Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

South Carolina (6-3, 3-3 SEC) at Arkansas (4-4, 1-4)

Five story lines

November to remember | Steve Spurrier went on the defensive this week, bristling at the suggestion that last week's loss at Tennessee might be the start of another late-season swoon. Spurrier pointed out all the young players seeing action for the Gamecocks, and said his team would be an underdog in each of its remaining three games. USC will try to avoid going 0-4 in road conference games with a win in Fayetteville.

Air show | With the SEC's two top passing offenses squaring off, most are expecting a wide-open, high-scoring game at Razorback Stadium. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, the transfer from Michigan, leads the SEC with 2,148 passing yards and 18 touchdown throws. USC's Stephen Garcia is behind him with 2,094 yards, and will take aim at a Razorbacks' defense ranked among the nation's worst against the pass.

Rip it and pick it | USC's defense has gone two weeks without forcing a turnover, and has 13 takeaways this season, tied for next to last in the SEC. The Gamecocks have dropped a number of interceptions, but will get a lot of chances for picks against Arkansas, which averages 34 passes a game.

Kick it away | After nine games, the Gamecocks' SEC-worst kickoff team remains a sore spot. USC kicker Adam Yates has one touchback, while the Gamecocks have allowed two returns for touchdowns covering 99 and 100 yards. That does not bode well against the Razorbacks, who lead the conference with a 27.5-yard kick return average. Yates would be wise to kick away from Ryan Johnson, third in the league at 29.1 yards per return.

Banged-up defense | Facing an Arkansas team averaging 49 points in Fayetteville, this is a bad week for USC to be missing two defensive starters. Cliff Matthews, who has five sacks and eight tackles for loss, is out with a shoulder injury. Safety Chris Culliver, the team's third-leading tackler, was left off the travel team because of a shoulder injury and a disciplinary issue. The defense was banged-up for its 2007 trip to Fayetteville, when Darren McFadden tied an SEC single-game record with 321 rushing yards.

Key matchup

Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett vs. USC safety Akeem Auguste

About Auguste | The sophomore from Florida shifts from cornerback to free safety this week to replace Culliver. The 5-10, 180-pound Auguste played both positions as a freshman before focusing on corner this season after the departures of Carlos Thomas, Captain Munnerlyn and Stoney Woodson.

How he'll win the matchup | Auguste is an aggressive player who ranks among USC's top seven tacklers despite missing three games due to suspension. In limited action last season, Auguste was not afraid to sacrifice his body for a big hit on a receiver. But with Mallett's strong arm, Auguste must be careful not to let the Razorbacks' wideouts get behind him.

Key number | 2 - number of USC free safeties sidelined for the game; backup Jarrett Burns (finger) also is out.

About Mallett | The redshirt sophomore leads the SEC in passing yards (268.5) and total offense (268.6) and is second behind Florida's Tim Tebow in passing efficiency. The 6-foot-7 Mallett, who played one season at Michigan before transferring, is a pure pocket passer who is not afraid to take chances downfield. Mallett has thrown a touchdown in every game and leads the conference with 18 touchdown passes.

How he'll win | With a 400-yard passing game against Georgia, Mallett proved he can exploit an overmatched secondary. The key for Mallett will be getting rid of the ball in time against a USC defense that will try to come after him with All-SEC linebacker Eric Norwood and others.

Key number | 658 - days Mallett went between games after transferring from Michigan before his debut against Missouri State on Sept.5.

Injury report

South Carolina | DE Cliff Matthews (shoulder), FS Chris Culliver (shoulder), FS Jarrett Burns (finger) and OT Jarriel King (concussion) are out.

Arkansas | CB Ramon Broadway (hamstring) is questionable; RB Michael Smith (hamstring) is probable.