What a win over South Carolina would mean for Texas A&M; plus, a closer look at Jake Bentley

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Things to know for South Carolina vs. Texas A&M

SEC Country’s Randy Capps breaks down 5 items of note in preparation for upcoming South Carolina-Texas A&M game.

Capps takes a closer look at what a win would mean for Kevin Sumlin and the Aggies.

“He’s never lost to the Gamecocks, either, and their injuries — to receiver Deebo Samuel, linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams and the aforementioned woes on the offensive line — have them looking a bit less stout on paper than they did a few weeks ago,” Capps wrote.

“A win Saturday night would mean four wins in a row and a spotless 2-0 start to league play before Alabama comes calling on Oct. 7.”

Perspective on Jake Bentley

SEC Country’s Hale McGranahan takes a look back at Jake Bentley’s ascent to South Carolina’s starting quarterback, from his exciting debut as a freshman to the first four games of his sophomore season.

“There were plenty of ups [Tennessee, Missouri, South Florida] and downs [Florida, Clemson] through those seven games in 2016,” McGranahan wrote. “It’s safe to say, after four games in 2017, the roller coaster has started to level off a bit.”

Despite the South Carolina offense looking sluggish the past two weeks, fans have to be encouraged by Bentley and the entire unit’s performance in the Gamecocks’ 17-16 comeback win over Louisiana Tech.

Ranking the SEC QBs

The Week 5 edition of Alex Martin Smith’s SEC QB Rankings has Bentley at No. 9. The sophomore quarterback was No. 7 in the Week 4 rankings.

“Jake Bentley has been almost painfully average this season and his offensive unit especially has lacked firepower since Deebo Samuel’s injury,” Smith wrote. “The Gamecocks are particularly impotent in the red zone, where they’re finishing with a touchdown just 44 percent of the time.”

Bentley will face off against the conference’s No. 6-ranked quarterback on Saturday, Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond.

TJ Brunson stepping up

South Carolina linebacker TJ Brunson leads the SEC in total tackles with 42, trailing only Texas A&M’s Armani Watts in solo tackles, according to John Del Bianco of The Big Spur.

Brunson and fellow LB Skai Moore have caught the eye of Sumlin.

“Their linebackers, Brunson and Moore, those guys will clean up everything, run sideline to sideline and make plays, fill gaps, blitz sometimes,” Sumlin said of the South Carolina duo.

Recruiting guests for Gamecocks’ next home game

The Gamecocks are expecting visits from 2018 safety and Florida State commit Israel Mukuamu, as well as two 4-star Class of 2019 prospects, on Oct. 7 when they play Arkansas at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Mukuamu will be on an official visit. Class of 2019 4-star offensive tackle Warren McClendon and 4-star defensive end Ani Izuchukwu will be among the unofficial visitors.

“More names will be added over the next 7-10 days, but the Arkansas game is already shaping up to be a big-time recruiting event for Muschamp & Co.,” McGranahan wrote.

The state’s top basketball prospects for 2019

There’s more basketball talent in the Palmetto State than Class of 2018 5-star small forward Zion Williamson.

South Carolina boasts four 4-star prospects and one 5-star prospect in the Class of 2019, according to the 247Sports composite. All five players have been offered by the Gamecocks.

Christian Brown of Columbia headlines the group, rated by 247Sports as the No. 18 overall prospect for 2019. The 5-star small forward already boasts offers from South Carolina, Auburn, Baylor and Kansas, among others.

More love for Bryan Edwards

South Carolina wide receiver Bryan Edwards has filled in admirably for injured WR Deebo Samuel as the Gamecocks’ No. 1 pass catcher. The sophomore receiver put the Gamecocks in position to win on Saturday with a spectacular 41-yard catch.

The highlight-reel grab caught the attention of SB Nation’s Morgan Moriarty, who called the catch “a beauty.”

“South Carolina had just 55 seconds to score, trailing 16-14 in the fourth quarter when Gamecock quarterback Jake Bentley hit Edwards on a 41-yard bomb, and look at this dang catch by Edwards,” Moriarty wrote.

 

 

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