Week 5: Texas A&M

Texas A&M is 4-0 and the Gamecocks are.......not. Texas A&M has wins against UCLA, Auburn, and a good Arkansas team. They come into this week ranked #9 in the nation and have looked the part. What has held the Aggies back in recent years, a porous defense, has been greatly improved by former LSU coordinator John Chavis. This is a game we were competitive in last year but lost 28-35. This year A&M is a much more complete team and totally outclass the Gamecocks at offensive skill positions and defensive end. Considering the difficulties the SC O-line has had with the conference's more inferior defensive lines, I'm expecting Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall to have a good day. This will obviously give the Gamecocks some difficulty in moving the ball, but the biggest issues will be provided by the Gamecocks themselves. Injuries have absolutely decimated an already inexperienced receiving core. Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards are dealing with hamstring issues and are questionable for the game, while Randrecous Davis is definitely out with his on hamstring problems. Given the lack of a receiving threat the Aggies will stack the box and eliminate the remnants of an already non-existent rushing attack. The Gamecocks will play tough on defense, will will give up points as they'll will be on the field most of the game.

This is a game I marked down as a loss in the preseason and everything I have seen so far has reinforced that opinion. We simply don't have the talent to compete with a good SEC West team this year.

Prediction: USC 13 - Texas A&M 28

Check out last year's match-up below: