4 Ways Charleston Southern Can Beat Florida (or at least compete with them)

I write this not as an objective fan, because anyone with knowledge of college football would know better than to even attempt what I am about to do, lest they lose any and all credibility.  However, as a proud alum of Charleston Southern University, I feel somewhat obligated to defend the little guy.  To give credence to the Davids of college football, out there with nothing more than a sling with stones, aiming to down Goliath.  In this case, that Goliath just happens to be the defending BCS National Champion Florida Gators.

The task at hand is large.  No one will doubt that.  In fact, most Buccaneers fans are excited just to say “my school played Florida!”  To stash away even a sliver of hope for a monumental upset in our hearts and souls is to defy the very logic that the world of NCAA football is built on.  However, I’ll make every effort to assuage my fears of a completely demoralizing defeat and try to, if nothing else, add a little dash of hope to those from Buc Country.  Or perhaps just a bit of water cooler conversation for the weeks left before the big September 5th game.

 

1) Does Florida Lean Too Much on Tebow?  C’mon.  You know who I’m talking about.  The absurdly talented andwell spoken quarterback who can dominate the field running with the ball just as much as he can passing.  However, Florida may be relying a bit too much on Tebow.  He can carry a large load, but if he’s pressured enough, he CAN get rattled.  Charleston Southern was tied for the lead in the Big South in interceptions last year, and finished 2nd in pass defense.  Should they get enough pressure on Tebow and force him into throws he doesn’t want to make, turnovers can happen and sway the game in CSU’s favor.

Sure, it's rare, but Tebow is human, and has made mistakes (once or twice). (Photo courtesy of nationallampoon.com)

2)  With that said, if there is one recognizable weakness in Florida’s team this year, it’s the inexperience at wide receiver.  Gone are Percy Harvin and Cornelius Ingram, among others.  A group of talented underclassmen take over at the wideout spots.  However, there is a potential for route-running miscues to take place.  Again, CSU must take every opportunity in creating turnovers.  The Buccaneer offense alone will not be enough to make things happen.  The defense MUST pressure the passing game of the Gators.

3)  Does Florida overlook “lesser” opponents?  I won’t try to compare CSU to Ole Miss.  However, we saw last year what can happen when a talented team plays down to their opponent.  Ole Miss wasn’t considered to be a giant-killer when they entered the Swamp last September.  However, they managed a 31-30 win over Florida, a game that would be the only blemish on the Gator’s resume.  CSU will play Florida in a night game in the Swamp, and while it will certainly be an intimidating environment, it won’t be what it would be if Florida were playing LSUor Georgia.  I don’t need to remind everyone of what Appalachian State managed to accomplish a few years back against Michigan.  Upsets can happen anytime, especially when the “better” team loses it’s focus.

Mills has to bring a giant-killer attitude with him to the Swamp. (Photo courtesy of daylife.com)

4) CSU is a Baptist school, and God cheers for them.  There’s a massive chapel on campus with a prayer room accessible 24/7.  All students must attend a certain number of convocations each year, mostly consisting of speakers preaching about God.  They don’t allow alcohol on campus, women in men’s dorm rooms (and vice versa), andstarting this month, no smoking is allowed on campus.  If nothing else, don’t the Bucshave the edge because the Heavenly Father is behind them?  Er…maybe not though, considering Tim Tebow is probably the most recognizable Christian athlete in the world of football.

 

So there you have it.  The Charleston Buccaneers will have their hands full on Sept. 5.  They’ll walk into Ben Griffin Stadium in Gainesville to suit up against the defending national champs.  They’ll face camera from multiple media outlets.  They hear chants of “Teeeebow!  Teeeebow!  Teeebow” until their ears go numb.  They’ll see 104,000 fans doing the “Gator Chomp”.  And, while it’s on a big stage nationally, ask any CSU fan before the game if it’s the biggest in the school’s history.  I guarantee you’ll get a “no” every time.

That game would be one with rival Coastal Carolina in 2005.  In what can only be termed a “miracle comeback”, the Bucscame back from a 14 point deficit with 2:49 left to play.  After allowing Coastal to make a quick score, the Bucs found themselves in a 24-10 hole.  A quick 4 play scoring drive got CSUwithin 7, but a failed onside kick seemed to doom any chances of a win.  With Coastal Carolina needing to just take a few snaps andrun the clock out, they foundthemselves with a tad too much time left over.  On a long 4th down play, Coastal set up in punt formation, hoping to snap the ball andrun aroundlong enough to findtriple zeros on the clock.  However, witha mass of Buccaneer defenders swarming, Coastal Carolina’s punter was forced to run out of bounds, leaving 1.5 seconds on the clock.  With that time, then QB Colin Drafts make an incredible pass to the end zone, finding Markus Murry for a game-tying score.  CSU would force OT, and eventually win 34-27.  Not only did they beat their rivals, they were Big South Co-Champs that year.

So say what you want about Charleston Southern, a no-name school from South Carolina looking for a nice payday by playing the role of the  proverbial cupcake.  But don’t tell CSU fans their team doesn’t have a chance.  They’ve seen miracles happen before.  Maybe, just maybe for one weekend in early September, Goliath will be wearing blue and orange, and David will be wearing navy and gold.

Don't tell CSU players and fans they don't have a shot at a miracle. (Photo courtesy of csusports.com)