Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] On this episode of Cox Talking Gamecocks, the football team is back in action. Garnet and Black Madness. And the women's team is top of college basketball. Okay, here we go.
[00:00:54] Okay.
[00:00:55] Welcome to episode 4415 of Cox Talking Gamecocks. I am your host, Tim Cox, where I will keep every episode from 1801 to 2001. I missed y', all, man. Took a little pause there for the bye week. And I mean, what a hell of a week to not talk about college football. I mean, literally, the world of the SEC was turned on its head last weekend. It was banana land. And it was kind of nice not having to worry about, you know, stressing about our game or anything like that. Literally just sitting back as a fan and watching it. But my goodness. And not to get too into this, but I do think there's a lot of truth to nine games in the sec.
[00:01:42] You know, one bye week this year, there's going to be some chaos, really, I think last weekend, through the. Through the rest of the year, just because teams are beat up, you know, and there's just a lot more parody in the sport, and it's just remarkable. So, yeah, it's crazy to see all that transpire, but now totally ready to lock in and get back into it for the back half of this season.
[00:02:06] I feel re energized and ready to go. I don't know about y'. All. I'm sure the team does as well. That was the perfect time for a bye week where you get a little bit of a mental reset, physically reset, you know, recoup any gambling funds and everything like that. But then you get to say, all right, that was a good way to go into the bye week with some momentum, with that taste of victory in your mouth. And the guys can now continue to come together and continue to self scout and do all those things that you try to do to come out of your bye week healthy and mentally ready to go.
[00:02:44] So I'm very excited to be back with y'. All. Got a few things to touch on before we dive right back into football, starting with a week in review. Only a couple things to go over here. The men's golf team on Monday finished tied for firsts in the Fallen Oak Invitational. Shout out to the men's golf team right there. That's a big W. And then on Wednesday, the men's soccer team. This is the soccer score here. 17 to nothing, 7 nil, as they say on the pitch against Georgia Southern. So shout out to the men's soccer team who have continued to have a really good season and continue to play very well late in the year here. And then, if you hadn't seen, it was the Garnet in Black Madness event at Colonial Life, the, I guess, unofficial tip off of basketball season, if you will. They had both men's and women's team out there doing dunk contests, shooting contests, things like that. It was a really fun event. And then Soulja Boy, the unofficial mascot of Shane Beamer, was out there to perform a concert. I mean, it looked sick. I have not been to a Garnet Black Madness. It's a relatively newer concept that the teams have put on and whatnot. But that was cool. It seemed like there was a lot of energy out there and, yeah, basketball season right around the corner. Crazy to say. It's always a crazy time of year when you get a couple of games in the middle of the week, men's and women's, and then you get Saturdays and it's just bonanza. But it's a great, great time of year. And then speaking of basketball, the women's team was named the top team in the country. They are number one in the preseason AP poll. Shout out, Don Staley. Shout out to the whole team. The top five is South Carolina, UConn, the fake USC, Duke and then Michigan. So going to be very interesting to see how that all shakes out throughout the year. I'm very excited to see this team get back in action. They've reloaded. They are ready to rock. And shout out, shout out, South Carolina, women's basketball.
[00:04:45] But all right, now, turning the page to Saturday afternoon. The football team is back in action, as I said two seconds ago, taking on Tennessee. Tennessee back on the schedule this year, of course. 3:30 Kickoff at home.
[00:05:00] Gamecocks are looking for a top 15 win here as Tennessee is ranked 11th. And look, the first thing that came to everybody's mind when Tennessee had that win over Alabama, they're coming in here with a lot of momentum.
[00:05:14] Everyone's thinking of 2022 and a hot Tennessee team coming into Williams Bryce with playoff aspirations, South Carolina unranked, kind of having a middle of the road year.
