Week 11 SEC Letter Grades: South Carolina Through Vanderbilt
By Tucker Harlin
SOUTH CAROLINA: A
South Carolina is now 30-4 all time against Vanderbilt following its 28-7 win Saturday.
tale as old as time 🤙 pic.twitter.com/ZgOiP1tlb3
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 10, 2024
The defense wasn’t lulled to sleep by the monotony of the Commodores’ offensive scheme, something both Alabama and Kentucky fell prey to in October.
Rocket Sanders finished the afternoon with 178 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. The Gamecocks’ performance on Saturday was the best of any opponent against Vandy.
TENNESSEE: A-
This may be generous, but I think Tennessee could’ve broken 40 if a certain five star quarterback doesn’t leave at half due to injury.
There were parts of this game that were frustrating for the Vols. Primarily, the two empty red zone trips and insufficient run defense were troublesome.
But Tennessee managed the game well through adversity. The defense stepped up and brought Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren down while the offense ran the ball well and picked up first downs via penalties.
It sounds like Nico Iamaleava will soon return, so the Vols can return to form on offense in Athens.
TEXAS: A
Texas asserted its will early and often against a battered Florida team in Austin.
Quinn Ewers threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns in the 49-17 win over the Gators Saturday, and 106 of those yards were on screen passes alone. The defense wasn’t going to be tested with Aidan Warner in at quarterback for Florida.
The Horns had 42 points on the board before Florida could score, so this was a quick victory.
VANDERBILT: D
I’m giving Vandy a D because it was at least able to hang around for a half.
It just happened to play an opponent that picked up on the simplicity of its scheme. The Commodores lost a fumble and committed more penalties than the number we’re accustomed to seeing.
The defense wasn’t strong enough to stop Rocket Sanders. The Commodores are cursed against South Carolina.
