Gamecocks BEAT Clemson 34-17

Above is the pic of the scoreboard LOHD took exiting Williams-Brice Stadium after watching Carolina beat Clemson rather easily despite the opening kickoff.

34-17 !  Let's say it again ... 34-17 !

Cheers to all the gamecocks out there!

Boxscore

5 keys to a Gamecocks WIN v Clemson Tigers

The South Carolina Gamecocks v Klempson Clemzen Klempzen Cow U Tiggers Clemson rivalry game is the longest uninterrupted rivalry series in the South, and the third longest uninterrupted rivalry series overall, having been played every year since 1909.  And today it is yet again the “Battle of the Palmetto State" and it is a must win for USC.

I gave you my preview/prediction yesterday and asked the most questioned thought leading up to the game, so now I have to lay out the 5 keys to a S.Carolina Win -

Going to keep it simple and short due to leaving in a few mins....

1.  Play with "Fire in the Belly" ---  It is a noon-er and the gamecocks have to come out with their heads on fire.  Garnet & Black Attack and I agree on this one - team has to come out strong, fast and ready to prove to the world that it is SEC football and no ACC team can hang.  I want to see every single player play with heart and leave 110% of their effort on the field today.  No excuses, hit the crap out of the opposing player and get after it as every play deserves all your effort.  It is senior day and show us what it means to wear the garnet&black.  I want the fans to do the same as we have to be behind the team today so get cocky and loud!

2.  Pressure Parker --- the gamecocks D has to disrupt Kyle today.  Have to rattle the kid and knock him around.  He can not be allowed to have all the time in the world.

3.  Contain the the Clemson Speed --- With 110% effort also comes playing under control and this means keeping clemson players (they have speed) in front of ya....don't miss tackles and don't give up the home run ball (i.e watch the CJ wheel route).

4.  No USC shooting themselves --- please don't dig a hole, please USC play smart, no dumb penalities or anything stupid. 

5.  USC success on Offense --- USC has to score today, not FGs but TDs.  USC has to have success establishing the run and this will allow for a good passing game to be conducted.  Garcia please make smart passes as the Clemson secondary is good so don't aim too high and if throwing away make sure you truly throw it away.  I normally say that the game is up to the Carolina D but this game I feel is up to the Carolina offense as they will have to score more than their 14pts per game average of late to make this a win by 330pm today.

I still think Carolina will win due to the right second half adjustments on D and I would love for Carolina to score first to start the game with a quick strike.  I think Carolina wins this 23-20 24-21 27-24.

Gamecocks Question of the Day - Will South Carolina be able to stop CJ Spiller?

Yesterday at the 'Turkey Day' celebration the one question that kept coming up when talking about the Gamecocks v Clemson Game is ...

Will the South Carolina Gamecocks Football Team be able to make Clemson RB CJ Spiller ineffective on Offense and Special Teams ?

I propose the question to you....

Gamecocks v Clemson Tigers Prediction/Preview

What would it take for Gamecock fans to consider this season a success?

Beating Palmetto State rival Clemson on Saturday would be a good start. But it won't be easy.

Read my other writings and you will get a understanding of my thoughts on this game -

• LOHD Thoughts on Gamecocks Defense v Clemson Offense
• LOHD thoughts on Gamecocks Offense v Tigers Defense
• For The Gamecocks, Clemson Game is a "Must Win"

Now you know where I am coming from...

South Carolina enters Saturday’s rivalry game with a 6-5 overall record and finished the season with a 3-5 SEC mark. Clemson rolls into Williams-Brice Stadium on a six-game winning streak and with a reservation to next week's ACC Championship Game…..Can Carolina burst the orange bubble?

Saturday’s game is huge for South Carolina. If the Gamecocks were to win they would finish the season 7-5 and avoid another late season total collapse. USC would end a two-game losing streak to Clemson and give its fans a year’s worth of bragging rights. Spurrier would take a fairly positive attitude into the final stages of recruiting and onto the speaking circuit with Gamecock Club meetings. Spurrier would improve his record to 2-3 against Clemson and 1-1 against Dabo.

