South Carolina Football: Week 8 Status Check, Plus Three Things You Don't Know About UMass

The 2016 season has been frustrating for Will Muschamp and his South Carolina Gamecocks. On the way to a lukewarm 2-4 record, the SC offense has failed to score more than 20 points in one game as its Quarterbacks, RS Senior Perry Orth and true Freshman Brandon McIlwain have had trouble connecting with receivers such as Redshirt Sophomore Deebo Samuel and another true frosh Bryan Edwards, both of whom have had some injury woes through the first six games. As Carolina emerges from an October 5 bye week and looks ahead to a contest with UMass Amherst on October 22, the projected starting field general is not McIllwain or Orth. Instead the QB could be Freshman Jake Bentley; who arrived early at South Carolina after initially being a 2017 prospect. Bentley is the son of USC running backs coach Bobby Bentley.

Sep 10, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA;South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Brandon McIlwain (11) runs the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

The apparent decision to start the latter QB has not sat well with Brandon Mcllwain’s mother, who in an angry Facebook post, accused the coaching staff of favoring another coach’s son (per The State). Additionally, a couple of Columbia sports radio personalities, discussing the PA product’s situation this week, conceived a possible scenario in which the 18-year-old could shelve his football career in favor of a baseball future. McIllwain also plays on the diamond for USC. Regardless of the signal caller’s predicament, the attention of the Garnet and Black faithful turns to the imminent game against the Minutemen. The team is playing as an FBS Independent after spending its first four seasons at this level as a Mid American Conference member in football only.

Massachusetts left that league in 2015 after spurning an offer for full MAC membership. UMass was once a FCS power, winning the 1998 I-AA National Championship and 22 conference titles in the defunct Yankee and Atlantic 10 and extant CAA. However, their performance at NCAA football’s highest level has been pitiful.

The squad has compiled an 8-40 record since the jump to the FBS in 2012. Mark Whipple, in the third season of his second tenure as head coach, (he was there from 1998-2003, winning the national title in his first year), led the Minutemen to back to back 3-9 seasons in ’14 and ’15.

Sep 3, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain and Massachusetts Minutemen head coach Mark Whipple (right) shake hands at mid field following a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators won 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the grim prognosis for a program which plays select home games at the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium, South Carolina knows full well the dangers of looking past an opponent. The gamecocks came up on the short end of an error-filled contest with the Citadel near the end of a tumultuous 2015 season. The 22-23 loss cost the team a head coaching candidate: Houston’s Tom Herman infamously dubbed the SC job “too big of a challenge” after this game, opting to stay with the Cougars. The team was widely derided in the media for the crushing loss.

No doubt that Muschamp and his staff are not taking the week off as they prepare for the school’s first ever meeting with the UMass Minutemen. Here are three bits of information to ponder ahead of Saturday’s game, which will kick off at noon with the SEC Network televising.

DESPITE THEIR 1-6 MARK, UMASS SCORES MORE THAN USC

Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Nelson Adams (94) tries to sack Massachusetts Minutemen quarterback Andrew Ford (7) during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mississippi State won 47-35. Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Yep, 145 points, including 35 in their loss to Mississippi State. That’s more than SC was able to muster vs MSU. The Minutemen’s pass happy offensive attack is led by QB Andrew Ford. He’s a 1000+ yard passer. Neither McIlwain nor Orth can call themselves this. The aid of WR Andy Isabella and RB Marquis Young has helped UMass click this season. Moreover, each of the teams they have scored over 20 against is ranked in the top 100 nationally in total defense. South Carolina’s unit is tied for 60th. Even though UMass Amherst is a one win team, Travaris Robinson’s unit could find itself in trouble if they choose to sleep on UMass’ attack.

IT”S THEIR DEFENSE THAT GIVES THEM TROUBLE

Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Ashton Shumpert (32) is tackled by Massachusetts Minutemen safety Jesse Monteiro (27) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mississippi State won 47-35. Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The NCAA total defense rankings display UMA at #111, allowing 468 yards per game. The low point came against Louisiana Tech: the Bulldogs scored 50+ on Tom Massella’s outfit. Its weakness is passing, with over 1000 aerial yards gained.. The secondary boasts only returning starter, S Khary Bailey-Smith. Smith is coming off a season ending knee injury. South Carolina could see season high offensive production so long as the unit plays soundly. Then again, UMass’ defense could “click” against USC. Getting Bentley rattled could prove fruitful for UMass.

THEY’RE 0-5 AGAINST THE SEC

Sep 3, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) visits with Massachusetts Minutemen place kicker Logan Laurent (99) after a football game against the at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Massachusetts’ first SEC opponent was Vanderbilt in 2012, losing 49-7 to a Commodore team in the middle of its best era. A 2013 rematch saw VU take a 24-7 W. Then a peculiar moment came in 2014. Mass kicker Blake Lucas missed a game tying FG, handing the ‘Dores a 34-31 victory. Lucas then received a hug from Vanderbilt Offensive Lineman Adam Butler, jubilant over the Vandy win. It was VU’s first triumph that season.

UMass Amherst dropped a 7-24 decision to Florida early this year. UMass hung with Mississippi State before falling by a count of 35-47. South Carolina knows the Minutemen could come into Williams-Brice with a chip on their shoulder. UMass would certainly love a win against SC. The Gamecocks are the final school from the league on UMass’ 2016 slate.

And So In Closing…

If SC is to reverse its fortune, it must have a solid game Saturday. Yes, UMass’ struggles are greater than the Garnet and Black’s own, but in a season that saw Carolina lose its third straight game to Kentucky football. Muschamp and company must know that this team cannot afford to be arrogant. Bentley must start strong in his first ever outing. UMass’ weak defense provides USC’s offense an excellent rebound opportunity. If SC is somehow defeated tomorrow, its chances of making anything out of this season become very, very slim.