Friday, November 24, 2006

Thoughts on the Klempson vs. USC Game...


CBS recently called THE University of South Carolina Football the best 5 loss team in the country; I believe them. This is a team that is two tipped passes away from beating Tennessee and Arkansas, an onsides kick recovery from beating Auburn, and a blocked field goal away from beating Florida. Each of those teams were ranked in the top 10 at the time. Clemson started the season on a roll and were talking about winning the ACC because of the "off year." But lately Clemson has had some problems and this should make for a great game. The last spread I saw had the Tigers by 5. Here are my thoughts for the game and I hope all of you guys will be joining me at the game.

Unfortunately, there has not been a lot to hang your hat on in this rivalry. Only three times (1979, 1987 and 2000) have both teams been nationally ranked when they met. So on-field play has not merited much attention outside state borders.

Most fans and participants do not know there actually is a traveling trophy that goes to the winner. It is called the Hardees Trophy, but it has no real significance like many other schools that exchange a victory bell, or a bronze boot, or an old bucket.

The No. 24 Tigers (8-3) have won the last four meetings and eight of the last nine against the Gamecocks (6-5), but the game received second billing for a while this week as a rumor surfaced that Miami might be interested in bringing Spurrier back to Florida next season -- even though Larry Coker is still the Hurricanes coach.

Clemson leads the series 63-36-4. The Tigers took last year's matchup 13-9, scoring the winning touchdown with 5:58 to go.

Since inserting QB Blake Mitchell back in the lineup the SC offense has been in sync. In his last three games, Mitchell has completed 60-of-82 passes for 876 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. The SC O-line has found itself and started to play like men and not boys despite the new faces on the line. The defense has played to the best of their ability and are finally playing as a unit. The SC special teams also have greatly improved besides a blocked kick here and there.

Clemson we know can run the ball. They have one of most talented backfield combos with James Davis and CJ Spiller in the country (see also McFadden and Jones for Ark-Kansas). The Clemson football team came into the season on a mission and had every opportunity to win the ACC. But having a offense so reliant on the run is hard to win big games....perfect example is the Virginia Tech game because Clemson was exploited. To stop Clemson on offense, Tech, and then Maryland, stacked the box and told Will Proctor he had to beat them. Which we all saw could not happen. Look for USC to attempt to do the same and SC has to do this also to win. Proctor is no Whitehurst and seems scared to throw the deep ball. He does have success in the 5 yard pass to the playmakers but has been slow to pull the trigger on a deep ball....not sure if that is coaching or the player to blame. Clemson's defense is good....up front they can win the battles but there are holes in the CU secondary and that is where USC has the advantage.

USC will win the game because of the air and having a balanced attack. The USC defense must stop the run and contain the 5 yard passes. Look for USC to be on a mission and play tough......

Prediction:
Carolina - 24
Clemson - 20

See ya on Saturday and Go Cocks!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy turkey day


We here are Leftover hot dog would like to wish you and your family a happy thanksgiving. If you would like to post what you are thankful for this holiday season please fill free to do so.

A SC Basketball Team 'Did you know'...

Yeah I know college football is going on but college basketball has also started. To kick the college basketball talk off on LOHD let this be the first discussion of college basketball. To start here is a "Did you Know"....

The longest active postseason win streak in the nation belongs to South Carolina. Last spring, the Gamecocks earned the dubious distinction of winning back-to-back National Invitational Tournament titles with a 76-64 victory over Michigan in the championship game -- which ran the program's streak to 10 straight victories in the Little Dance dating back to 2005. They were the first to win the NIT back to back since the 1940s.

This season the Gamecocks are 3-1 and off until it plays at The Citadel on Mon., Nov. 27 at 7:05 pm. They just got back from a west coast swing.

Coming next week LJ and I will furnish the LOHD with our Final Four Picks and Champ pick.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Cooking with LJ from Arkansas

Well with Thanksgiving almost here and the Clemson/ Carolina game approaching soon, here are three recipes for broccoli salad. We are all adults now and should bring a side dish to our parent’s house for Thanksgiving or at least some store bought cookies. It is time to stop mooching and start helping out. So here are three easy recipes I found.

