News from the UK side

Here is some news out of the UK realm...

• Lindley out vs. Gamecocks
• UK Football: A monkey on the back -- Brooks, Wildcats hope to end South Carolina streak
• Wildcats and Gamecocks tee it up in Columbia
• Kentucky Football Blues
• Lindley Out, Warford Day-to-Day
• UK blowing its margin for errors
• Cats mirror Gamecocks
• Hartline still has Brooks' support
• Wildcats still have tough road ahead
• UK's 'Wildcat' has lost its claws
• Cats don't have luxury of QB controversy
• UK's Locke knows stats can be for winners, too

SEC Power Poll : LOHD Ballot

1. Alabama
Simply taking care of business week to week; Saban is earning those dollars.

2. Florida
Showdown in Death Valley coming up - will Tebow shake the concussion and Tigers off?

3. LSU
Hopefully the officals will not help them this week but will they even need it is the question?

4. Auburn
If anyone thought Auburn would be 5-0 please raise your hand.

5. South Carolina
Still yet to play a complete game of football and getting by doing it.

6. UGA
Officals didn't help them at all but still good and looking to rub dirt in UT's face.

7. Ole Miss
Snead is not playing to his potential and it shows but thank god for Vandy, right?

8. Arkansas
If only they had a defense to go along with a good QB.

9. Mississippi State
Don't go create "Dan the Man" t-shirts quite yet but still MSU is going in the right direction.

10. Tennessee
If Lane only had gotten points for running his mouth in the preseason this team would be good.

11. Kentucky
Is it too late to get members of the basketball team to play?  Somebody has to ask the question.

12. Vanderbilt
Simply not their year but something tells me they will upset someone in the SEC, question is who?

thoughts? how wrong are we?

FULL SEC POWER POLL HERE FOR WEEK 5

UK players from South Carolina

Kentucky has more then a handfull of players from the State of South Carolina. Joker Phillips has done a pretty good job of recruiting the state of SC for Kentucky after he learned the ropes while he was here as an assistant for Lou.

#35 Cartier Rice a RS fresh CB out of Byrnes.

#33, Calvin Harrison a 3V Sr saftey from Richland NE.

#45 Antwane Glenn a soph DT out of Broome.

#49 Antonio Thomas also a soph from Broome playing LB.

#85 Gene McCaskill a soph WR from Chester.

#94 Taylor Wyndham a RS fresh @ DE out of Swansea. (also known as the Tebow Killer)

#10 Matt Lentz a Soph Safety out of Simpsonville, SC

Thinking about Kentucky coming to Columbia to face the Gamecocks

On Oct. 10th the streak is on the line in Columbia.  What streak you ask?

South Carolina has defeated Kentucky 9 straight times in football and has not lost the the Wildcats this decade.

UK Coach Rich Brooks has never beaten Carolina.

USC has not lost to UK at Willy B since 1999, when the Cats took a 30-10 win against the first year gamecock head coach Lou Holtz.  That loss added to the 0-11 season but let's not talk about that game or that year.

The gamecocks vs the cats in columbia in recent years have been very good for Carolina.  In 2001, the cocks beat UK 42-6.  In 2003, SC squeaked a win by UK with a 27-21 win.  In 2005, Carolina won 44-16 and on a ESPN Thursday night game in 2007 the 12th ranked Gamecocks beat then ranked 8th UK 38-23.

Last year, UK fell to Carolina by the score of 24-17.  UK managed to finish 2007 with a record 7-6 and went on to win the Liberty Bowl versus ECU.

For South Carolina to win this game, SC will have to force UK qb Hartline to beat them.  Shut down UK's ability to run the ball and limit Randall Cobb out of the "wildcat" formation.  Also Carolina MUST have success throwing the ball.

For some news and info from the Univ of Kentucky side please visit our blogging pals at -

A Sea of Blue

Over the Pylon

Vote for Eric Norwood for Heisman !

LOHD may not have him on our "heisman watch" but ESPN does have him on their list again for the 2nd week - here. 

Please go to HERE TO VOTE for Gamecocks LB Eric Norwood and let's get him to move up the leaderboard.

Eric Norwood had 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 Blocked Punt and 2 QB Hurries vs SCSU last week.

LOHD Heisman Watch

Here yet again is the LOHD Heisman Watch list in no special order...

Tim "Concussion will not hold me down" Tebow, Florida QB
Season: 44 of 68 passing for 643 yards, 6 touchdowns and an interception. He also has five rushing touchdowns.

