UT has just owned South Carolina in the past. Tennessee holds a 21-6-2 all-time advantage in the series but have lost the last two games. The Gamecocks were too much for the Vols this time around also, defeating them 38-24 in Columbia. This equal the Vols worst start (0-5) since 1977 in the SEC. The Vols did look good on some fronts. Tyler Bray and Matt Simms would combined to go 19/28 for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns. Bray, in particular showed a lot of promise making strong throws all over the field. Denairus Moore would go on to have a career game posting 6 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown. Those 228 yards receiving is second all time ever for a UT receiver.Tennessee just could not contain freshman sensation Marcus Lattimore who went on to rack up 184 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. The Vols continue to have trouble up front on the defensive line and this game showed their venerability to the run. South Carolina just pounded the Vols.
On several occasions the Gamecocks just lined up and played smashmouth with Tennessee. Oh have the tables have turned in this series, I remember when UT was doing the running on South Carolina. UT continued its trend of being tied going into halftime with its opponents, only to lose the game in the second half. After Julio Jones torched the secondary last week, I was predicting similar results for the long athletic Alshon Jeffrey of the Gamecocks. He didn't post the big numbers like Jones but did have the game changing play with a 70 yard pass play from Stephen Garcia. The Gamecocks would not look back after the play which put them ahead 31-24. The Vols would not score again and South Carolina rolled to the victory. Tennessee has been in every game they have played. They just don't have the experience and athletes they usually have by this time of year.
Everyone knew this was going to be a tough one this season and they are just proving us right. Derek Dooley will continue to lead his troops on the field. Only time will tell if they can make it to a bowl game but it doesn't look good for them so far. Next game they face Memphis and definitely have a chance to win that but nothing is a given now days for the Volunteers.
On several occasions the Gamecocks just lined up and played smashmouth with Tennessee. Oh have the tables have turned in this series, I remember when UT was doing the running on South Carolina. UT continued its trend of being tied going into halftime with its opponents, only to lose the game in the second half. After Julio Jones torched the secondary last week, I was predicting similar results for the long athletic Alshon Jeffrey of the Gamecocks. He didn't post the big numbers like Jones but did have the game changing play with a 70 yard pass play from Stephen Garcia. The Gamecocks would not look back after the play which put them ahead 31-24. The Vols would not score again and South Carolina rolled to the victory. Tennessee has been in every game they have played. They just don't have the experience and athletes they usually have by this time of year. 
Everyone knew this was going to be a tough one this season and they are just proving us right. Derek Dooley will continue to lead his troops on the field. Only time will tell if they can make it to a bowl game but it doesn't look good for them so far. Next game they face Memphis and definitely have a chance to win that but nothing is a given now days for the Volunteers.
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