Breaking it down: Nebraska vs SC

Nebraska and South Carolina meet in the Capital One Bowl  with SC currently a 2.5 point favorite at most books. Nebraska is one of the storied programs in NCAA football and Steve Spurrier has yet to beat the Cornhuskers. Let's take a more detailed look at this one.

MOTIVATION: Both teams had hopes of winning their conference and even playing in the NCG, but both fell short. SC is trying to break the school record for wins after having tied the 1984 team record with 10. Nebraska is trying to erase memories of a lackluster performance in last year's Holiday Bowl, losing 19-7 to Washington. The Capital One is arguably the top bowl outside of the BCS bowls so both teams should be able to get excited about this matchup. EDGE: EVEN

BOWL HISTORY: Steve Spurrier has struggled recently in bowl games, losing 3 straight. Last year SC lost 26-17 to Florida State in the Chick-fil-A bowl. Bo Pelini is 3-1 in bowl games with his only loss coming last year. EDGE: NEBRASKA

2011 SCHEDULES / RESULTS: Nebraska finished 9-3 in what must be described as a disappointing debut in the Big 10. Many experts picked the Cornhuskers to win the conference, but blowout losses to Wisconsin (48-17) and Michigan (45-17) proved Nebraska was not a true contender for the Rose Bowl. In between those losses was a surprising 28-25 upset loss to Northwestern. Nebraska had one very impressive win, beating Michigan State 24-3 in late October. Other significant wins came against Ohio State (34-27) and Penn State (17-14). South Carolina went 10-2 this season, capping the year off with an impressive 34-13 pounding of in-state rival Clemson. The two losses came to Auburn (16-13) and Arkansas (44-28). Other wins of note came against Georgia (45-42), Vandy (21-3), MS State(14-12), Tennessee (14-3), and Florida (17-12). It should be noted that SC did not play LSU or Alabama. Overall, the Gamecocks had a very impressive year, while Nebraska was unimpressive except in the Michigan State win. EDGE: SOUTH CAROLINA

INJURIES: Nebraska is saddled with several minor injuries, but the most significant ones are DT Jared Crick, who is out for the season, and star RB Rex Burkhead, who is nursing a tender ankle but is listed as "probable" for the Capital One Bowl. South Carolina lost All-American RB Marcus Lattimore for the season when he injured his knee in week 7 vs MS State. The 'Cocks have gone 4-1 since that point, however. DE Jadeveon Clowney is listed as "questionable" for the bowl game with a concussion. SLIGHT EDGE: NEBRASKA

OFFENSE: Both offenses average about 30 points per game. Nebraska has the better run offense, led by Burkhead and QB Taylor Martinez. The Cornhuskers average 223.9 YG on the ground, but only 166.6 YPG passing. Matinez has thrown for 1973 yeards on the season with 12 TDs and 7 int's. The Gamecocks are more balanced, averaging 177.4 YPG on the ground and 198 YPG through the air. Soph QB Conner Shaw has shown steady improvement since taking over for Stephen Garcia, who was dismissed from the team halfway through the season. Shaw has passed for 1218 yards with 12 TDs and 6 int's. Both offenses struggled against good teams, as Nebraska was held below 20 pts 3 times, and SC was held below 20 pts 4 times, although they faced tougher defensive teams. EDGE: EVEN

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Gamecocks weak spot is their special teams both in coverage and in returns. The South Carolina coverage unit has been spotty at times, and this does not bode well for them on paper against Nebraska as they rank eighth in the nation in kickoff returns with a good special teams squad. BIG EDGE: NEBRASKA

SUMMARY: This is not a good matchup for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers depend on establishing the running game to set up an occasional pass by Martinez. The SC defense is simply too fast and athletic for this to happen, and will force Nebraska into several 3rd and long situations. This does not bode well for the Cornhuskers as Martinez will be pressured into turnovers. South Carolina is highly motivated to achieve their first ever 11 win season, and Steve Spurrier would love to snap a 3 game losing streak in bowls. Nebraska will need to score at least 2 TDs on special teams or defense to win this game. Although that is possible, I like SC to win the game by 10-14 points. PICK: SOUTH CAROLINA -2.5

Super Chicken

Quote Originally Posted by chvatalas:

Great write up first of all. But we hear this every single year that Nebraska plays an SEC school or one from the south who has better team speed than Nebraska and more times than not the Huskers come up with the victory. 

Okay that may be true, but I still think that this year SC's D is too good for Nebraska to establish a consistent running game.  Just my opinion but I have much respect for Nebraska and their program.  

Most people would take Conner Shaw over Garcia, especially they way he has improved.  His recent stats are better than Garcia's.

Would someone mind grading or analyzing the VT/Michigan game?

Thanks

here let me try this:

COACHING:  Nebraska is coached by Bo Pellini....  HUGE EDGE: SOUTH CAROLINA

INJURIES: Nebraska is saddled with several minor injuries, but the most significant ones are DT Jared Crick, who is out for the season, and star RB Rex Burkhead, who is nursing a tender ankle but is listed as "probable" for the Capital One Bowl. South Carolina lost All-American RB Marcus Lattimore for the season when he injured his knee in week 7 vs MS State. The 'Cocks have gone 4-1 since that point, however. DE Jadeveon Clowney is listed as "questionable" for the bowl game with a concussion. SLIGHT EDGE: NEBRASKA

Jadeveon Clowney is going to play.  I live in Columbia and follow the South Carolina football program closely.  There has been no talk of Clowney not playing.  Starting OG Terrence Cambell likely will not play, but the gamecocks are getting back starting LT Kyle Nunn.  Nunn has been out since the fourth game of the season.