However, a loss for South Carolina Saturday would mean another 6-6 season. It would mean another late season slide by losing four in a row and five of their six games. It would mean Clemson would have beaten the Gamecocks 11 of the past 13 seasons. Recruiting would be more difficult for the Class of 2011. The fan base would be depressed and I wonder what Spurrier could tell the faithful to inspire them to get excited about the 2010 season. South Carolina cannot afford another poor effort against the Tigers.

The game is always big for both teams but I think this is a huge game for USC and its future.

The Gamecocks are headed to a bowl game, win or lose against Clemson. But this game is really about changing perception of the program and one of the seniors says it best -

"It can change the whole course of the season in a matter of one game," All-American linebacker Eric Norwood told GoGamecocks.com.

That is right Mr. Norwood and I hope the Gamecocks are ready to play some ball because this is a “must win game” in my view….

I predict that the game will be tight in the first half as the Gamecocks must answer Clemson on every play.  The Gamecocks must not let CJ Spiller shine on Saturday and limit him (plus Jacoby Ford) on offense.  I can easliy see this game tied at halftime (possibly a 10-10, 14-14 or 17-17) then look to Ellis Johnson to make the right adjustments at halftime and really win this game because of the gamecocks D.  I think due to some Clemson TOs late the Gamecocks win this game 27-24.

Thoughts?

LOHD Thoughts on Gamecocks Defense v Clemson Offense

Gamecocks Defense v Clemson Offense

Clemson enters this game Hot as they average 33 points a game and 371 yards per game (204 passing and 167 rushing).  The Gamecocks are 17th in the nation and third in the SEC in total defense allowing 308.73 yards per game. USC is tied for 28th in the nation and fifth in the SEC in scoring defense giving up 20.73 points per game.


South Carolina is led by linebacker Eric Norwood (6-1, 252, Sr) has 66 tackles including seven sacks. He is a player that has to be accounted for on every play.

Love to see Norwood give a good hit on CJ Spiller early on.

Clemson is going to try to establish the run on their side much like I said early USC needs to do.  Clemson has the 46th nationally ranked rushing offense with 166.73 per game.  South Carolina is 63rd in the nation and seventh in the SEC in rushing defense allowing 145.09 yards per game. Linebacker Shaq Wilson (5-11, 210, So) is the team’s leading tackler with 73 stops.  The USC LBs and DEs will have to shut down the running game...contain their speed.  RB CJ Spiller has 172 carries for 894 yards, 7 TD and his back up, Andre Ellington, has 57 carries for 395 yards with 3 TDs.

The Gamecocks are 41st in the country and fifth in the league in sacks with 2.27 sacks per game.  Clemson is ranked 44th in nation for sacks allowed so it is possible to get to the QB.  USC - this is a must in this game!  Defensive end Cliff Matthews has 41 tackles and six sacks. Clifton Geathers (6-8, 281, Jr) has 36 tackles and three sacks.  If USC can not pressure Parker then it could be a long day.

CU QB Kyle Parker has thrown for18 TDs, 9 INTs and 2,082 yards with a 55.7% completion rate.  South Carolina is seventh in the nation and third in the SEC in passing defense giving up 163.64 yards per game. Clemson is 80th in the nation in passing offense with just over 200 yards per.  This si the Gamecocks strength.  Safety Chris Culliver (6-0, 190, Jr) has 54 tackles. Spur Darien Stewart (5-11, 216, Sr) has 50 tackles. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore (6-1, 188, Fr) has 48 tackles. 

Clemson has really 3 targets - TE Michael Palmer then their speed demons who can take it to the house at any time....WR Jacoby Ford has 45 rec for 654 yards, 5 TD and CJ Spiller has 29 catchs for 421 yards with 4 TDs.

So the Gamecocks must pressure the QB, eliminate the CU running threat or at least contain it, play good pass coverage (watch the CJ Spiller Wheel route) and most important do not give up the home run play.


