South Carolina was down in the fourth quarter to Old Dominion a week ago. The concerns for the program are very real, but there’s no more time to work out the kinks. SEC play begins today and we enter the must-win part of the schedule. The Gamecocks are set to face seven ranked opponents this season. A win against Kentucky will put them on the right path to extend their season and likely Shane Beamer’s tenure in Columbia. Let’s take a look at the keys of the game today.

1. Improve Run Blocking

Easier said than done. Against a Sun Belt team a week ago, Rocket Sanders’ average point of contact was just .68 yards. Considering that fact, his 3.7 yards per carry actually looks impressive. Overall, improved line play is needed, but the Gamecock front needs to focus on what it can control. It is much easier to build momentum through the rushing attack. Throughout the course of a game, you can wear down a defensive front and then the playbook opens up. Force the defense to think run and that will help the rest of the offense.

2. Limit Vandagriff on the Ground

Brock Vandagriff has one career start to his name and what I was most surprised by was his ability to run the football. He is a talented passer no doubt, but he can hurt you with his feet. Kentucky’s first points of the season were generated by Vandagriff’s ability to escape the pocket and find his man down field. He averaged seven yards per carry and looked to run through defenders. That may be a long term concern for his health, but it tells me he is not scared to put his head down and pick up necessary yards. South Carolina has been burned in the past by unexpected rushing performances from quarterbacks. We saw last week, our defense allowed a long run through the middle due to not controlling the rushing lanes. Containing Vandagriff comes down to our defensive line controlling the edge and keeping their assignments. If they’re able to take away the quarterback rushing variable, it’ll make life much easier on the rest of the defense.

3. Red Zone Efficiency

South Carolina was #15 in the country last season in Red Zone Efficiency. That is mostly thanks to veteran decision making by Spencer Rattler and the awareness to utilize big targets in those situations. LaNorris has key weapons available, he just needs to trust his guys to make plays. Sellers tucked the ball and absorbed a sack when ODU sent a Cover 0 blitz last week in the red zone. Instead, I’d like to see him fire it over the middle to his tight end, Simon, and give him a chance to make a play in one-on-one coverage. You start building that threat along with a 220 pound Rocket in the backfield, that will be your recipe for success.

The fact of the matter is, the Gamecocks are a two score underdog on the road to Lexington today. A lot will need to go their way, but this is no Alabama. Talent wise, they match up well with Kentucky. This one will ultimately come down to execution and who can force the other team to make mistakes.