Like I said – 24-14 Miami.

In all seriousness, you can’t fault your humble columnist for picking against the Tigers last Saturday, but I’ll be the first to admit that Clemson looks like an entirely different team two weeks after their week off. Meanwhile, South Carolina looked vulnerable in their sloppy win against a very bad Vanderbilt team on Saturday.

South Carolina at Tennessee

South Carolina whipped the Vols a year ago, and while folks in Knoxville are telling themselves that close losses to Alabama and Florida are somehow emblematic of the program’s progress, this is still a team with one SEC win struggling with an anemic offense. South Carolina, on the other hand, is about to find out whether or not they’re really a different team this year.

When Tennessee has the ball

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton looks a lot more like a green freshman than a senior, and he’ll be severely tested against an aggressive South Carolina defense. If I’m Ellis Johnson, I’m scheming different ways to get Eric Norwood in Crompton’s face every chance I get. There is no way Crompton will be able to do significant damage downfield, so South Carolina would do well to load the box and bring pressure at every opportunity. Not to mention, the lone offensive threat the Volunteers do have is their running game. Bryce Brown and Monterio Hardesty are fast, physical backs who look like they should be able to exploit the Gamecocks’ defensive line, which can be soft against the run between the tackles.

When South Carolina has the ball

Steve Spurrier needs to get Tori Gurley and Alshon Jeffery on the field at the same time as much as possible. No offense to Moe Brown, who has obviously has taken offense to Lane Kiffin’s ‘gas pumpers’ comment, but it will be Gurley or Jeffery, not Brown, who wins this game for the Gamecocks. Tennessee’s defense slowed Florida’s offense to a crawl and held its own against Alabama, so I don’t foresee South Carolina running the ball with great effectiveness. The question will be the Gamecocks’ red zone efficiency.

What will happen

South Carolina will move the ball in spurts through the air, but be stuffed on the run. Eric Berry will pick off one Garcia pass and the Gamecocks’ failure to punch it in while in the red zone will be their undoing in a low-scoring contest in Rocky Top.

Prediction

Tennessee 17

South Carolina 13

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Coastal Carolina at Clemson

I’m going out on a huge limb here – I guarantee a correct pick in this one. Coastal Carolina generally does not have the same caliber athletes Clemson does, but this year, that talent gap is more pronounced.

When Clemson has the ball

C.J. Spiller will carry the ball early and often to rack up yards for his blossoming Heisman campaign, but don’t expect to see him in the second half. Meanwhile, tight end Michael Palmer’s absence due to a concussion will mean a big day from Dwayne Allen. Kyle Parker, like Spiller, will likely get in one-and-a-half to two full quarters in before sitting out. Willy Korn will shine in mop-up duty, throwing for two second half touchdowns.

When Coastal Carolina has the ball

Coastal managed less than 200 yards of total offense last week. Against Stony Brook. Let’s face it, if Clemson wanted to, they could likely make Boston College’s offensive output last month look the Texas Longhorns. Ricky Sapp will have a pair of sacks in the first half, DeAndre McDaniel will have an interception, and role players like Rashard Hall and Coty Sensabaugh will get significant reps.

What will happen

Clemson will roll early and make a real effort to rest as many key players as it can for the crucial Florida State game next weekend. Look for the Tigers to be up by three to four touchdowns at halftime, adding two more in a deliberately played second half.

Prediction

Clemson 45

Coastal Carolina 3