[00:05:28] Everybody is trying to make that connection there. And while that result a couple of years ago has no bearing on what happens this Saturday, I think it just shows that any man and any team can be beat in any given circumstance, right? Like, it is the definition of why you play the games. And Shane Beamer was asked, like, do you bring that up at all? He said, no, not really. I think he even said that it was. Peyton Williams is probably the only player on the team who was even on the team at that time. But I think that's what the message should be is that, hey, like when you come to Williams, Bryce, you can't take anything for granted. Right now we are off a buy, we're rested, we're starting to maybe come together a little bit here and you know, let's see what we can do in this matchup here. And speaking of that, when you look at the injury report, Gamecocks are as healthy as they've been in a very long time, particularly in the defensive front. You're going to have Dylan Stewart back off suspension, level headed. You have Gabe Brown, Londy, he's back, we missed him. And then Julian Walker as well. And those guys are going to be absolutely needed. Because when you look at Tennessee this year, it's a little different than in years past. Like in the past, you think of Tennessee as this high flying, up tempo, spread you out type of offense.
[00:06:56] And while they still will do a lot of that and they're going to want to take their shots, this Tennessee team has been built on defense and the run game. And that's something that you haven't really said in congruent incongruence. Sat word. I don't know. In. Together. Yeah, right. When Tennessee, particularly the defense, like they have been a top defense in the sec, they do a really good job of shutting down the run. They do a really good job of getting to the quarterback. And when you look at what they've done in SEC play, they've held their opponents to 20 or less. And it's been very impressive to see so a different type of Tennessee coming into this, coming into this matchup here. But you know, you have a South Carolina team that again is healthy, is rested. And thinking back on that Florida game, I think you started to see an offense particularly, but maybe a defense as well, that just finally started to gel.
[00:07:58] And you talk about guys trusting one another. I think Lenoris, the last couple of games, Kentucky and Florida, when he was playing better, I think really started to maybe buy into the system more. Maybe he had some scars from 2025 of trying to do too much holding on to the ball. And I think Briles is gonna have his hands full with this game plan. But I think the plan is going to be, hey, we're gonna try and we're gonna move quickly, we're gonna get the ball out of your hands effectively and we're gonna try to stay ahead of the chains Here and you don't have to do too much. So it's a very interesting spot here for both of these teams, really, but particularly for South Carolina to see if we can go ahead and continue the momentum that we saw. It's interesting too coming off of the buy because I had this notion that South Carolina under Beamer has been really good after the buy and I forget where I read it, but Effectively the team is 400, 400, 500, 500. Like there they were 2, 0 after the buy in his first two years and then I think there was two losses and then in the year where there was two by weeks, he won one and lost one. So give or take a game in either direction, it's essentially 500.
[00:09:17] So that is interesting. But I'll take the team that's coming off of the buy over the team in Tennessee that's playing their eighth straight game now and it's four, four in a row prior to this game. So this is their fifth SEC game in a row. And when you look at what happened around the SEC this past weekend, some people are saying that that kind of stuff is to blame. Auburn was coming off of a buy when they played Georgia. That was on the road nonetheless here. So very interesting to think about nonetheless. And what's even more interesting to think about here and is the betting line in this one where when the lines came out last week, it was Tennessee. I think it was a 1 to 2 point favorite depending on where you looked over the course of the week. Really, like Monday or Tuesday it flipped and South Carolina now is sitting at a two point favorite, which I don't know what to make of that. You know, like people are saying that's a trap and Vegas is just trying to get money on, you know, on the Gamecocks because Tennessee is the better team and everything like that. I don't really know. But I was thinking about it today and there's a difference between the betting line and saying like, what team you know, is maybe better, so to speak, right? Tennessee is 6 and 1. South Carolina's 3 and 3.
[00:10:41] Traditional logic would say like, yeah, maybe Tennessee has the upper hand in this one. But I think all things considered, at home off the buy, Lenoris is playing well. We can run the ball effectively.
[00:10:53] All of these things maybe lean, like, hey, in this particular instance, in this game in Columbia, maybe, just maybe South Carolina is a slight favorite here. So it's very interesting to see and you know, it feels like it's going to be one of those games that is tight These matchups against Tennessee the last 10 years or so, there's a couple of blowouts in either side, but most of them have been close. Most of the matchups favor the home team. So history tells you it's going to be a close game.
