Zell Column: November is gridiron nitty gritty

When the calendar turns to November in the football season there’s one thing you don’t want your football team to have – questions.

Questions mean uncertainty. And uncertainty undoubtedly means a special season is probably not going to happen. So here’s an outlook on some Palmetto State college and high school football teams as the season is coming down to the wire.

COLLEGE

South Carolina - The Gamecocks are 7-1 and hold the tiebreaker over Georgia in the SEC East as both claim stake to 5-1 league records with two games each left to play. The South Carolina defense, which has given up 37 points during the last five games isn’t the question — but the lackluster offense is more than a concern. Only 14 points against Tennessee? Alshon Jeffery with merely three catches for 17 yards? I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop this month. The Gamecocks will be very fortunate if they finish the final four games with two wins.

Clemson –Last week I said Tiger fans shouldn’t be scared of being in the national championship discussion. I’ll take my crow with a side of fries. However, there’s no need to press the panic button. The Tigers still are in line for a trip to the ACC championship and will have two weeks to salivate over a Wake Forest team they will play at Death Valley. The turnovers and offensive mistakes need to be cleaned up. The defense certainly will have to answer the questions about giving up all those rushing yards, but this team is destined for a conference title game and BCS bowl.

Coastal Carolina – A once Top 20-ranked FCS football team is on the brink of giving up. In cold, rainy conditions the Chanticleers gave up 400-plus yards of rushing while being shutout 42-0, losing their third straight game. Coastal is now playing for next year — but even the 2012 season has question marks. Will the offense ever be able to find a consistent rhythm? How will Coastal be able to replace a veteran secondary?

HIGH SCHOOL

Myrtle Beach – This is the time of the year where Coach Mickey Wilson has his high school team playing its best ball. The Seahawks were hampered by injuries the majority of the season, but as the calendar turns, health is returning. The offense will be able to score but if Myrtle Beach wants to capture a second-straight state title, the defense will have to answer the bell.

Socastee, Georgetown, Loris – Socastee played its way into hosting a playoff game but against a tradition-rich Berkeley school. Georgetown lost a double-overtime game and will face a Bluffton team that has scored at least 50 points in 9 of 10 games this season. Loris earned a first round bye but will likely face the second-best team in the 2A-Division I bracket, Timberland, in the second round. Questions for these three teams will be answered if they rise to the occasion against quality competition.

Jeff Zell is sports director for WBTW News 13. You can reach him at jzell@wbtw.com.