Colt McCoy, Texas QB
Season: 103 of 145 for 1,145 yards, 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also has rushed for a touchdown.

Tony Pike, Cincinnati QB
Season: 116 of 174 passing for 1,493 yards, 13 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He has also rushed for two scores.

Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame QB
Season: 100 of 148 passing for 1,544 yards, 12 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Kellen Moore, Boise State QB
Season: 92 of 133 passing for 1,217 yards, 13 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Dropped off:  Best, Cal RB and Keenum, Houston QB

South Carolina’s 2010 recruiting class #13

USC's Shane Beamer, as recruiting coordinator, is putting together a great class and still has some big names on the board.  The 2010 recruiting class is ranked No. 13 overall by ESPN at the end of September.  It does not take into consideration the punter we snagged recently so keep that in mind.

This would add to last year's No. 12 recruiting class from 2009.  Even with how good this sounds for the Gamecocks whether you look at last year or this upcoming class, USC still has work to do in the SEC.  South Carolina’s class currently sits at 7th among SEC programs. Florida (No. 1), Georgia (No. 3), Alabama (No. 4), Tennessee (No. 5), LSU (No. 6) and Auburn (No. 12) rate ahead of them for 2010.  That is a tell-tell sign on how good the SEC is and in my opinion how good USC is becoming on a national level.  Yes, as mentioned they have work to do in the SEC but it would seem that Carolina is gaining ground.

A lot of ground could be made if Carolina gets some of the names, which are still in the hunt for 2010:
Marcus Lattimore (Duncan, S.C./James F. Byrnes), John Fulton (Manning, S.C./Manning) and Sharrif Floyd (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington).

SC currently has (as of 9/30/09):
16 commits
4 ESPNU Top 150 commits
6 4 star commits
6 3 star commits

Link to ESPN Top 15

Alabama Vs. USC

CBS has used there option to wait for 6 days before picking either Florida Vs. Arkansas or USC vs. Bama on October 17, 2009. The CBS game will be at 3:30 and the ESPN game will be at 7:45.

Gamecock Quote of the Day - Ric Flair says....

Comes via Ric Flair, the 16 world heavyweight champ, in this article, where he is quoted in making a bold prediction for the gamecocks......

“They’ll probably go undefeated the rest of the year. That’s my prediction. They’re that good.”

thoughts?  I wish I was that confident but the schedule is nasty. I will say it is a fact this team has talent and potential to make it interesting against 'Bama and UF.  They just need to step it up, play a complete game and develop a "killer attitude."

To Close in the words of Flair....Woooooooooooooo!

quote of the day from Saturday

SC STATE band announcer guy " welcome the Champagne Dancers from SC STATE Marching 101, if you are under 21 please do not watch, as you must be 21 to sip the Champagne Dancers."

Ten Questions from this past weekend

1.) Is this Bobby Bowden’s last year at FSU, losing to BC probably didn’t help?

2.) Bigger ACC blunder, UVA over UNC or Maryland over Clemson?

3.) Could Dabo be one and done at Clemson, if so, who will the tigers hire next?

4.) Stanford is 3-0 in the PAC-10, do they have a realistic chance of winning the PAC -10?

5.) ESPN has released there updated bowl projections, they have South Carolina playing in the Chick-fil-A bowl, is this a realistic expectation.

6.) Per the General. Are you more scared that you will get Swine Flu or your team will get the Swine Flu?

7.) Oregon’s coach Chip Kelly could reinstate LeGarrette Blount as early as the first week of November, do you think he should be allowed to play?

8.) Coach most likely to be fired before the season is over, can everybody say Dan Hawkins all at once?

9.) Does a SEC team have to go undefeated to make the National Championship Game?

10.) Is Auburn back, I am going to ask this question every week, Can Auburn win the SEC West this year?

Gamecock Recruiting News

After reading this today, I felt it would be good to pass on a few things concerning USC recruiting.

Calhoun County OL Eric Mack (6-4, 310), who had stated that he was "backing off" his pledge to be a gameock after a trip to Auburn, well now he is fully committed to being a gamecock football player and part of the 2010 class.

This is great news, as he will be a good kid for USC offensive line coach Eric Wolford.

Mack is rated 4 stars, 6th best OL and 10th best prospect in SC by Rivals - HERE.

