Recap: Notes from Muschamp's presser

South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp previewed the Gamecocks matchup with Texas A&M during his weekly press conference Tuesday afternoon.

ALSO SEE: COLUMN: It's going to take time | Following the future - How did Gamecocks commits and targets fare this past Thursday? | Snap count - How many snaps did each player take Saturday?

Muschamp had the following to say during his press conference Tuesday afternoon...

** Texas A&M is a very balanced football team. Rattles off a bunch of names of guys that are impressive including both defensive ends and both safeties. Great wide receivers. Trevor Knight has played well.

** Chaz Elder practiced today. Will put him in some contact situations tomorrow to see if he can go. Randrecous Davis is out. Everything else is the same

** Have to account for Texas A&M's defensive ends. They'll affect the game but have to try to limit their damage.

** Consistency of execution on offense has to improve. Couldn't afford to have injuries and have had those. Not making excused, but being factual. Hard to put guys in their best spots when you keep having to mix and match and when you have youth at QB.

** Pery Orth has been outstanding in his support of Brandon McIlwain.

** Hope Deebo Samuel can play this week but have to continue to manage his situation. Will know for sure on Thursday. Are exhausting every possibility to try and find why the hamstring issue keeps popping up. He had a much higher workload in the spring and didn't have any issues. Has had less of a workload this fall, but the issue popped up. Can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

** Dowdle will play on special teams. Depending on how he does this week, he could play on offense as well. He's gotten a lot of mental reps while out. We'll find out if it translates.

** Tackling in space is another priority this week against the Texas A&M offense. Have to have an urgency in getting lined up and getting eyes in the right spot quickly.

** Trying to be very realistic about where we are and where we're headed.

** Jamarcus King has stepped forward from a maturity standpoint of understanding why practice is important and with film review. Has improved his physicality too.

** Defense will have to have their best day of communication on defense this week, but have been happy with how they have communicated so far.

ALSO SEE: COLUMN: It's going to take time | Following the future - How did Gamecocks commits and targets fare this past Thursday? | Snap count - How many snaps did each player take Saturday?