More - Gamecocks Offense v Clemson Defense

LOHD thoughts on Gamecocks Offense v Tigers Defense

Gamecocks Offense v Tigers Defense

South Carolina is 101st in the country and 11th in the SEC in scoring offense with a 20.64 points per game. USC is 75th in the country and ninth in their conference in total offense by averaging 356.64 yards per game. To win this game it will take more than 20 points for Carolina.

The gamecocks must spread the ball around and that means the Gamecocks must establish the run.

South Carolina is 97th in the country and last in the SEC in rushing offense with 116.09 yards per game. Kenny Miles (5-9, 183, Fr) leads the team in rushing with 488 yards on 94 carries with one touchdown. Jarvis Giles (5-11, 183, Fr) has 52 carries for 277 yards and a touchdown. Brian Maddox (5-11, 224, Jr) has 82 carries for 261 yards and four touchdowns.  Please 1 of you 3 step up and hit the holes....

Gamecocks must play “pitch and catch” today and move the ball effectively as we all know a good offense is sometimes the best defense.

Stephen Garcia (6-2, 219, So) has had a very good season under center. He has completed 213 of 373 passes for 2,607 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also has 91 carries for 84 yards and four touchdowns. The Gamecocks are 40th in the nation and second in the SEC in passing offense with 240.55 yards per game. Alshon Jeffrey (6-3, 217, Fr) is the leading receiver with 39 receptions for 670 yards and six touchdowns. Moe Brown (6-0, 183, Sr) has 31 catches for 454 yards and three touchdowns. Tori Gurley (6-5, 227, Fr) has 26 receptions for 376 yards and a touchdown. Jason Barnes (6-4, 199, So) has 24 catches for 266 yards. Tight end Wesley Saunders (6-5, 280, Jr) has 28 receptions for 350 yards and a touchdown.

Look for Clemson and the Kevin Steele D to play “lights out” and try to get to Garcia. Clemson enters that game allowing 18.2 pts per game and only 297 yards per game (170 passing, 127 rushing).

What worries me the most for the USC offense versus the Clemson D is the Gamecocks offensive line. USC is 109th in the nation and last in the SEC in sacks allowed giving up 3.0 sacks per game. Garcia can not allow the pressure to disrupt him as he needs time to throw and make good passes. South Carolina must do a better job of protecting the quarterback against a Clemson defense that leads the ACC in sacks.

My other concern is Garcia and his ability here lately to throw INTs. Garcia threw only two interceptions in his first five games. But Garcia has thrown four in his last three games, including two against Florida in his last game. Clemson is No. 1 in the ACC in turnover ratio and has 20 interceptions….eh scary.

The Gamecocks offense must establish the run early, try the Cocky formation with Gilmore and other trick plays…heck do all you can to keep Clemson guessing. The main thing is the offensive line must play their best game for the Gamecocks to win this game.

More - Gamecocks D v Clemson O

High School Football Playoffs

Well the playoffs in high school football are winding down and this is the last friday before the championship weekend in Columbia. The game of the week is Northwestern vs. South Pointe. These cross town rivals meet again in the 4a division 2 playoffs. Northwester lost the state championship last year to South Pointe. This game will show case two of the most highly recruited players in the country for the 2011 class. Trojans quarterback Justin Worley and South Pointe defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. This will be one of those games that people are the state will talk about for years. South Pointe might be one of the newest high schools in the state of South Carolina but they have quickly made a name for them selves as one of the best football programs around. Worley is a product of a spread offense that gives him the opportunity to throw the ball all over the field. Northwestern better hope to slow down Clowney, or it could be a long day for the Trojan offense. If they do slow down Clowney the other end Gerald Dixon can also wreak havoc in the back field. In the end another school from Rock Hill will end up in Columbia playing for a state championship. If you live in the area I highly recommend checking this game out tonight at District 3 Stadium in Rock Hill.

Gamecocks v Clemson Tigers Video

Watch it and get ready for a great game....GO COCKS!




{video credit - gamecocktrev}

Thank You Gamecock Seniors !