[00:11:25] Leading the Gamecocks away. But let me jump into my crows to the game here. This will be posted on Garnet and Cocky as well. Go check that out. My content. And the rest of the teams. But defensively, starting out first Crow to the game is be stout in the interior. Okay? The last time South Carolina faced Tennessee, it was again this high powered, high flying offense, right?
[00:11:53] Tennessee is second in the SEC in rushing, ironically to South Carolina.
[00:11:59] They have their bell cow RB1. This is the guy that does all the work for them, desean Bishop. It's him and his carries. And then it's a. It falls off a cliff until whoever the hell the next guy is.
[00:12:11] Again, the Gamecocks defensive front is at full strength essentially for the first time all season. I think maybe Mississippi State this applies.
[00:12:22] But Stewie was on a pitch count then that doesn't really count. And you saw what he did against Florida.
[00:12:28] So this group up front, particularly the defensive line and the linebackers as well, they need to win their individual battles. You. You need to limit Tennessee's ability to control the line of scrimmage and thus the run game. So I'm putting a lot of this on that defensive front. Now Tennessee is going to take some shots, all right? And I'm going to get into their quarterback in two seconds here. Like, I believe that's in Hypo's DNA. Like they're going to try and catch you.
[00:12:59] It's just not what they've been doing hand over fist like they were last year. So there's still going to be a lot of pressure on this defensive backfield.
[00:13:09] A defensive backfield that as times have been exposed, but also a backfill that's coming off of a good game.
[00:13:15] Which leads me to my second crow here.
[00:13:18] Generate multiple turnovers. Multiple.
[00:13:21] And it's funny because this was something that we talked about earlier in the year and it just didn't happen. I just felt like I was like crossing my fingers and wishing for this to happen. But now it feels like maybe Clayton White's defense is coming together and they're playing their style, which is aggressive, getting to the quarterback and generating turnovers as a result.
[00:13:44] And I think that could be a result of having everybody healthy. But you finally saw this team create turnovers in a meaningful game. And of course, like, you can't count on this, but Tennessee's quarterback, George McIntyre has thrown at least one interception in his last two games.
[00:14:02] And you look at his numbers like they're ass.
[00:14:04] They had their big time freshman go in early in the year, then he got banged up and then they swapped to McIntyre, like, I'm pretty sure he's healthy and they're just going with, I believe He's a sophomore, McIntyre. But he has not looked good and I don't think either of them have looked great and that's why they've been leaning on the run game so much. But chances are he's going to make a mistake and you have to capitalize on that.
[00:14:30] And again, this is a Tennessee team that's playing their eighth straight game. Fifth is going to be their fifth SEC game. They're coming off playing Alabama, a game that, you know, went into that fourth quarter physical game.
[00:14:43] So these guys are being banged up.
[00:14:46] Do they, do they show some fatigue on the field?
[00:14:49] But you have to be able to generate multiple turnovers because it's going to be tough sledding offensively. So you have to give Lenores and the team every advantage that you possibly can.
[00:15:02] And look like while that team and defense rather looked good against Florida, there were a handful of plays that maybe against a team like Tennessee that has some dudes out there on the outside, like those could be really bad.
[00:15:18] So you have to really, really reel that in. Limit the bus. I could put that as a, as a third crow, right?
[00:15:26] This is the time where you got to really come together. As Cam Smith said, when they play Tennessee, just drop your nuts like it's time to do that. This defense has to impose their will on this Tennessee team.
[00:15:39] Offensive crows to the game here. First off, alluded to it earlier. Get the ball out quickly, okay? The Vols are first in the SEC in sacks and their new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, like, he's been around and everywhere he's been, this dude is lights out. Like, I knew this hire was going to be good when they made it. I didn't think it was going to be this good in year one and I hate that we have to face him now.
