Gamecocks face another test in Vandy

COLUMBIA — For South Carolina, Game 2 more often than not means Georgia. Not this year. And, trust us, that works in the Gamecocks' favor.

Instead, like the North Carolina State opener that USC managed to get past, it's another middle-of-the-road test. It's tough, but not too tough.

It's Vanderbilt. Wait, then again, it's Vanderbilt.

(Disclaimer: If you don't like being reminded of last season, skip to the section break.)

In 2007, you might recall that Vandy came into Columbia and made South Carolina — 6-1 and ranked, regardless of whether you believe it or not, sixth in the country — look hapless.

The Gamecocks played quite the role in their own demise. Especially the offense, with five false starts and seven sacks allowed. USC mustered just a pair of field goals in the 17-6 loss. In a word, ugh.

Enough about last year? Well, perhaps the Gamecocks' best remedy for this year is keeping 2007 in mind. The Vandy loss set off the five-game tailspin to end the year. Use that as motivation.

So, why is the Vandy game's timing good news? Assuming USC can avoid back-to-back upsets at the Commodores' hands, it allows the team an additional few days to get ready for a powerful Georgia team that'll have revenge on its minds after 2007 in Athens. Any little advantage helps.

The breakdown

Vanderbilt offense vs. South Carolina defense

They didn't do much against South Carolina's depleted 'D' last year. Bad news, Vandy: You lost to the NFL possibly the best receiver and offensive lineman in the program's history. Certainly recent history.

For whatever reason, the Gamecocks always managed to corral Earl Bennett. But not having to go against tackle Chris Williams will certainly be a welcome relief for USC's defensive ends.

QBs Chris Nickson and MacKenzi Adams both played against the Gamecocks, and Adams was a shade better. Neither played without flaw, but both were serviceable.

Look for both to be employed against the Gamecocks again, although Nickson appears to have the leg up going into the year.

If Vanderbilt gets to 17 points, like it did last year, it'd be surprising. Even if the game is on its Music City turf (Thank goodness the 'Dores still don't have that atrocious faux turf. Think of the carpet burns. Yikes.).

A year ago, Bennett and the Commodores were talking about the BCS. We laughed then. We're still laughing now.

South Carolinian Bobby Johnson's making strides there, sure, but being realistic is a virtue. Especially in this division.

South Carolina offense vs. Vanderbilt defense

This is where the Gamecocks really blew it a year ago.

It was as if they expected Vanderbilt to roll over and let them roll up 50 points and 500 yards on them. Didn't happen.

One reason was the emergence — and, really, it happened in that game — of Palmetto State product D.J. Moore. The junior is evolving into one of the best corners in the league.

Moore, who went to Broome High in Spartanburg, had two interceptions against USC, leading some to wonder why the Gamecocks weren't in the mix for him back then. Moore is also a threat in the return game.

But he can't do it all.

The Commodores' linebacking corps was especially hit with attrition. Jonathan Goff was a team leader, and Marcus Buggs is also gone. Goff paced Vandy with 113 tackles a year ago.

Those losses are good things for Mike Davis and the offensive line's ability to stop ideas of a Vanderbilt blitz.

The crystal ball

Vanderbilt was a team, on paper, that South Carolina should've easily defeated last year. Vanderbilt lost several key players after this past season.

You do the math.

But, as you've seen over the years, the Gamecocks don't always win when they're supposed to.

This time, they will. C'mon, we've got to keep that Georgia showdown in tact. What fun is 1-1 USC against 2-0 UGA? Yawn.

So, for the second time in as many weeks, the Gamecocks win and win ugly.

We see them getting out to an early lead, letting Vanderbilt hang around for 2 1/2 quarters and then punching one in early in the fourth to put the game away.

To this point in the (pretend) year, the Gamecocks haven't proven much, haven't learned much about themselves. But they're 2-0.

And Georgia looms.

Prediction

South Carolina 23, Vanderbilt 9

Friday

Georgia at South Carolina

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the new South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.