Nine Gamecock seniors will be honored in pre-game ceremonies on Saturday:

OL Garrett Anderson
WR Moe Brown
LB John Guerry
OL Lemuel Jeanpierre
LB Eric Norwood
DT Nathan Pepper
LB Gerrod Sinclair
WR Scotty Spurrier
DB Darian Stewart

The Gamecocks are tied with Duke for the 2nd smallest senior class in the country with just these 9 above.

Thanks guys for bleeding Garnet!

Gamecocks v Clemson Tigers "DYK"

This is the 107th meeting between the two schools in football, dating back to 1896.  The two teams have met every year since 1909.

Clemson holds the all-time lead in the series, 65-37-4.
The tigers hold a 49-29-3 advantage when the game is played in Cola and the tigers are 16-8-1 in games played in Clemson.

CU has won 6 of the last 7 and 10 of the last 12.  This is the 4th time in 5 years that atleast 1 team is ranked heading into the match-up.

USC Coach Spurrier is 2-5 vs Clemson.  CU has won 2 straight vs the Gamecocks.

Last year, the tigers won 31-14 due to rushing the ball and a 24-0 lead that the Gamecocks could not overcome.

Gamecocks v Clemson Tigers Rivalry Roundtable

The ACC&SEC Blog conducted a roundtable with various SEC and ACC schools weighing in on what their respected rivalry game means.  As you know, we have UGa v GT, USC v CU and UF v FSU this week going head to head so blogs from the represented schools got to weigh in.....check it out -

ACC vs SEC Rivalries Combine History, Passion, and Hatred

For The Gamecocks, Clemson Game is a "Must Win"

This is something I penned the other day for another site I write on from time to time, thought it would be good for the LOHD blog....
_______

For The Gamecocks, Clemson Game is a "Must Win"

In the eyes of many, the biggest game of the year is about to take place in South Carolina. The type of game that divides families or can ruin friendships; this is not just any old rivalry game but it is the “Battle of the Palmetto State.”

The USC/Clemson rivalry game is the longest uninterrupted series in the South and the third longest uninterrupted series overall, having been played every year since 1909. Clemson leads the football series 65-37-4, but approximately forty games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Winning in the Clemson and USC rivalry is everything to these two schools that lie 129 miles apart. Folks in South Carolina will tell you one thing with certainty – beating the rival is a must. From creating story’s that pass on and never get old like “The Prank” or “The Catch” (one or two). To being part of CU/USC rivalry game events - South Carolina holds the "Tiger Burn", and Clemson holds a mock funeral for “Cocky.” Even if their team were to lose every game but beat either Carolina or Clemson, they would consider the season a success. To say this is a rivalry like any other is to say Lebron James is just a normal basketball player….a huge understatement.

Now, yet again the big game is upon us and the two teams are on two different paths. For Carolina, starting 6-2 yet now staring at 6-6….let’s just say a win is needed to right a sinking ship known as the 2009 season. For Clemson, a magical season is in process with a higher calling as ACC glory is around the corner.

On November 28th, the recently crowned ACC Atlantic Division Champs Clemson Tigers will enter Williams-Brice Stadium looking to continue their six game winning streak and place a dagger into the hearts of Gamecock Nation who have watched their Gamecocks lose three straight games. The University of South Carolina football team is in desperate need of a win to reverse another late season slide and at the same type create a new chapter in the “Palmetto State Rivalry” that has been dominated by Clemson of late winning seven of the last nine games.

For South Carolina, this game has all the elements of a “must win” scenario. Just like in most rivalries, winning the big game can either put icing on the cake and deem the season a success or add fuel to the fire to make for a disgruntle offseason. The Gamecocks need to get a win no matter how close or ugly to obtain an elusive seventh win which translates to a better post-season bowl game. Even USC qb Stephen Garcia has dubbed this game a “must win” when he stated after the Florida game to the media, "Being 7-5 as opposed to 6-6 would be huge for us." Garcia continued by saying "… this is a huge game for us. In my opinion, and I think the rest of the team, I think it's a must-win for us."