[00:16:05] So it's going to be imperative to keep Lenoris upright and then he himself, Lenoris has to be sharp in his decision making. He talked about trusting the, the system, trusting the receivers.
[00:16:17] You seeing that more and more like, okay, now is like kind of the pinnacle of this, like, trust your reads, trust your guys, put the ball on him and let the chips fall. Where they may.
[00:16:28] But Briles has to have these quick passes drawn up and have this offense prepared to move with a little bit of tempo and to try stay ahead of the chains, avoid the pass rush. I, I would not be surprised if you saw a healthy dose of screenshots, bubble screens and running back screens both. Would not be surprised if you saw a lot of throws to the flat. Briles doesn't use his tight ends a ton like that, but wouldn't surprise me if you saw that, you saw some crossing routes, jet sweeps, things of that nature. I would just imagine to see some of those, those quick pass games as well. And then it's kind of funny because my second crow to the game here is establish the run.
[00:17:09] Okay. That's what this team does this year.
[00:17:13] You know, like, yes, it's fun to take the deep shots and we've connected on a few and there was some nice passes into the end zone, you know, in that fringe red zone area last weekend. This is a running team. We're leading the SEC in rush yards. Like that's not an accident. Okay. The entire running back group is, is stacked. But if you want to talk about the top two guys, Fuller and Coleman are phenomenal. They complement each other incredibly well. And then Lenoris himself is a weapon on the ground and so that is makes it difficult for the defense to key in on anybody. South Carolina can key in on Tennessee's running back, Bishop.
[00:17:57] Right.
[00:17:58] He's really good. You know, keying in doesn't necessarily mean you're going to stop him, but it just is hard for the defense to, you know, dial in like if Coleman comes in, like it's not necessarily indicative of what's going to happen in that play. Right.
[00:18:13] And while the Tennessee defense has led for their team and it's been tough sledding in the SEC to go against them, you have to just lean on what's worked for you this season. And so that is running the ball, utilizing the rpo, letting Sellers be an athlete. And it could be slow going at first. Like I have multiple games. I feel like every year where I say you have to establish the run and establishing the run, it's important, but it's sometimes just not pretty to look at and sometimes you do go three and out. But if you stick with can open things up and when you have such a talented group like South Carolina, I believe that something's going to crack. And then furthermore, you know, you can talk about the athleticism of Keelan Russell at Alabama that Tennessee just played that's a young quarterback.
[00:19:10] Lenores is a veteran quarterback. That's why it has been frustrating at times with his play. But he has seen a lot. He knows what to look for. And I believe when you talk about RPOs or if he is given the ability to maybe slide some protection one way or another, that I think is something that maybe this Tennessee defense necessarily hasn't faced to this point.
[00:19:35] Right? So that is an X factor as well. I mean, who's the best quarterback Tennessee has played? Arch jury's out on him, Right? So I think all of these things can come together and it just boils down to if this team continues to come together and plays up to their ability. We have seen that you can jump out on some of these better teams in the sec.
[00:20:04] The question is, can you continue to keep your foot on the gas? This is a perfect opportunity for South Carolina to go into this game, put their foot on the gas and really shake things up in the sec. I'm so excited for this matchup. It's going to be a blast.
[00:20:19] But buckle up.
[00:20:23] It's going to be a battle. But all right, let me give you all my six pack of picks and then I will get you all out of here really quick here in the ACC, give me Pitt plus 14 and a half versus Miami. Actually that's 19 and a half. Can't read my own handwriting. In the Big 12 Oklahoma State minus 13 and a half versus Colorado Big 10 Rutgers versus Northwestern 58 and a half SEC A&M versus Bama under 50 and a half and Vandy versus Kentucky over 52 and a half and then in the group of five Northern Illinois plus four and a half versus Hawaii.
[00:20:59] But all right y', all, that wraps up this episode. Please follow me on social media, Twitter or X is Cox Gamecox. Instagram is just the name of the show. Cox Talking Gamecocks. And please like subscribe and review the podcast. I appreciate all y' all go Cox.
