3. Is South Carolina going to be able to run the ball?
Tennessee football’s defensive line is very good, as are its interior linebackers. But the depth is not there, and it has shown. The Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators took control of them in the second half because it became easier to run the ball.
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Meanwhile, the Alabama Crimson Tide also easily ran it down their throats in the second half. However, they had already secured their blowout win by that point. Anyway, the Vols are capable of wearing down with the right play-calling.
The question is if South Carolina can exploit that. Right now, their running backs are averaging just under five yards a carry, with 184 carries for 819 yards and five touchdowns. However, the star of the group is obviously Rico Dowdle, and he only has 83 carries for 351 yards, averaging under four and a half yards a carry.
You need more from your main back in general. Can Dowdle deliver? If he can’t the Gamecocks will lose one major advantage over the Vols. This will allow Tennessee’s defense to stay elite into the fourth quarter, which they surprisingly did against the Auburn Tigers.
If that happens, the advantage definitely skews towards the Vols with their offensive firepower in the passing game. Perhaps if the Gamecocks use him in smarter ways, he can make more plays. But right now, he has been far from the threat that the Gamecocks need him to be. And that could give Tennessee football a chance in the fourth.