen still has a chance to play. In fact it seems likely Allen will get some action in the season opener at South Carolina.

–WR Malcome Kennedy leads the Aggies returning receivers having caught 60 passes for 658 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’ll be surrounded by a whole lot of youth, including two freshman and a sophomore transfer.

–RB Trey Williams is ready to take on a bigger role in the Aggies’ offense. Sumlin said Williams, along with Brandon Williams, know the blocking schemes well enough to be trusted in more game situations. Trey Williams is Texas A&M’s leading returning rusher with 407 yards and six touchdowns last season.

–CB Deshazor Everett has to be a steadying force in the Aggies’ secondary, especially with De’Vante Harris sidelined with a urinary tract injury. Everett had two interceptions and seven breakups in 2013.

Gamecocks

–RB Mike Davis looks to build on a solid sophomore campaign. Davis rushed for over 100 yards in seven games last season but was slowed in the latter part of the season with nagging injuries. He finished with 1.183 yards.

–QB Dylan Thompson understands this is his show. The senior got ample opportunities to play a series or two in several games last season but with no other quarterback that has thrown a pass in a college game on the roster, Spurrier will be tested to pull Thompson in a close game.

–WR Shaq Roland needs to have a breakout season if South Carolina is going to be successful. The former South Carolina Mr. Football in high school has underachieved in two seasons. He caught eight passes as a freshman and 25 last year in which he served a three-game suspension in the middle of the season for a violation of team rules. Bruce Ellington left for the NFL early so Roland needs to be the go-to guy.

–CB Brison Williams is moving from safety to cornerback. The Gamecocks lost both corners from last year and three of the four players listed on the depth chart at that position are true freshmen.