GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Again, the Rebels are searching for ways to score touchdowns in the red zone against an upper-level SEC opponent. Ole Miss was able to move between the 20s against Auburn, and South Carolina’s pass defense is similar in terms of yards allowed.
The Gamecocks, though, have allowed 16 red zone touchdowns on 32 opponent possessions, 10 more touchdowns than Auburn has allowed.
Coach Matt Luke during the open date week spoke about targeting tight end Dawson Knox with play-action passing in the red zone. It was the first time this season Luke has talked about intentionally throwing to the tight end.
South Carolina lacks a dominant running back which could be helpful to an Ole Miss defense still trying to slow the run.
The Gamecocks are No. 12 in the SEC in rushing offense, the Rebels last in rushing defense.
DRAFT SLANT
–LT Greg Little is projected to go in the first half of the first round of the 2019 draft, but Little didn’t have his best game against Auburn. The Tigers had five sacks and pressured Ta’amu many other times. Auburn end Nick Coe, who was often matched against Little, had three sacks.
ROSTER REPORT
–DB Ken Webster was shaken up on a big hit against Auburn but returned to the game. Webster has become a key piece of the puzzle in a secondary that has lost three starters for the season.
–DE Charles Wiley started in place of Markel Winters and recorded three tackles with a tackle for loss. Winters, the team’s sack leader with four, went out with a sprained knee against Arkansas. He’s out for a minimum of four weeks and perhaps the rest of the season.
–SS Zedrick Woods continues to be a steady player in the secondary. Woods had the interception that sealed the win against Arkansas and had nine tackles plus a forced fumble against Auburn. He is the team’s second-leading tackler, behind Sanogo, with 54.
–K Luke Logan had a better day against Auburn than against Arkansas when he was 1-for-3 on field goals. Logan was 3-for-4 against Auburn. His first attempt was blocked. He went on to hit kicks from 36, 37 and 35 yards. A first-year starter, Logan is 12-for-16 on the season and has hit eight of his first nine attempts.
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