Quick … name two players on South Carolina’s football roster.
Chances are you can’t.
The Gamecocks flew under the radar much of the year, doing just enough to win eight games and earn a berth in the Outback Bowl against Michigan.
There are no superstars on this team … no George Rogers at running back like 1980, when South Carolina beat U- M in Ann Arbor, and no Jadeveon Clowney to de-helmet any of the Wolverines’ backs the way he did poor Vincent Smith in 2012. It’s just a solid group that enters as an eight-point underdog, eager to prove the program is on the rise under second-year head coach Will Muschamp.
Michigan, meanwhile, needs a win to avoid losing three of its last four for the second consecutive year. The Wolverines have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season, and they only get one more shot at it.
Here’s what U-M needs to do to end the season with a ninth win against four losses:
Convert on third down: Yeah, this one seems obvious — move the chains, keep the ball, score points, right? Here’s the thing ... South Carolina is okay defensively, middle of the pack nationally in run defense, passing defense, sacks and several other categories. The Gamecocks are only 95th nationally in third-down conversion defense, however, allowing success at a 42.5 percent clip.
Getting into favorable down-and-distance situations would help. The Michigan offense allowed worse defenses than South Carolina’s to get to its quarterbacks this year, allowing 34 sacks, and third-and-longs won’t help the cause.
Dominate defensively: This South Carolina offense is pedestrian, and the Wolverines should have a huge advantage here. The Gamecocks rank 107th nationally in rushing (127.3 yards per game), 80th in passing (212.9) and 63rd in third-down conversion rate (40.1 percent).
U-M has given up a few big plays in every game against the better teams on the schedule this year, and it happens. But this is not a big-play offense. The Gamecocks are in the bottom fifth of the country in long gainers, managing only 49 plays of 20 yards or more.
The Wolverines could — probably should — hold this team to 14 or less points.
Don’t get greedy on offense: There are always times to take shots in a football game, but the best way to move the ball on this South Carolina team is with sustained drives. The defense is in the top 10 nationally in 20-, 30- and 40-yard plays allowed, so U-M will probably have to chip away and (again) avoid second- and third-and-long situations.
There will inevitably be those times that redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Peters will need to drop back, of course, and the line needs to keep him clean. This will be his first game back since suffering a concussion at Wisconsin, and he needs to know he can trust his men up front to protect him. The quickest way to ruin his confidence would be to let him get hit early.
The Breakdown: This is a good matchup for Michigan, but it’s not as though the Gamecocks don’t have some athletes. Michigan is taking this one seriously, though, skipping Busch Gardens today and, from what we hear, a possible beach day Saturday.
Like their first bowl game two years ago under Harbaugh, a blowout win over Florida in the Citrus Bowl, this is a business trip. Peters has a chance to show he’ll be tough to beat out for the starting job next year, Shea Patterson or no Shea Patterson, and a win would prevent a three-game losing skid.
It’s also a chance for the line to take another step forward. Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno said the young guys up front have come a long way in the last few weeks, and we’re anxious to see it.
TheWolverine.com Staff Picks
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor Chris Balas: Michigan 27, South Carolina 13
We saw a much better game plan against Ohio State (offensively) than we did the previous several weeks. Redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Peters had been improving steadily, and if he’s not rusty U-M will score some points. South Carolina, however, will have a hard time moving the ball on this Michigan defense.
The Wolverine Senior Editor John Borton: Michigan 31, South Carolina 23
Michigan snaps a losing streak and heads into the offseason on the upswing.
TheWolverine.com Recruiting Editor Brandon Brown: Michigan 34, South Carolina 13
Michigan's defense is near elite and South Carolina's offense definitely isn't. By all accounts, Jim Harbaugh really wants this one and he should get it pretty easily.
TheWolverine.com Writer Austin Fox: Michigan 27, South Carolina 21
Who is Michigan’s best win over this season? Purdue? Minnesota? The Wolverines finally get the quality win they’ve been seeking all season on New Year’s Day.
TheWolverine.com Writer Andrew Vailliencourt: Michigan 24, South Carolina 13
Michigan’s defense will be able to keep South Carolina’s anemic offense in check.
TheWolverine.com Analyst Doug Skene: Michigan 27, South Carolina 20
Michigan will rush for 150-plus yards and keep Brandon Peters upright. Michigan’s defense must be careful no to over-pursue when South Carolina tries the misdirection.
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