South Carolina picked up a verbal commitment on Saturday when punter Patrick Fish (Lawndale, N.C./Burns) committed to the Gamecocks over Illinois and Central Florida.  The Gamecocks plan to redshirt Fish next season and give him the chance to win the job in 2011.  Fish averages 40 yards per punt with an average hangtime of 4.5 seconds.  MORE HERE.

Also take a gander at the Rivals.com South Carolina Preseason Top 30 2010

Mumme Poll Ballot

I will be voting in the Mummme Poll this year, which is a poll run by The 3rd Saturday in Blogtober and Get the Picture. The poll ranks the Top 12 teams but only the top 5 are specified in any one ballot. Unlike the traditional polls, there is no preseason or even early season voting. This ballot is the first of the year. Also, unlike traditional polls, you can vote in it if you want.

Senator Blutarsky explains:

The inspiration for the Mumme Poll came from the final 2007 regular season Coaches Poll and Tony Barnhart’s post breaking down some of the more questionable ballots. (You can read that post here.) The poll is in fact named in honor of the most questionable vote of that Coaches Poll – Hal Mumme’s ballot listing Hawaii as the number one team in the country.

In response, the initial Mumme Poll ran at Get The Picture for the 2008 season. Florida finished first at season’s end.

As far as your possible participation, the Senator continues:

We’re (small “d”) democrats here. Mumme Poll voting is open to any knowledgeable, enthusiastic college football fan. That’s part of the fun of it.

Follow the links for more information and explanation. If you want to vote, you need to hurry; I think they are going to close out registration at 9pm on Monday.

link, link, link

The ballot

1. Florida

Still undefeated after last year's national championship. Until proven otherwise, they are the number one team.

2. Alabama

Despite yesterday's meh-inducing win over Kentucky, they are playing like the most complete team in the country. Their wins over Arkansas and Virginia Tech continue to look impressive.

3. Virginia Tech

The Miami win and an understandable loss to Alabama put the Hokies in the Top 5.

4. Southern Cal

Road wins over Cal and Ohio State outweigh a head scratching loss to Washington.

5. LSU

Quality win at Georgia anchors an otherwise mediocre resume.



The rest, in no particular order

Texas

They look like a Top 5 team, but without a signature win, I don't think they deserve to be there yet. They will have plenty of opportunities to earn their way there.

Auburn

Undefeated and looking impressive while doing it, but no real signature win to propel them into the top 5.

Iowa

Clearly deserving because of their win at Penn State, but way-too-close wins over Northern Iowa and Arkansas State may indicate some chinks in the Hawkeye armor.

Cincinnati

Looking good against weak competition. How good are they? Will anyone on their schedule be good enough for us to judge?

Boise State

Relying on the Oregon win more than blind man relies on his seeing eye dog. Their putrid schedule will probably keep them out of the top 5, but they appear to be one of Top 12 teams in the country.

Miami

3-1 after playing the hardest opening schedule in the country.

Oregon

After an early loss to Boise State, the Ducks have rebounded nicely with wins over Utah and Cal.

Comments, arguments, irrational rants?

USC & SCSU reflections

The gamecocks love to make it interesting don't they?  Most had hoped that Carolina would make quick work of SCSU yesterday and then shift into cruise control.  But the team waited until the second half to get the offense going and allowed the SCSU to linger.  I am glad we won as SCSU is a good team, just wish SC got off to a faster start in the 1st half.  I agree with Spurrier that SCSU will win the MEAC conference.

So what are some good things to take away from this game -

• Garcia showed a nice touch on many of his 13 completions, but particularly on audibled touchdown throws to Brown in the third quarter.
• USC Kicker Adam Yates had a "touch back" .... need more of those!
• USC was good on converting 3rd downs - 7 for 13.
• Offense seemed balanced, as the ground game rolled up 213 yards while in the air 164 yds gained.
• Running backs Maddox, Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles took turns carrying the load Saturday night, and each proved effective. Giles led the way with 74 yards and a 6.7 average per rush while Miles averaged 6.0 yards on 10 carries and Maddox 6.4 yards on seven attempts.
• Moe Brown stepped up to big and is the 2nd USC receiver to post a 100-yard game this season, grabbing six balls for 100 yards. Brown had touchdown catches of 40 and 9 yards.

