RELATED: Spoiled by success, it’s time to re-evaluate South Carolina
THE GOOD
2.0: Number of sacks against Mizzou, exactly half of the team’s previous total through four games. South Carolina provided constant pressure on Maty Mauk without heavy blitzing — a good sign heading into Saturday’s game at Kentucky.
3: Total touchbacks in four tries by redshirt sophomore kicker Zack Cimaglia in last week’s game helped a struggling kick coverage unit limit Mizzou standout Marcus Murphy’s overall touches. Considering South Carolina gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns the week before, the bonus of Cimaglia’s big leg was a step in the right direction.
186.0: Passing yards per game given up by Kentucky, third-best in the SEC. The Wildcats have recorded six interceptions, tied for third-most in the league behind Ole Miss and Auburn.
THE BAD
69: Number of consecutive weeks South Carolina was ranked in the AP Top 25 before Sunday’s release. Voters didn’t think the Gamecocks were deserving of a spot after a loss to Mizzou and Steve Spurrier did his team no favors after his comments following a less-than-impressive win over Vanderbilt the previous week.
2: Losses at Williams-Brice Stadium in four games. The Gamecocks had the nation’s longest home winning streak (18) coming into the season, but that’s been spoiled by a team that hasn’t yet established an identity on either side of the football.
THE UGLY
33.0: Points per game opposing teams are averaging against the Gamecocks, 97th in the FBS ranks overall. South Carolina’s given up at least three touchdowns in all five game. That happened just seven times total last fall. While the opener against Texas A&M skewed defensive numbers, big plays have remained a problem since.
