Memphis, TN - Memphis, Tennessee is the site of the Autozone
Liberty Bowl that features the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Houston
Cougars.
While South Carolina's 7-5 overall record is solid, the team finished 3-5
against SEC competition. On a positive note, the Gamecocks did beat a strong
Clemson squad in the regular season finale, and the momentum of that triumph
may carry into this bowl game. South Carolina is set to make its 13th
all-time bowl appearance, and the program is just 3-9 in the previous 12
contests. The Gamecocks lost their first eight bowl games, and they
rallied for three straight victories before losing to Missouri in the 2005
Independence Bowl, 38-31.
As for Houston, it won the Conference USA title with a 7-1 record, and the
team is 10-3 overall. The Cougars are riding a six-game winning streak, and
five of the victories during the current run have come by double figures. Art
Briles took over the Houston program in 2003 when it was two years removed from
an 0-11 season, and he has certainly turned things around. The Cougars are
7-8-1 all-time in bowl games and haven't won a bowl tilt since beating Navy
in the 1980 Garden State Bowl. Considering that a trip to the 2005 Fort Worth
Bowl resulted in a 42-13 loss, a much better effort is both expected and needed
on Friday.
Houston has won both of the previous meetings between these two teams, but the
Gamecocks and Cougars have not squared off since 1974.
South Carolina's Steve Spurrier was a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, and
he expects a great deal from the signal-callers he now coaches. Blake Mitchell
did not get off to a good start for the Gamecocks, and he was replaced by
Syvelle Newton. Now, Mitchell is back under center, and he has completed 70.3
percent of his passes for 1,146 yards with six touchdowns over the last 14
quarters. As for Newton, he started at safety in the game against Clemson and
has the versatility to make an impact on both sides of the ball in this bowl
game. Mitchell's top target in Friday's clash will be sophomore wideout Sidney
Rice, as he has posted 64 catches for 951 yards and nine touchdowns. As good
as those numbers are, they fall short of the figures he recorded as a freshman
a year ago. As for the backfield, Cory Boyd is tops among runners with 729
yards on only 146 carries. Boyd has also caught 77 passes in his career, and
his versatility makes him especially dangerous.
For South Carolina to come out on top in this bowl game, First-Team All-SEC
linebacker Jasper Brinkley will have to dominate play. He has made 96 total
tackles this season, 47 more than his closest teammate. Brinkley has 12.5 TFLs
to his credit and four sacks, and the 258-pound junior never shies away from
contact. Fred Bennett, a sophomore corner, has the ability to lock down the
opposition's best receiver, and he was named Second-Team All-ACC for his
efforts. Opponents are only managing 17.2 ppg and 321.0 total ypg against
South Carolina, which has been fairly solid against both the run and the pass.
The defense has been significantly better on third down this season than last
and 28 sacks have certainly helped the cause. Only once this season has South
Carolina surrendered 30 or more points, so the defense has given the team a
chance to win almost every time out.
The Houston offensive unit is led by quarterback Kevin Kolb, the Conference
USA Offensive Player of the Year, who is that league's all-time leader in
total offense. Kolb, who owns nearly all the career passing records at the
school, has thrown 27 touchdowns with only three interceptions this season.
The versatile signal-caller has also run for four touchdowns, but there are
some talented tailbacks in the fold who handle the rushing load for the most
part. Anthony Alridge's numbers were staggering, as he has gained 904 yards
and eight touchdowns despite the fact that he has carried the ball only 85
times. His average of 10.6 ypg is somewhat comical, as Division I-A players
simply do not achieve such success routinely. As for Jackie Battle, a bruising
runner, he adds 858 yards and 13 touchdowns to the mix. Keep an eye on
receiver Vincent Marshall, as he has caught 71 passes for 778 yards and six
touchdowns. Donnie Avery has five receiving scores to his credit, and Jeron
Harvey has caught four touchdown passes.
Opponents are scoring 21.9 ppg against a Houston team that is yielding 139.9
rushing ypg and 199.2 passing ypg. Of the 33 touchdowns that the club has
allowed to opposing offenses, 16 have come on the ground. The Cougars have
recorded 24 takeaways to date, much more impressive than a modest total of 20
sacks. Houston has allowed at least 30 points on four occasions, so it is hard
to say that the defense has been tough overall. Still, the unit was solid down
the stretch, although it is always overshadowed by Kolb and the offense. Will
Gulley missed one of Houston's 13 games, but he still led the team in tackles
(93) and interceptions (five). Trent Allen was close behind with 92 total
stops, and Phillip Hunt paced the club with 11 TFLs. Both Gulley, the team's
free safety, and linebacker Wake Koehl were recently named First-Team All-
Conference USA selections.
All three of Houston's losses came in succession midway through the season,
and it has been well over two months since the club last tasted defeat. Still,
the edge should go to Spurrier's Gamecocks in this contest, as they will
likely win a close contest.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: South Carolina 27, Houston 24
© 2006 The Sports Network
USA
Your Talkback on this Story