Some negative interesting things to build upon before UK -

• South Carolina, who entered the game leading the SEC in sacks, did not have one against the Bulldogs.  This has to improve going forward.  A good pass rush is essential to USC success.
• USC TE has to get back into the game, after making 12 catches for 146 yards in his first two games, tight end Weslye Saunders has just two catches in the Gamecocks' last three games and wasn't thrown to Saturday.
• Dear Moe - no more fumbles, use more "stick'em"
• Dion LeCron, Barnes and Gurley - step it up!  You guys have been quiet.

BOX SCORE

Akeem Auguste suspended indefinitely

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said after Saturday night's 38-14 victory against S.C. State that sophomore starting cornerback and punt returner Akeem Auguste will miss at least the next three games for violating a “team and university policy.”

“He's indefinitely suspended – we’ll wait and see the outcome,” Spurrier said.

Just another dumb thing, not sure the full story or why but regardless it is just dumb.  The kids must remember that they are part of a team.  If they make a dumb mistake it impacts the entire team.  It is unfortunate for Auguste and for the team with the meat of the SEC schedule ahead.

C.C. Whitlock replaced Auguste in the starting lineup. Stephon Gilmore, the other starting cornerback, filled in for Auguste as the punt returner.

Gamecocks Clippings / Weekend News Round-up

Here is some news links to fill your gamecock heart up today....

First - GAMECOCKS ARE #25 in AP Poll

USC Football
I wouldn't go so far to say - Gamecocks light up Bulldogs
Brown did step up and deliver for Gamecocks
USC breaks free of S.C. State
South Carolina rolls past S.C. State, 38-14
Halfway Runaway: USC sinks S.C. State
A lesson in Perseverance from Moe Brown
Running backs mix things up
Power goes out on TV broadcast

Good Read Today on SEC from Sporting News

• The first says the SEC is all about economics.
• The second says the SEC is all about competition.

Another Good Sunday read...

• Painkillers: A big, and unregulated, part of college football

Gamecocks #25 in AP Poll

Congrats to The University of South Carolina Gamecocks who have moved into the AP Top 25 for the first time this season. 

They currently sit at #25!

Co Cocks!

More Here and Poll Here

The Gamecocks are not ranked in the USA Today coaches poll, finishing 27th in the voting behind Georgia.

38-14....Gamecocks beat SCSU

Well it was not easy to start but the gamecocks got the train moving in the second half to prove too much for the SC State bulldogs.  USC won 38-14.

Gamecocks improve to 4-1 overall and have a SEC fight coming to town next with the UK Wildcats.

More later....

5 keys for Carolina vs. SCSU Today

The gamecocks need to avoid an upset today against a good SCSU bulldogs team.  The most pressing concern for the Gamecocks is to avoid a letdown against South Carolina State. As good as South Carolina State is, the fact remains that they are a good FCS team, not a top five FBS team like Ole Miss. The challenge is for the Gamecocks to bring the same intensity on Saturday they brought last Thursday.

As my prediction and preview earlier noted, I feel that Carolina will win this game 38-10.  BUT for that to happen there are 5 keys to the game from the LOHD perspective....

1.  Play with urgency till late in 2nd half  ---  the gamecocks must come out the gate strong.  Play with energy, heart and determination.  Play with "fire in the belly" and like their "heads are on fire."  SC must score early and often to begin this game.  Set the tempo, establish a comfortable lead and in the 2nd half get some other players time to play.  Thus the 1st teamers get rest, avoid key injuries and us the fans can enjoy watching a good win.

2.  USC rush defense --- the D line of Carolina is a little beat up due to injuries but this is college football and no excuses are allowed.  Time once again for the Carolina defense to lead the charge into this in-state battle and get the job done.  Two years ago, the Bulldogs rushed for 196 yards against Carolina in the loss at Williams-Brice.  That type stat can not be allowed today.  The gamecocks must shut down the SCSU rushing attack lead by a great runner in Will Ford.  He has to be contained and limited.  By doing this, it will force SCSU to pass against a good secondary lead by SC safety Culliver. 

3.  USC success in red zone --- USC needs TDs not FGs today.  As much as LOHD wants to see Spencer Lanning build upon his nine consecutive field goals and get the needed six more to break the school record....well I prefer to see TDs.  Don't care if its a WR or a TE or rushing.  Just get it done.  If we settle for FGs then SCSU lingers and we don't want that.

4.  USC rushing attack must attack --- the multi headed rushing machine with Maddox, Miles, Giles, Sherman and Baker must have success in moving the ball today.  I would love to see the gamecocks get close to 200 yards rushing today.  I want Garcia/McCollum to get some good throws in but really want to see Carolina have a nice lead and all they have to do is hand-off.

