⚡ CFB Dashboard

After two warmups with varying degree of success, stuff gets real on Saturday afternoon. It's time to see a couple of things from South Carolina. Around here, the offense gets most of our attention, but we'll mention a couple of things on defense first. It starts in the secondary, specifically at nickel, where Gerald Kilgore and Quay'Sheed Scott have split reps so far this season. Both have logged 47 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus – Scott's played 35 snaps in coverage and Kilgore is marked down for 24. The PFF coverage grade for Scott is 74.8, nearly 14 points higher than Kilgore's. That's not to suggest that Kilgore's role needs to totally disappear. He's better against the run than Scott's been, so that's something to consider. But the difference in coverage grades is pretty striking, and it backs up the presumption we had coming into the season: Scott's better that way. And there's a pretty sizable test in Anthony Evans III, who's played 101 snaps from the slot this season, out of 114 total. If you're anticipating a mention of J'Zavien Currence over David Bucey, this isn't the place. Their coverage grades are comparable, plus Bucey's logged 12 more snaps in coverage than Currence. This is probably an unpopular opinion at this point, but keep the rotation going, though maybe not as much with Peyton Williams. He needs to be on the field as much as anyone on defense. Moving up to the line of scrimmage: Let's see what it looks like with Dylan Stewart working opposite of Anthony Addison as they rush the passer. That could be lethal. Over on offense, there are a few personnel-related things: Mazeo Bennett Jr. and Nyck Harbor dropped way too many passes last week and the week before that, so that's an issue that can't continue. Does that mean it's time for Sequel Patterson to get more snaps? Yes. More than Bennett? Perhaps. Does that mean it's time for Donovan Murph to get more snaps? Yes. More than Harbor? No. Harbor's as dangerous downfield as anyone in the country. There just aren't a lot of guys with that speed, not just at South Carolina, but across the country. It's time for Kendal Briles to show us what he's got ready to dial up for LaNorris Sellers in the vertical passing game. There wasn't any sense in wasting the good stuff against Kent State or Towson. Elsewhere on the offense, Matt Fuller has looked really, really good carrying the football when he hasn't put it on the ground. One more of those from him should result in a quick hook. The other running backs have certainly looked capable, too. As for the guys who block for them, whatever combination makes the most sense, but Darius Gray needs to be on the field. Same with Emmanuel Poku. Jacarrius Peak as well. He's getting paid too much to not play. Beyond that, it's hard to say what's what. Dayne Arnett and Shedrick Sarratt Jr. seem to be doing pretty well at right tackle. Does that combination keep working there or do we see grade flip over there with Peak in the line? Does someone move to left guard? It seems like the possibilities are almost endless.