This week we actually ran across the mine field laden no man’s land that is the tension of the Clemson/Sakerlina rivalry and traded super secret, feignedly barbed, double secret probation questions with Garnet And Black Attack over at SB Nation. I’ve got hate in my heart, but them folks is cordial-assed people. I’ll bite my tongue. Our answers over there.

1) Can you offensive troubles be solely placed on your offensive line this year? If yes, we need a reason. Surely it still takes a team effort to reflect a bad final score. How do they match up against our defensive line?

No. The offensive line is part of the problem and is perhaps the biggest one, but it’s not the only problem. In fact, I think the offensive line is much better than a year ago, particularly when blocking the run. Pass protection continues to be a problem, but is also in general more competent than last year. The line also commits way too many penalties, which along with the sacks has often stunted drives.

We have other problems, though. The play calling has gotten a lot of press lately, and I’m in the camp that believes it has been suspect. I would like to see us commit more to the run. Spurrier and his staff said this would be a focus this year, and to some degree it has been, as we have a better running game than a year ago. However, we seem to abandon the run completely at times, and I’ve been disappointed that Spurrier hasn’t founded ways to get speedsters Jarvis Giles and Bryce Sherman opportunities to carry the ball. I also don’t like our tendency to go straight for the big play every time we cross midfield. Don’t get me wrong; I think a well-timed 40-yard fade is a great idea. However, at least since Alshon Jeffrey emerged as our top receiver, we seem to go for the big play every single time we get within striking distance. Teams know it’s coming now, so they know to have their safeties on alert and to blitz Garcia hard. In these situations, we seem to completely forget not only about the run but also about our mid-range passing game, particularly our talented TE Wesley Saunders.

Field position has also affected this team’s ability to score. Our defense is good, but, unlike a year ago, it doesn’t force many turnovers. Our return units are also very average, again unlike a year ago. That has contributed to a situation in which an offense that is seemingly better than the one we had a year ago has failed to score as much as last year’s version did.

Not all Gamecocks fans will agree with everything I’ve just said. Some will blame our failures on offensive line play and lack of execution. My two cents, though, are that Spurrier and his staff have improved the offense in some ways but are still failing to maximize its potential, particularly when we get in scoring position, which is when it counts. I should stress, though, that we have often moved the ball much better than the score would suggest, and a few more plays here and there could have made a major difference in our year. That means that success could be right around the corner. I feel like I’ve had to say that too many times over the past few years, though, so I’ll believe it when I see it.

2) What’s the number one thing about your team that we have to worry about come Saturday? Who’s the game changing player?

I’m going to say our push on the defensive line. If we’re getting pressure on Kyle Parker and getting to C. J. Spiller before he gets to the line of scrimmage, it could be a long day for your offense. When we’ve been able to do this, such as against N. C. State, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Florida, our defense has been really tough. When we haven’t, though, it’s much more pedestrian. The guys to watch here Eric Norwood (of course), Clifton Geathers, and Cliff Matthews.

3) Statistically, you guys have some of the worst kickoff/punt coverage teams in the nation. Do you think Spurrier’s game plan involves kicking directly at Spiller since he’s so stubborn?

I hope not, but maybe. Shane Beamer said that we didn’t have any special plans for dealing with Spiller this weekend, that we were just going to try to do the basics well, play good coverage, fill our lanes, etc. I hope that’s just coach speak. Even teams with good coverage units should plan around players like Spiller, and a team with questionable units should be extra careful. We’ll see what we actually do. I will say that we’ve been playing a little better on coverage over the last few games than we did at the beginning of the year, so there’s that.

4) I want your honest opinion. I’ve noticed that there are a few Gamecocks making a case against CJ Spiller. Why is this happening? Spiller is one of the most dangerous players in all of college football and he’s changed our future through his play this season. What’s the problem? Is it the fact that he’s less likely to be doing rails off of the trophy sometime later in his life that disturbs your fan base? Get it? Get it? A George Rogers joke! Get it?

Personally, I think Spiller has a quality case for the Heisman. As you say, he’s one of the most dangerous players in the game, and he contributes in so many ways. I think it’s a serious blow to the Heisman’s credibility that he’s not getting more of a look. It says a lot about the Heisman, really; basically, what you’re seeing is that a greater burden of proof is being placed on Spiller than on name-brand guys like Tim Tebow, who is clearly having an inferior season, IMO. The Heisman should be about rewarding the best player in the game, not the guy that ESPN plasters all over their website. Sadly, that’s not the case.

As far as why some Gamecocks disrespect Spiller, I guess it’s just the nature of rivalry. Lots of people just hate to see their rivals succeed. You might have also heard that there are lots of Gamecocks fans that don’t think the ACC is up to par with the other major conferences. Some of the Spiller-hatred comes from that angle, from the idea that Spillers’ numbers are inflated because he plays weak competition. Personally, I disagree with this idea. The ACC has lacked an elite team for some time now, but from where I’m sitting, the conference has a fairly deep set of teams that are pretty good even if they’re not national title contenders. I think some Gamecocks fans console themselves with the idea that being in the SEC makes us better than ACC teams. I’d prefer to console myself with actual wins over those teams, particularly Clemson, when and if those wins start coming.

5) Put into words for us what a win against us would do for you guys.

I think this team–and particularly its coach–needs a good showing in this game to earn back the respect of parts of the fanbase. Another debacle like last year’s, and I think you’ll see a lot of fans lose faith in Spurrier.

More to the point, if we win we’ll go crazy and burn down Five Points. Seriously; I will have the worst headache in the history of mankind Sunday morning if we win. Any win against a rival is a cause for celebration and since we haven’t won many games against you guys lately we’ll have all the more reason to throw down.