The Coogs will be bringing the 11th best offense in the country and 6th best scoring offense into Memphis. They are also bringing a 6 game bowl losing streak. Their last bowl win was in 1980, a 35-0 thrashing of Navy in the Garden State Bowl. UH is 7-8-1 all-time in bowl games. SC is 3-9.

The Coogs and 'Cocks have played twice before, last time in 1974, with the Coogs winning both meetings. Steve Spurrier has never lost to the Coogs (1 game with Florida).

All 5 of Carolina's losses are against SEC teams, and all 5 were in the top 25. However, 4 of their 7 wins have come against 2 Sun Belt teams (Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee), a D1-AA team (Wofford) and Vanderbilt.

The Coogs matchup pretty good at the skill positions, if not owning a slight advantage. Their team speed can pretty much hang with anybody. Kevin Kolb has thrown 27 TD's and only 3 int's.

Can't tell you a whole lot about SC 'cause I just haven't seen a lot of 'Cocks football. Blake Mitchell, who missed 5 games this year, will be under center. That takes away the threat of the QB running that they have with Syvelle Newton, but he's probably the better passer. That puts Newton in the position of running and receiving and it's not out of the question that he lines up at QB to try and keep the Coogs off-balanced.

SC averages about 385 yards a game. About 140 of that on the ground.

For the Gamecocks to win this game, they need to try to manhandle the Coogs in the trenches. They'll also need to jump on the Coogs early and often as UH typically starts off slow, makes adjustments at the half, and turns it on in the 2nd half. Defensively they'll have to keep Battle in check and keep pressure on Kolb. If they give him time to hit those speedy receivers, it could be a long day.

For the Cougars to win, they can't get in a hole so big that they can't come back from it. They'll be so much better off if they can keep it close in the 1st half. They'll need to spread out that Carolina D. Hitting some quick outs to the wideouts early and getting good YAC out of it should get them spread out. That will help get Battle rolling and open it up in the middle and over the top.

The UH D is much improved from the last few years, but they can still give up some points. 20 or more points in 9 of their 13 games. This game may come down to whoever has the ball last.

I just hope Briles doesn't try to out-gimmick the ol ballcoach too much. I think the Coogs can be just fine without a bunch of trickery.

This could turn into a shootout of the 41-38 variety. I think both teams will be up for this game. The Coogs trying to get some of their former glory back and the talk of SC being embarrassed in their bowl game last year, I think both teams will be ready to play, so this could be a good one.

26 years between bowl wins is a long time. I really, really hope the Coogs can pull it out. It would be huge for the program.


GO COUGARS!!!!!!!!!!
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