Scouting Report. (South Carolina, 10/03)

(Florida is always left)

Spread -17.5 | +17.5
Money Line -1,000 | +650
Over/Under 57

Now that we finally have some tape to work with, I can start making some observations about the game. So let's just jump on in.

Miscellaneous Notes: Tennessee isn't an automatic victory anymore. Their team looks incredibly different than they have in the past. I think we still have their number, but Pruitt is definitely leading them in the right direction.

SCAR Offense: Almost nothing has changed since Muschamp left. Their offensive playcalling continues to be extremely predictable. There are some wrinkles of runs to the outside (tosses, sweeps and jet-sweeps) but the vast majority of it is as if you were just picking: "what would someone run on 1st down statistically speaking?" Whatever the statistical answer is, 90% of the time Muschamp will perform the play you're thinking of.

For example: If it's 3rd and 5 and most pass, he will pass. If it's 2nd and 3, he will run it to get it closer. He is extremely unimaginative and doesn't take risks except for a few times a game.

QB: Colin Hill (25/39, 290, 1/1). This is a very average Quarterback and honestly there is no way he can be better than Ryan Hilinski. I'm not Muschamp, so I can't tell him who to play but this guy just does not have it. He really only has one strength to his game and that's to throw the slant. He has some deep threat, but it's not enough. Arm strength is questionable, and the worst of all:

He has zero pocket presence. He was sacked several times from a very, very vanilla pass rush from Tennessee. His eyes don't stay downfield and he's far too quick to just give up on the play.

OL: Yikes. Weak. Muschamp offensive lines always seem to just not be up to the task at hand. Many times the pocket collapsed in a mere second and Hill was just panicking. Similarly, rushing the ball South Carolina struggled mightily. South Carolina rushed for 89 yards on 35 carries (2.5 yards a rush).

SP (Skill Positions): Their WRs are actually pretty decent, and if they had a QB who could get them the ball (like fricking Ryan Hilinski) they would probably win a lot more games. They can make us pay if they can get the slant to work, but it looks like we'll be able to disrupt them without even blitzing.

Ole Miss looked much better than they did on offense, much, much better.

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SCAR Defense: Generally, it is like Muschamp's normal defense. They are conventionally strong, as long as you play a normal offense and do what he expects he will do well. The moment you mix things up it falls apart. They are constantly out of position, have blown assignments all over the field and worst of all: can be very soft from time to time. Tackling is still a major issue.

DL: Like most Muschamp defenses, the DL is great until they gas and that happens a lot with his team for a lack of moving the ball. They were okay, and did get penetration but Guarantano also isn't a very good passer, nor does he have great football instincts. Running the ball Tennessee just did fine.

LB: Nothing special, they're rather mediocre. They often times go to the wrong part of the field and had the most blown coverage assignments. Like flat out being no where near the ball or hitting the completely wrong gap in run support. By far their weakest position on defense.

DB: For an ex-safety, Muschamp, for whatever reason, cannot teach good, fundamental defense. Constantly the DBs are out of position and they rarely if ever look for the ball. I foresee a lot of pass interference penalties if we don't just outright catch it on them. No way are they going to match up with our receivers.

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Conclusion: I don't see South Carolina winning unless we have a stereotypical voodoo Muschamp game where we inexplicably turn it over six times. I think we'll probably be very successful on both sides of the ball should our starters on defense come back. If they miss another game, though, I'm not worried.

Hill is no where near as well coached as Corral, he will make mistakes.

Gators by 14.