5.  S. Carolina Capitalizing on Opportunities --- gotta get SCSU to make a mistake or many but the most important point is that USC must make them pay for it.

still feeln' Carolina wins this 38-10, thoughts?

No deja vu for USC's Pepper or South Carolina today

I am sure for South Carolina senior defensive tackle Nathan Pepper tonights game may bring back some painful memories.  As you the gamecock fan will recall, the last time USC took on SCSU that 2007 team won that game, 38-3, and got off to a fast start that year.

But what hurt during that SCSU game for gamecocks fans watching and for Pepper just two years ago was when he picked off a pass in the first quarter and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown.

That was great for him and the Carolina defense but after he got to pay-dirt some strange way he ended up tearing his ACL.  Thus Mr. Pepper missed the remainder of the season.  Just like that was a let down for him the season was a let down for SC fans. 

During that 2007 campaign, the Gamecocks peaked at 6-1 and No. 6 in the country before tumbling out of the polls and the bowl picture in losing their final five games.

Let's avoid disappointment today.

No freak injuries, no loss and remain focused on taking it one game at a time in 2009.

Gamecocks Depth Chart Today for SCSU Game

The following is the official USC depth chart for the Oct. 3 game with South Carolina State but could change slightly....

Offense

QB
5 Stephen Garcia R-So. 6-2 219
14 Reid McCollum R-Fr. 6-3 218

FB
47 Patrick DiMarco Jr. 6-0 243
46 Dalton Wilson R-Fr. 6-0 223

RB
10 Brian Maddox Jr. 5-11 224
3 Jarvis Giles Fr. 5-11 183
31 Kenny Miles R-Fr 5-9 190

WR
81 Tori Gurley R-Fr. 6-5 227
1 Alshon Jeffery Fr. 6-3 217

WR
9 Moe Brown Sr. 6-0 183
18 Dion LeCorn Jr. 5-11 220

WR
4 Jason Barnes R-Soph. 6-4 199
82 D.L. Moore R-Fr. 6-3 202

LT
76 Jarriel King Jr. 6-5 312
68 Kyle Nunn R-Soph. 6-6 283

LG
74 Heath Batchelor R-Jr. 6-7 315
62 Pierre Andrews R-Jr. 6-2 285

C
70 Garrett Anderson Sr. 6-4 315
57 Lem Jeanpierre R- Sr. 6-4 300

RG
55 T.J. Johnson R-Fr. 6-4 300
60 Terrence Campbell R-Jr. 6-3 290

RT
72 Quintin Richardson R-Soph. 6-3 296
66 Hutch Eckerson R-Jr. 6-6 290

TE
88 Weslye Saunders Jr. 6-5 280
87 Justice Cunningham Fr. 6-4 240

Defense

DE
98 Devin Taylor R-Fr. 6-7 232
96 Clifton Geathers Jr. 6-8 281

DT
91 Ladi Ajiboye Jr. 6-1 285
6 Melvin Ingram R-So. 6-2 297

DT
95 Nathan Pepper R-Sr. 6-1 300
43 Aldrick Fordham Fr. 6-4 258

DE
83 Cliff Matthews Jr. 6-4 249
92 Byron McKnight R-So.. 6-4 229
90 Chaz Sutton Fr. 6-4 240

WLB
40 Eric Norwood Sr. 6-1 252
44 Tony Straughter Jr. 6-0 209

MLB
16 Shaq Wilson So. 5-11 210
41 Josh Dickerson Jr. 6-1 221

SPUR
26 Antonio Allen Soph. 6-2 210
33 DaMario Jeffery Fr. 6-4 215

CB
5 Stephon Gilmore Fr. 6-1 188
36 D.J. Swearinger Fr. 5-11 196

FS
17 Chris Culliver Jr. 6-0 190
11 Jarrett Burns R-Fr. 6-2 180

SS
24 Darian Stewart Sr. 5-11 216
21 Devonte Holloman Fr. 6-2 211

CB
3 Akeem Auguste Soph. 5-10 180
12 C.C. Whitlock Soph. 5-10 173

Week 5 in the SEC - Who is playing who...

