Michael Dyer vs Marcus Lattimore, Round 3! Who will have the better game?

A	Michael Dyer has the better game and Auburn wins!

B	Michael Dyer has the better game but Auburn loses!

C	Marcus Lattimore has the better game and South Carolina wins!

D	Marcus Lattimore has the better game but South Carolina loses!

Update - Game Summary

Final Score - 16 Auburn Tigers 13 South Carolina Gamecocks - The game between the Tigers and the Gamecocks turned was a defensive showdown with both defenses creating several turnovers.

Both quarterbacks played horrible.

Stephen Garcia Statistics vs Auburn - completed only 9 passes out of 23 attempts (39.1 CMP%) for 160 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Garcia's quarterback rating was a 94.5 on the day.

Barrett Trotter Statistics vs USC - completed only 12 passes in 23 attempts (52.2 CMP%) for 112 yards, 1 touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. Trotter's quarterback rating was a 90.0 on the day.

Trotter gets the nod as having performed better because when it mattered most, he stood tall in the pocket and hit Phillip Lutzenkirchen for a touchdown with less than two minutes left in the game before getting rocked by South Carolina's defensive line.

Auburn's Michael Dyer had a better day than USC's Marcus Lattimore

Michael Dyer's Statistics vs USC - 41 rushing attempts for 141 yards; 3.4 yard average; one touchdown; 18 yard long

Marcus Lattimore Statistics vs Auburn - 17 rushing attempts for 66 yards; 3.9 yard average; one touchdown; two fumbles, one lost; 15 yard long

Auburn vs South Carolina Game Statistics

1st Downs: 22 AU - 13 USC
Total Yards: 358 AU - 289 USC
Passing: 112 AU - 160 USC
Rushing: 246 AU - 129 USC
Penalties: 5 for 55 yards AU - 7 for 55 yards USC
3rd Down Conversions: 11 for 22 AU - 2 for 10 USC
Turnovers: 4 AU - 4 USC

End Update

Last year, Michael Dyer and the Auburn Tigers beat the South Carolina Gamecocks and kept Marcus Lattimore in check twice, once during the regular season and again in the SEC Championship game. Dyer racked up 100 yards on 23 carries versus Lattimore's 33 yards on 14 carries in the first game, but Lattimore out-gained Dyer with 84 yards off 16 carries to 64 yards off 14 carries in the second, respectively.

In the 2010 recruiting rankings, Lattimore and Dyer were ranked either the top back or the second back in the nation, depending on the service providing the rankings. The two nearly attended Auburn University together, but Lattimore had a change of heart in the final week of recruiting and chose the Gamecocks.

Marcus Lattimore 2011 Season Statistics - 107 rushing attempts; 611 yards rushing; 5.7 yard average per carry; 36 yard long; 8 touchdowns

Marcus Lattimore 2010 Season Statistics - 249 rushing attempts; 1197 yards rushing; 4.8 yard average per carry; 58 yard long; 17 touchdowns

Michael Dyer 2011 Season Statistics - 62 rushing attempts; 426 yards rushing; 6.9 yard average per carry; 52 yard long; 6 touchdowns

Michael Dyer 2010 Season Statistics - 182 rushing attempts; 1093 yards rushing; 6.0 yard average per carry; 38 yard long; 5 touchdowns

As bad as I would like to see Dyer have the better game, Auburn's rushing defense has been pathetic this season. It is ranked 112th and gives up an average of 227 yards per game. The Tigers have given up over 200 yards in three of four games, including over 300 to Mississippi State, and they have yet to face a running back as talented as Lattimore, currently second in the nation.

The good news for the Tigers, however, is South Carolina has faced a much weaker schedule and is ranked 60th in rushing defense and gives up 137.37 yards per game. As for Dyer, Georgia's true freshman running back, Isaiah Crowell, was able to carve the Gamecocks defense for 118 yards on 16 carries.

The Tigers plan is to make quarterback Stephen Garcia beat them. South Carolina's passing game has been terrible, even with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Thus, Auburn will stack the box to stop the run, and try to force the Gamecocks to have to throw the ball to win the game.

Unlike the Gamecocks, Auburn's offense is more balanced. If the Gamecocks attempt to load the box and stop Dyer, Barrett Trotter is capable of burning them deep. Auburn receiver Emory Blake is an emerging star having scored a touchdown in eight straight Tigers games. So far this season he has 137 receiving yards on 16 receptions (19.8 yard average per reception) for four touchdowns and a long of 53 yards.USC will have to account for him at all times.

Another advantage Auburn will have is in the kick-off return game. True freshman running back, Tre Mason, has been a stud this year with 411 yards on 14 kick-off returns for a long of 97 yards and one touchdown. His reputation as a threat of housing a kick every time he gets a chance led FAU to squib kick all game. Lets hope South Carolina chooses to kick to him!

Anyways, this is the third time Dyer and Lattimore will face off. The personal battle is one to one, but Auburn has won both match-ups! What will happen in Round 3? Will Dyer out-perform Lattimore in a Tigers victory, or will Lattimore have a better day in the first win for the Gamecocks over Auburn since 1933?

Auburn Fans

Michael Dyer vs Marcus Lattimore, Round 3! Who will have the better game?

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