BROCCOLI GRAPE SALAD1 head broccoli, cut stems and tops in small pieces1 c. celery, finely chopped1 c. green grapes1 c. red grapes1/2 c. bacon (about 8 slices), cooked and crumble the bacon1 c. toasted slivered almonds, can use sunflower seeds, alsoDRESSING:Mix all together. Pour and toss salad. Chill about 2 to 4 hours before serving.1 c. mayonnaise1 tbsp. vinegar

BACON-BROCCOLI SALAD WITH RAISINS 4 stalks broccoli, chopped (I use mostly the tips, so it takes more broccoli.)1/2 red onion, chopped (not too fine)1/3 to 1/2 c. raisinsMix the above ingredients in a mixing bowl. In a separate container, mix: 1 c. mayonnaise 2 tbsp. white vinegar Pour over salad to marinate in refrigerator for half a day. Just before serving, fry crisp bacon to crumble over salad.

BROCCOLI SALAD 1 bunch broccoli (raw)1/2 c. onion, chopped1/2 c. raisins1/2 c. Spanish peanuts1 can or jar bacon bitsMix together, breaking up broccoli into bite-size pieces. Dressing to follow.BROCCOLI SALAD DRESSING:1 c. mayonnaise1/2 c. sugar2 tsp. vinegar


Also if you decide to watch the Arkansas/LSU game on Friday I will be sitting in the end zone about 10 rows up, so look for me and the family.

Have a great thanksgiving and go cocks!!!!!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

A look at the bowl predictions for this week...

Here is the latest look at bowl projections from ESPN as of Nov. 20th:

For Clemson---

Toyota Gator (ACC No. 3 vs. Big 12 or Big East)
Clemson vs. Oklahoma
OR
Meineke Car Care (Big East or Navy vs. ACC)
Navy vs. Clemson


For South Carolina---

AutoZone Liberty (C-USA No. 1 vs. SEC No. 6)
Houston vs. South Carolina
OR
Motor City (Big Ten No. 7 vs. MAC)
South Carolina vs. Central Michigan

***This bowl could happen since the SEC is limited in their bowl tie-ins but have many bowl eligible teams. SC could move on to play in the Motor City Bowl since the Big Ten lacks a qualifier for this bowl.

Also they are saying it will be a Ohio State vs. Southern Cal Championship game and the SEC will have Arkansas in the BCS; also the ACC is slated to have GT in the BCS.

Monday, November 20, 2006

In the news.....Spurrier leaving?


Not to steal the latest news headline, sports talk or internet story but I thought all the "Spurrier leaving" stories floating around out there are pretty interesting. I wanted to post it here on LOHD for the readership. Here is the latest in this college football news saga.....keep in mind Larry Coker is still the coach and has not been "let go." I don't think the Ole' Ball Coach will leave SC.....SC presents a challenge to him. Numerous experts have told him "you can not win at USC" and to Spurrier this is the biggest thrill....proving them wrong. He did wonders with SC last year and almost got us playing in the SEC Championship. This year has been a "re-building" year and there have been plenty of positives this season to build on. 2007 is looking good for SC. Let's think.........Steve-O is 61 years old, his wife loves living in SC (she has stated this in the media how she wants this to be the last stop), golf is great in the area, they just gave 250 K to USC for the building program and I think all that factors in to him staying until he retires from coaching at the age of 67. Just my guess and I hope I am right......

CSTV reported on Sunday that South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier is leaving the Gamecocks to become head coach at Miami. The CSTV website first reported the story here, then stuck by it here despite denials from Spurrier during his Sunday teleconference. You can read the 'denials' about the news with this WIS-TV's piece and this article in The State. Also there is this article in The Miami Herald.

What do you guys think? Is Spurrier leaving USC? Why or Why not?