Preview: South Alabama At Coastal Carolina
Kickoff: Saturday, November 7, 7:00pm
Venue: Brooks Stadium, Conway, South Carolina
TV: ESPNU
Radio: Sports Talk 99.5FM, 96.1 The Rocket, iHeartRadio
The South Alabama Jaguars (3-3, 2-1 Sun Belt) takes on the second leg of their three-game road swing on Saturday night when they face the #15 ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (6-0, 4-0 SBC) in Conway, S.C.
The Jaguars enter the game after suffering their first conference loss of the season on the road at Georgia Southern. The Jags led most of the game but the Eagles took over the game in the fourth quarter and held off the Jags 24-17.
The Chanticleers have been one of the best stories of the season so far. They enter the game undefeated and with the highest ranking ever achieved by a Sun Belt Conference team. But the Jaguars would love to knock off another ranked opponent like they did to San Diego State a few years ago.
Currently the Jags are only 1/2 game behind division leading UL-Lafayette, who they play next weekend. Jaguar head coach Steve Campbell rightly points out that they control their own destiny right now.
Chanticleer Offense
Coastal Carolina ranks 11th in the nation with 40.3 points per game average. Their rushing attack averages 197.8 yards per game, which is good for 25th best in the nation. They have been able to run the ball with ease so far this season.
C.J. Marable leads the rushing attack with 353 yards on 93 carries with five touchdowns. But along with him are three others that are able to carry the ball with him. Reese White has 228 yards on 39 carries with three touchdowns and an average of 5.8 yards per carry, Shermari Jones has 208 yards on 43 carries and two touchdowns, and Grayson McCall has 199 yards on 48 carries with four touchdowns.
The Chanticleer passing attack averages 243.7 yards per game.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Grayson McCall returned to the lineup against Georgia State last week. He has started five games for the Chants going 77-of-111 for 1,184 yards, 15 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Fred Payton has started one game but played in 5 games this season going 17-of-33 for 271 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Jaivon Heiligh is the teams leading receiver with 30 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns. That is right there with with the Jags top two receivers, Jalen Tolbert and Kawaan Baker.
There are four other receives who have caught double-digit passes on the season, the most prolific of them has caught 17 passes for 133 yards and four touchdowns.
The offensive line has played outstanding for the Chanticleers by only allowing five sacks through six games. That is tied for seventh nationally. They may not be very big, but they play very polished and technically sound.
Coastal Carolina Defense
The “Black Swarm” defense dominated Georgia State last Saturday in their 51-0 rout. They forced two turnovers, three sacks, and six three-and-outs.
So far for the season they are allowing an average of 21.6 points and 345 total yards per game.
The defensive line simply manhandled Georgia State. But, like their offensive counterparts, they are a huge defensive line but they play sound and are able to get after the quarterback.
The defense only allowed 106 total yards to the Panthers, who have had an up and down season so far. But that is some scary numbers for a team playing at home.
The Panthers opened the game with a 31-yard kickoff return. But when they attempted a field goal with 11:00 left in the first quarter, little did they know that they would not snap the ball again in the Chanticleer territory for the rest of the game.
Keys to the Game
Turnovers
The Jags must win the turnover game and hopefully do so with a clear majority. It starts with limiting turnovers on offense, which South Alabama has done pretty well all season. USA has only fumbled five times on the season and lost only three of them combined with only four interceptions.
Defensively the Jags have forced 11 fumbles but only recovered three of them and intercepted two passes.
Overall, that puts the Jags at -2 in turnover margin.
The Chanticleers have fumbled the ball six times and lost three of them while throwing three interceptions. Defensively they have forced 10 fumbles and only recovered three of them but they have intercepted eight passes on the season.
That puts them at +5 in turnover margin.
Offensive line
The Jags offensive line played well against Georgia Southern for about three quarters. But in the fourth quarter the Eagles started pushing the line around. It was evident with the quarterback hurries and sacks late in the game. Desmond Trotter simply had no time to throw the ball.
The Jags will be without right guard Jacob Shoemaker due to a knee injury. Left tackle Wyatt Green was hampered by an injury.
Covid
Two Jaguar defensive linemen will reportedly miss the game following positive test results. Additionally two defensive assistant coaches, two GA’s, some video crew members, and the entire equipment crew are all out due to covid.
This is not the time to be without the services of two defensive linemen, two defensive coaches and two GA’s.
Prediction
There’s a lot that is just not trending well for this game.
Playing the #15 ranked team in the nation, on the road, in a conference game. The Chanticleers rank 11th in the nation in scoring and 25th in the nation in rushing per game. Plus they are coming off of a complete dismantling of Georgia State.
South Alabama had a couple extra days to regroup and prepare after their loss to Georgia Southern.
The Chanticleers are a 17.5 point favorite over the Jags for good reason. Historically USA has not been a very good road team.
I think the Chanticleers will win the game and I think they may actually cover the spread as well.
Go Jags!