No. 3 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC)
Kick-off: 12:21 ET, SEC Network/ESPN Regional

No. 4 LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC) at No. 18 Georgia (3-1, 2-0 SEC)
Kick-off: 3:30 p.m., CBS

No. 21 Mississippi (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-2 SEC)
Kick-off: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU

No. 25 Georgia Tech (3-1) at Mississippi State (2-2, 1-2 SEC)
Kick-off: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSS

Texas A&M (3-0) vs. Arkansas (1-2, 0-2 SEC)
Kick-off: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Auburn (4-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. Tennessee (2-2, 0-1 SEC)
Kick-off: 7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN

Bye: Florida

and don't forget USC v SCSU !  Go Cocks!

Sports Illustrated picture of the week

USC Gamecocks v SCSU Bulldogs Preview / Prediction

USC (3-1, 1-1 SEC) takes on The South Carolina State Bulldogs on 10/3/09 at 7:05pm and aired on ESPN Classic. This will not be a ‘classic’ but it should be a good game for USC before getting back to SEC play.

These two schools are a mere 34 miles apart and this is only their second time playing each other in the history of college football. South Carolina State University (SCSU) is no push over or should not be viewed as an “easy win.” The Bulldogs are currently ranked 16th in the country in FCS and finished the regular season last year with a 10-3 record. So what is important for the team from Columbia is not to overlook the bulldogs from Orangeburg, South Carolina.

A win Saturday for Carolina would give the Gamecocks a 5-game winning streak at Williams-Brice Stadium. Also it would add to Coach Spurrier’s career record versus teams from non-BCS conferences which currently stands at 37-0 and 18-6 against teams from the Palmetto State.

The most important thing again is for Carolina not to go into this game thinking it will be a breeze as even the Ol’ Ball Coach has stated it will be a “dog fight.”

SCSU offense v USC Defense: The bulldogs bring to Columbia a team that is averaging 28 points a game and just defeated Winston-Salem State 27-10 at home to improve to 3-0 on the season. They are not a team that makes a lot of mistakes as they only have turned the ball over 4 times all year on offense. So they are disciplined and bring a balanced attack with an average of 190 through the air and 153 on the ground. They are lead by their QB Malcolm Long who has thrown 4 TDs with only 1 INT thus far. He has passed for 523 yds. Mr. Long likes to target WR OliverTre Young who has 19 catches for 245 yds. When trying to run the ball, their guy is RB William Ford. He has carried the ball 49 times for 265 yds and 2 TDs. Their weakness this week may lie in the offensive line and look for USC to be aggressive in their hunt for Long. USC will blanket their wideout Mr. Young and look to force the Qb to throw to someone else. The SC defense will try to slow the rushing attack as SCSU wants to establish the run. Look for USC’s defense to again be lights out as they want to build upon the Ole Miss win. Should be fun to watch SCSU’s O-line vs USC’s D-line.

SCSU Defense vs. USC Offense: The playmakers for SCSU are: David Erby with 26.5 tackles (22 solo); Julius Wilkerson 13.5 tackles (8 solo) and Jayson Ayers at DE. They do a lot of the right things and can cause turnovers. Look for South Carolina to come out ready to establish the run in this game. I feel the “running back by committee” that Carolina uses will get plenty of turns in this game. Garcia is a little banged up with his ribs so it is crucial for him not to get exposed too much this game. The other thing to watch for is the occasional testing of the deep ball. Spurrier will want to air it out a few times and it will be worth watching to see if USC can get open down field and SC not throw dumb passes. Expect to see Gurley, Barnes and Saunders getting plenty of looks. But don’t forget about Moe Brown and LeCron. I can see everyone getting involved this game.

Basically, I feel this game will be a normal game for Carolina…one that is about ball control, field position, no TOs, great defense and a balanced offensive attack. Not a lot of flash in this game but hope I am wrong because a blow-out by USC will do wonders for the team after the Ole Miss win. I do not want to watch a close game and this game should not be close. Must avoid the let down! USC should be just simply too much for SCSU to handle. And with that I can see USC winning this game by 3-4 scores with the possible outcome sounding like 38-10 in favor of the Gamecocks.

Thoughts?

Gamecocks need a win for .500

The Univ of South Carolina is in its 116th year of intercollegiate football, USC is now 530-531-44 all-time and could get back to .500 overall with a victory over South Carolina State on Saturday. 

Let's get that 'W' and call it even.

It's not just football

Here is an article from the Post and Courier by Travis Haney, that will help you understand just how special Eric Norwood really is. Does Eric truly have a shot at winning the Heisman trophy, No, but will he get the chance to play on Sundays, Yes. Here is a article that show you just how much character Eric has, and how much respect he deserves.