COLUMBIA — Communications with the league office have been completed, the film has been viewed and saved. There are few defeats worse than South Carolina’s 36-33 loss to LSU, which snatched victory from their grasp. But the Gamecocks cannot allow this defeat to blacken them so much that they allow their next opponent to defeat them.

“We have to move on,” coach Shane Beamer said before the game against Arkon on September 21 at Williams-Brice Stadium. “We can’t let Saturday go any longer. That is behind us. There is nothing we can do about it now.”

What to look for as the Gamecocks try to gain some confidence ahead of the biggest stretch of the season:

QB1 or 2 or 3 or 4

LaNorris Sellers was injured last week and didn’t play for most of the second half. He’s been practicing a little more each day this week after not practicing at all on Sunday, but it seems obvious: It’s Akron, USC shouldn’t need him to win, and he shouldn’t play at all unless he’s 100 percent.

This isn’t a question of whether he can “take a little pain” or “he can’t get hurt any further.” Beamer and his team need to make it clear that Sellers is only playing Saturday because he has been declared healthy. Even saying “we’ll just let him play until the game is decided” is misconduct when he isn’t completely cleared.

If he can’t play, Robby Ashford, Davis Beville or maybe Luke Doty will have to step in. One or all of them will have to show they have what it takes to run any offense, because like most offenses, Sellers’ playbook isn’t universal. Dowell Loggains will give any quarterback the plays they need to win.

You just have to do it.

Run, run, rocket

Rocket Sanders had his first elite game at USC last week, carrying the ball 19 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns. The Gamecocks’ passing offense remains in sync with Sellers, so it’s very likely that USC will want to run the ball early, late and often.

Sanders, Oscar Adaway, Ashford, Juju McDowell… the Gamecocks haven’t had two players rush for over 100 yards in a game since 2021. You might as well try to set a record. If you have to, run the Wishbone.

Opening a new can of QB

Akron rotates quarterbacks Ben Finley and Tahj Bullock. One is better at passing, the other is better at running (sound familiar?)

Whoever is out there, USC’s defense needs to make sure he’s not there for long. The Gamecocks made life difficult for Garrett Nussmeier for a quarter last week before he found his rhythm; these two don’t need to get to that point.

If Akron’s offense can’t score, USC’s offense doesn’t have to worry as much about their potential new quarterback and new system. The defense does its job and the offense doesn’t necessarily have to do its job.

Plus, you have to keep tradition. If Dylan Stewart really is the next Jadeveon Clowney, he can prove it against a quarterback named Tahj.

AI

Has USC learned from its loss to LSU and other early-season troubles? That it can’t commit the stupid penalties it deserves? That it doesn’t have to let a seemingly inferior opponent down?

History hasn’t been kind to USC when it comes to these kinds of “cupcake” games, although that’s not due to this year’s group. It’s a coincidence that this game comes at a time when USC may not have its starting quarterback.

The two-week preparation for a game against a top-5 opponent goes much more smoothly if you have an easy opponent to beat 14 days beforehand.

forecast

South Carolina 31, Akron 17