Horn's boys beat Baylor

USC stuns No. 19 Baylor

Zam Fredrick hit a go-ahead layup with 5.1 seconds left and South Carolina rallied for an 85-84 victory over No. 19 Baylor. This was a huge win for the gamecocks and a much needed one after the clemson loss.

I am a big fan of Horn and with time, I feel he will get the program going in the right direction. Odom did a good job but we have to move the program to the next level. I have always said that the SEC is a league that carolina could easily move into contention for a championship and it seems with Horn and the direction we are going it is only a matter of time.

What we really need is a big man like 7-0 center Beas Hamga of Cameroon to join our speedy guard play; with Hamgo I feel we could do some damage in the SEC.

This win should raise some gamecock spirits....

Next up - Wofford on 1/5/09.

Former Gamecock Ko Simpson arrested

NFL's Ko Simpson arrested in Rock Hill

Former Gamecock now Buffalo Bills safety and a former Rock Hill High standout Ko Simpson was arrested outside a Rock Hill bar early New Year's Day after police say he wouldn't leave while they were trying to clear the area due to a fight in the parking lot.

Simpson, 25, was charged with hindering a police investigation. The best part is Ko saying - "I'm Ko Simpson with the Buffalo Bills. I am worth millions!"

Captain and Norwood go bye bye

Munnerlyn, Norwood turning pro

I think everyone knew this was going to happen, like we knew E Cook would go, but I still feel both would be better served by staying one more year. Lots of DE and CB in the draft this year but LOHD wishes them the best and hope they join the gamecock club as we need money.

Will J Cook join them?

31-10 victory for Iowa over the Gamecocks

Gamecocks lose after some poor play on the field. More later...

South Carolina Falls to Iowa in Outback Bowl

Gameday - Go Cocks! Beat Iowa!

As I head for the stadium this morning, I just wanted check to see if you are as pumped for this game as I? I have a great feeling for this game.....Tampa has been a great bowl site/host. I will write more on that when I get back this weekend but until then make sure you tune in at 11am and watch the mighty gamecocks take on Iowa.

I pray that we can stop the run today and not allow Iowa to establish a running attack as that is the key to winning for Carolina........

GO COCKS!!!

From Tampa

Moose's outback bowl pick

Just want to say Happy New Years, hope everybody won't be to hungover for the game tomorrow at 11 AM.  

The saying goes, football is won in the trenches.  Well I feel Iowa has a better offensive and Defensive line.  I am not sure if Spurrier can cook up a game plan that can allow the Cocks to score enough points against a ball controlling offensive like Iowa has.  We are going to have to put points on the board every time we touch the ball.   If we consistently have 3 and outs, while Iowa runs Greene on long drives we might be in for a long drive.  South Carolina has the speed but do we really have the size to keep Greene from having a big day.  If Garcia is on, I think we have a chance against Iowa’s zone defense.  We will score but in the end Iowa’s physical style will wear us down, letting them score late in the 4^th to win.

 

My prediction is Iowa 27  USC 17

 

After watching the Florida and Clemson games, I just don’t have much faith in the team.  I have been pleased with the reports that Garcia is actually making an effort to be a leader on the team.  Now I just need to see it on the field. 

5 keys to a Gamecock Win vs Iowa

Let's consider this the Outback special...here are the 5 keys to a gamecock win vs Iowa in Tampa -

1. Stop the Run and do not allow Iowa to establish a ground game --- We have to put the game in Iowa's qb, let him beat us. I hate E Cook is out so D Stewart and the LB core has to step up today.

2. Carolina D - along with stopping the run they have to play close to perfect today. If it is up to the Iowa qb then our corners and safeties have to be ready. USC needs to create TOs and limit the big gains.

3. 3rd downs - On D, Carolina has to not allow them to convert. On offense, Garcia and squad has to convert and remain in control of the game. Keeping Iowa's offense off the field is not a bad thing.

