South Carolina at No. 16 Arkansas: Roundtable predictions

Life comes at you quick within the SEC, and the South Carolina Gamecocks are already dealing with an early take a look at in Week 2, as they hit the street to tackle No. 16 Arkansas. The Razorbacks are recent off a pleasant win over a then-ranked Cincinnati workforce, and sport one of many convention’s finest quarterbacks within the formidable Okay.J. Jefferson. Right here’s how the GABA gang is feeling about issues.

Kody: Nicely, I’m gonna be sincere – I’m not feeling too nice about this one. Whereas Cincinnati’s 2022 squad is actually not the identical because the one which participated within the 2021 Playoff, that was nonetheless an effective way for Arkansas to start out its season and maintain the robust effort it placed on the sector final yr. The outdated adage says {that a} workforce’s most dramatic enchancment occurs between Week 1 and Week 2, and the Gamecocks higher hope that’s the case – though, in fact, that adage can apply to the Razorbacks, too. Jefferson terrifies me, as he’s just about the Platonic thought of the kind of quarterback who destroys South Carolina, and the Hawgs’ speeding assault bothers me too after Georgia State averaged 5 yards per carry final week. The Arkansas secondary confirmed some softness, although, and with Spencer Rattler underneath middle, South Carolina might be able to take benefit there. Regardless, I feel the Razorbacks are forward of the schedule that USC is making an attempt to get itself on, and can come away with a 31-21 win. My hope is that the Gamecocks can no less than make this a four-quarter recreation and present some toughness on the street.

Brent: As somebody that grew up watching the Gamecocks face Arkansas as their everlasting cross-divisional rival, I don’t know the way to be ok with going to Fayetteville in any sport. Baum Walker Stadium has not been type to the baseball workforce, Bud Walton Area has not been type to the basketball workforce, and Razorback Stadium has been a troublesome venue for the soccer workforce as properly. I assume one good factor is that this recreation is just not in Little Rock the place the Gamecocks are 0-4. Razorback Stadium is a spot that the Gamecocks solely have three wins as properly, sporting a report of 3-4. I nonetheless have nightmares of McFadden, Jones, and Hillis operating wild on the Gamecocks in 2007. Sadly the Razorbacks have a bodily monster on their offense as soon as once more in quarterback KJ Jefferson. I do consider that the Gamecock offense takes a step ahead and appears higher than it did final week and Spencer Rattler has an excellent efficiency on Saturday. One factor South Carolina can not afford to do is accept subject targets, they’ve to attain touchdowns. My query is can the Gamecocks get off to an excellent begin on the street? In 2021, the Gamecocks have been outscored 63-13 within the first quarter of street video games. It will likely be a protracted day if that pattern continues for the Gamecocks. I’ll take the Razorbacks in a 35-27 win. But when the Gamecocks are capable of finding some early success on offense and seize a lead, I consider it is a recreation that they will win.

Matt: My first impression of this matchup is WOW it sucks to switch Auburn within the rotation with enjoying Arkansas this season. It takes a doable win off the board that the Gamecocks might find yourself needing towards the top of the yr. Anyway, I’d give the Cocks extra of an opportunity to emerge victorious if the sport have been at residence, however they’re enjoying what I view as a superior workforce in not best circumstances. The street is a spot that has not been type to South Carolina. The final SEC victory away from Columbia that the Gamecocks achieved, not counting Vanderbilt, was Georgia in 2019. That’s sufficient to persuade me to not take USC on this one, though I’ll change my mindset when that street victory lastly comes. That is South Carolina’s first actual take a look at in 2022, and I’ve them failing it by the rating of 31-13. The Arkansas offense led by KJ Jefferson might be an excessive amount of for the Gamecocks, and I consider the Razorbacks’ entrance seven will put sufficient strain on Rattler to make him uncomfortable all day.

Katie: As regular I’m going to attempt to stability out the realism negativity supplied by the blokes. This recreation will certainly be a problem for South Carolina provided that it’s on the street and Arkansas is, uh, good, however ANY GIVEN SATURDAY, AMIRITE???? If the offense can get issues clicking earlier and extra persistently than they did final week, that might be an enormous assist. I don’t suppose subject targets are gonna win this one, even when Mitch Jeter is sweet from greater than 50 yards out, and whereas two blocked punt scores once more could be very cool, even I can’t envision that taking place, so we’re gonna want a stable contribution of factors from Spencer Rattler and firm plus a robust defensive displaying towards KJ Jefferson and the Arkansas offense. I’m predicting an surprising victory as a result of that’s what I do right here.