LOHD Weekend Video

This video just never gets old.....it is a LOHD and DevieD classic!

Gamecocks and Phil Steele

LOHD likes to consult PhilSteele.com and see how he is projecting things to happen in 08. Yes it is all a projection and he does it just like anyone else. No one knows how the 08 college football season is going to shape out but I did see (and like) where recently he ranked the Gamecocks the 5th most improved team in 08.

I know improving on a 6-6 season should not be too hard for a Spurrier coached team....so what is your prediction for number of wins for Carolina in 08?

Oh we touched on some of these early projections for the 08 gamecock campaign - HERE.

Gamecock Weekend News Thread

Here are some news bites from earlier in the week just in case you missed anything...these are LOHD worthy reads -

• Garnet & Black pens a nice one here with - gamecocks 2008: Changing of the Guard
• South Carolina No. 4. In basketball for the SEC East - Emerson's predictions
• Football: One class impedes King
• Recruiting: Pair accepts USC’s offers
• Basketball: Charlotte star’s mentors say choice is near
• XM service fills out SEC sports lineup
• Baseball assistant lines up for C of C
• Tanner pursues Tar Heel assistant
  

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July to All ! Remember to thank a veteran for your freedoms today !

LOHD recommends this drink this summer

Anyone that golfs knows about "The Arnold Palmer" or what is referred to in the south as "half and half;" you know half sweet tea and lemonade. It is one of the best drinks after a round of 18 or for just relaxing on a hot day. Which brings us to this drink and the upcoming 2008 college football season. This drink is a must for the first month of S Carolina games due to the 'columbia heat.'

After I had this drink over the weekend, my first thought was - why didn't I think of that - I mean sweet tea vodka...geez.

But here is LOHD drink for summer 2008 -

Firefly Sweet Tea Flavored Vodka

Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka is the distillery's newest product on the market. The product is an infusion of American Tea and Firefly Vodka. Firefly Distillery is proud to bring true southern products to the marketplace. (70 proof)

Here is how to make the LOHD summer concoction:
-Get a tall glass and fill it up with some ice.
-Then simply take the Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and pour about half a glass then get some good lemonade and fill the other half of the glass.
-Optional - put a lime and a lemon in the drink.

Now sit back and enjoy the warm summer months!

Former Gamecock Corey Boyd invovled in a Fight

During a budget meeting? I must admit I know I have gotten test-y during meetings involving finances and how to spend money but to get in a fight with your teammate? Not a smart move by former gamecock running back Corey Boyd.

Full Story HERE and thanks to 'old man' but to highlight it -

During the NFL's rookie symposium, which is designed to teach 1st-year players life skills, Buccaneers rookies Cory Boyd and Aqib Talib chose to brawl with each other. Pro Football Talk is reporting that Talib, the Bucs' 1st-round pick, and Boyd, the Bucs 7th-round pick, had been exchanging words all day, and they finally got down to the fisticuffs in the "budgets and finance" meeting.

Way to go Corey, you have made Gamecock Nation so proud ! Just hope you don't get cut now by Tampa Bay !

Top College Football Traditions

Here is a nice little write up on the Top College Football traditions in the South. Good to see "2001" (S. Carolina's entrance) up there in the top 25.

Link: Top Traditions

I gotta agree with #1 - Rocky Top - b/c it amazes me when I go to see UT v SC at UT just how loud it is, how many times it is played, when its played and how it pumps everyone (UT fans) up. Oh and it is one of the most annoying things ever even more so than when JR went through the "bang-kok" spell in college.

Thoughts on "traditions?"

Tuff-est place to play college football

Here is another take on the toughest places to play in college football by PrepTicket. We always see these lists but I disagree that S. Carolina was left out; as Willy-B does deserve to be in the Top 25 (take out ark-kansas and insert SC in the list below)!

Link: Link

Do you agree with their list?

Worst Sports Injury of 08

In MLB news - The Diamondbacks placed Catcher Chris Snyder on the DL Tuesday with what we here at LOHD are calling the worst sports injury of 2008.

"Snyder suffered what was diagnosed as a left testicular fracture after he was struck by a foul ball off the bat of Corey Hart".....he broke one of his balls!

Good god...I don't even want to think about this!

(h/t: The Nasty Boys Sports Blog)

Klempson News Thread

Here are some clemson news stories that may be of interest to ya - it is a slow month for sports blogging. Anywho -

-McDaniel update - I agree with our pal at the Garnet and Black that is is bullsh*t and something is not right about the possiblity of allowing this kid a chance to play in 08...wait they allowed that LB the chance to play in the bowl game despite a DUI charge so this is not too surprising...what is that this crap is allowed to happen by Clemson officals, fans and the media.
-Clemson’s Harper a dark-horse Heisman candidate
-With McDaniel, Bowden’s right to exercise patience - I totally disagree and it seems that Clemson is being held at a different standard in the media...if this was Spurrier they would eat it up.

Oh, here is a good read that basically puts it out there for Clemson fans - time to put up or shut up in 08

UPDATE - The State paper is reporting - here - that the decision on whether Clemson sophomore DeAndre McDaniel can play pending a criminal charge now appears in coach Tommy Bowden’s hands. McDaniel was neither expelled nor suspended from school Wednesday following a hearing with the university’s judiciary review board, according to a source with knowledge of the proceeding.

USC ranked 48th

The final standings for the year for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics were announced this past week.

We came in at 48, our lowest rank ever. They have been ranking the 279 athletic departments since 1993.This is our lowest rank since 1993, but in such a down year for Gamecock athletics, to still be in the top 50 is not as bad as some would make it out to be.

Here is a analysis of Clemson vs USC to get an idea of how the two programs stack up:

SC vs CU

1993 - USC 40 CU 16
1994 - USC 44 CU 51
1995 - USC 42 CU 27
1996 - USC 33 CU 51
1997 - USC 33 CU 25
1998 - USC 27 CU 28
1999 - USC 32 CU38
2000 - USC 25 CU34
2001 - USC 11 CU26
2002 - USC 18 CU26
2003 - USC 34 CU42
2004 - USC 34 CU52
2005 - USC43 CU39
2006 -USC 32 CU36
2007 -USC 48 CU43
Our average finish is 33rd and Clemson's is 36th.