4. USC Ground Game --- SC has to be able to run the ball vs Iowa whether it is Garcia (which I hope not as I envision plenty of time to throw the ball) or Davis/Baker/Maddox/Wallace. Somebody, anybody be effective. O-Line man up and create running lanes!

5. Carolina has to play with fire --- I want to see a pumped up Carolina team that is loving life. Play football kids, shut up and hit somebody. Play with passion and fire. I want to see it vs Iowa. Show the speed and control their power and win!

Most people think SC will lose...not I....going with a 24-20 USC win!

SC v Iowa YouTube

h/t: SNEAD

Outback travel day

Today I fly out to Tampa so posting will be light heading into the big game.

I pray for 7 things as I head to Tampa -

Safe travels

Great weather

Carolina brings their A+ game

Garcia is ready to be the QB for USC

Carolina smothers the Iowa run

Carolina creates TOs on D

Carolina does not shoot themselves in the foot by doing stupid things like INTs or fumbles or false starts

simple right.....GO COCKS!

any other things to add?

Gamecocks v Iowa news thread

Some news for ya from the Press Citizen -

S.C. not 'stressing' over Greene
High drama for Spurrier
S.C. QB has checkered past
Hawk D among best ever
Greene to NFL?

SC Media outlets -

Postcard from Tampa, day 3
Ferentz, Spurrier miles apart in coaching style
Morris: USC watching budget, even at a bowl game
Outback Bowl preview: Big 10 power vs. SEC speed
Spurrier sees shades of Crimson in Iowa
Spurrier acknowledges it was a down year for SEC
USC foe Hawkeyes took a little while to take flight

unrealted news yet good news for USC fans
Chavis out of Clemson coordinator picture

Random USC and Iowa stats

Some random stats to help you zoom in on the next USC target come 1/1/09...

Iowa O-fence vs. SC D
Iowa averaged 30.25 points per game on offense.
USC gave up 20.25 points per game on defense.
Iowa averaged 373.92 yards of offense.
USC gave up 288.92 yards on defense.
Iowa passed for 184.6 per game on offense.
USC gave up 160.25 per game on defense through the air.
Iowa rushed for 189.33 yards per game on offense.
USC gave up 128.7 yards per game on defense on the ground.

Iowa Defense vs. South Carolina Offense
Iowa defense averaged 13.25 points per game given up.
USC offense averaged 21.67.
Iowa defense allowed 289.5 yards on average per game.
USC averaged 316.83 of offense per game.
Iowa allowed 191.25 yards passing per game.
USC passed for 218.5 yards.
Iowa allowed 98.33 yards per game rushing.
USC rushed for 98.33 yards per game.

Last three opponents-

Iowa: PSU (11-1), Purdue (4-8), Minnesota (7-5)
USC: Ark (5-7), Florida (12-1), Clemson (7-5)

Iowa putting bad spin on USC

Dear Iowa fans please do not believe everything you read in the Press Citizen as all is not that bad at USC. Yes we have had some academic issues, some coaches leave for UT and two straight losses but we like to believe that each game is its' own battle. Actually, we have a great D, a big TE, some WRs that are ready to play and a lot of young guys eager to win. So Iowa be scared as Garcia is back home "where the magic happens" as he was quoted recently; let's hope it is some of the black magic that Joe Morrison was known to cook up.

Here is the bad spin up in Iowa country -

Drama, drama, drama
S.C. QB Garcia has checkered past at university

Morning Cup of Gamecock News

A shot of Gamecock News -

Spurrier pleased with USC's first practice in Tampa
Lindsey twins are split for finale
Morris: Spurrier bloomed as Bandit
Reaves pushes Giles to USC
Bowl schedule, facts, more
Will Munnerlyn's mom know draft best?
Postcard from Tampa, day 1
Morris: McKinley leaves mark
Local players go bowling: Limited role OK with Brown
McKinley holds records, wants bowl victory
Hawkeyes fly behind do-it-all back Greene
Surging Brinkley keys USC's defense
USC works out in Tampa
Running back recruit Giles ready to join Gamecocks
Staley, USC figuring out his role with the Gamecocks
McKinley shines under Spurrier