SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic gave his weekly breakdown of every SEC matchup on Cube Show, and this week he focused on South Carolina’s 38-10 victory over South Carolina State. Cubelic, who will be on the sidelines for Saturday’s road game against Vanderbilt, shared his perspective on the Gamecocks’ performance, highlighting both positives and areas for concern.
On the win and offensive line play
“South Carolina gets a win, I don’t know how much we’re taking from this one, 38-10,” Cubelic began. “I will say this, the o-line’s playing hard. 78 (Trovon Baugh) plays hard. The center’s (Boaz Stanley) a good little player now.
“Like he can get over there and reach like a head up two or three technique in pass pro. He’s a really good helper in pass pro. He plays with his eyes, which I love. So he’ll sit here and his eyes go out here. He doesn’t take his body all the way out here and leave his guard on an island. Like, he’s got great awareness, understands how to do things in pass pro and be able to help out.”
Still, Cubelic noted that the group isn’t consistently moving defenders in the run game. “It’s not collectively a group that’s getting a lot of movement right now. So the traditional run game is not really there. So they’re gonna lean on (LaNorris) Sellers, which to an extent is fine. He can handle it. I do like how Mike (Shula) is using his tight ends, moving them east-west, giving some different read plays. The simple high percentage throws are there… He’s got some RPO stuff in there for Sellers.”
On the passing game
Cubelic pointed out that Sellers still needs refinement with his throws.
“Sellers I do think needs to calm down on some of the throws. Like he gets really amped up on a lot of very simple high percentage throws. I think he can up the completion percentage there a little bit.”
He also emphasized the need for more reliable receivers. “Some of the receivers have just got to keep stepping up. Like I think we know that you’ve got a big physical freak show wide receiver that can run past everybody, but he’s not gonna be your overly reliable like third down option.
“So is (Mazeo) Bennett gonna step up? Can (Vandrevius) Jacobs continue to step up? Like, they’ve gotta find more consistency at the wide receiver position. It can’t just be all on tight ends. Cause I do think some of the tight ends are doing good things, but like that can’t be your go-to options in the passing game 80, 75 percent of the time, it’s just not gonna work out that way.”
On Sellers’ growth and Vanderbilt’s defense
Despite areas to improve, Cubelic praised Sellers’ ability to impact games.
“But Sellers knows how to take games over. Like, I’m a little concerned about him waving the ball around in the pocket like, you know the Eric Dickerson thing, and then late throw aways, like go ahead and throw it away, live to fight another day.
“Those are things that are gonna come though. I think he’ll grow into a few of those things. With this opponent, I’m not concerned about it, but like this week with Vandy, they got some dudes that can attack off the edge now and they’re gonna get there in a hurry, so that could be an issue.”
On the defense
Cubelic was encouraged by the Gamecocks’ defensive play, particularly in the secondary.
“Defensively, this secondary is gonna cover a lot up and allow them to do some things up front that can help generate a rush. Like Dylan Stewart was great in this game. Bryan Thomas, man like that kid just plays hard. Once again another guy been in the system, been in the scheme, knows it, understands it so he can go out there and help you do some different things and not have to over communicate.
“(Justin) Okoronkwo I thought was good at linebacker. I think the linebackers are playing physical, playing downhill… But it’s evident to me that what DQ Smith, some of the guys do on the back end, it’s gonna cover a lot up. Because you got pass rushers and I know the offseason emphasis was finding ways to free up pass rushers that get double-teamed. We’ll talk about that.”
On special teams and what comes next
Cubelic closed by praising South Carolina’s ability to flip games with special teams.
“38-10, you get the win over South Carolina State. You handle your business, you come out of halftime, put a couple touchdowns up, you feel good about that.
“And special teams have been massive. You got a returner that’s special now, he’s different, he changes the game. So you start to build around that. Now you can’t lean on it and expect it every game but that’s something that either flipping in the field or putting points on the board, momentum plays can be huge with.”
The Gamecocks now turn their focus to Vanderbilt as they look to improve to 3-0.