For the average fan of college football, who could care nothing of this game, it has the makings of one to watch to see how the big bad ACC division champs do against a middle of the pack SEC team. The same can be said for the Georgia Tech vs. Georgia game. At stake is the quick rebuttal from fans of SEC teams about how superior the SEC is when ACC fans talk about how good their respective teams are in the ACC. It will be interesting to see how Georgia and South Carolina do against these two teams that will meet in Tampa in two weeks.

With whispers growing, right or wrong, about Spurrier’s tenure at Carolina, a win versus Clemson would quickly silence the minority. It would also open up a chance to get an eight win season if a win in the bowl game could be achieved and that is something that has not been done but two other times this decade.

For THE University of South Carolina, a win needs to be achieved in this upcoming rivalry game to show glimmers of progression in the Spurrier lead program not to mention to make headway in the in-state recruiting battles. Spurrier and Gamecock fans across the world would love nothing less but to burst the orange bubble; to have the opportunity to relish in the notion of beating the rival, showing how much better the SEC is and to hold the coveted bragging rights for a year.

Happy Turkey Day from LOHD!

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 feel free to do so.

PS - Beat Klempzen !

Answers to some questions on the upcoming Clemson game

Recently, The ACC & SEC Blog asked us at LOHD to comment on four questions.  Below is our responses to those questions that will be posted over at his blog.  After you read our thoughts please visit The ACC & SEC Blog as he does a very good job weighing in on things of the ACC/SEC nature.
_

Question #1 - What this rivalry means to you and the fanbase of your team?

Winning in the Clemson and USC rivalry is everything to these two schools that lie 129 miles apart. Folks in South Carolina will tell you one thing with certainty—beating the rival is a must. Most in South Carolina like one or other, rarely do you see a person that likes both so it creates a love/hate arrangement in the state. In the eyes of many, the biggest game of the year is about to take place in South Carolina. The type of game that divides families or can ruin friendships; this is not just any old rivalry game but it is the “Battle of the Palmetto State.”

Question #2 - What a win would mean?

The University of South Carolina football team is in desperate need of a win to reverse another late season slide, and at the same time create a new chapter in the “Palmetto State Rivalry” that has been dominated by Clemson of late, winning seven of the last nine games.

Saturday’s game is huge for South Carolina – “must win!” If the Gamecocks were to win they would finish the season 7-5 and avoid another late season total collapse. USC would end a two-game losing streak to Clemson and give its fans a year’s worth of bragging rights. Spurrier would take a fairly positive attitude into the final stages of recruiting and onto the speaking circuit with Gamecock Club meetings. Spurrier would improve his record to 2-3 against Clemson and 1-1 against Dabo.

Question #3 - What a loss would mean?

A loss for South Carolina Saturday would mean another 6-6 season. It would mean another late season slide by losing four in a row and five of their six games. It would mean Clemson would have beaten the Gamecocks 11 of the past 13 seasons. Recruiting would be more difficult for the Class of 2011. The fan base would be depressed and I wonder what Spurrier could tell the faithful to inspire them to get excited about the 2010 season. South Carolina cannot afford another poor effort against the Tigers.

Question #4 - Anything else you would like to throw in (is this your biggest rival why/why not?, history, etc...

Winning in the Clemson and USC rivalry is everything to these two schools that lie 129 miles apart. Clemson leads the football series 65-37-4, but approximately forty games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

The USC/Clemson rivalry game is the longest uninterrupted series in the South, and the third longest uninterrupted series overall, having been played every year since 1909.

GO COCKS! Beat Clemson!

SEC Football on the Tube this week

FRIDAY

• Alabama at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. ET, CBS

SATURDAY

• Clemson at South Carolina, noon ET, ESPN
• Ole Miss at Mississippi State, 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network/ESPN Regional
• Florida State at Florida, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
• Arkansas at LSU, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Tennessee at Kentucky, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
• Georgia at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m. ET, ABC

Gamecock Clippings / News in Review

Gamecock Football

• For Gamecocks, Clemson Game Is a "Must Win"
• Catch-22
• Clemson ready for anything
• Pulling for the garnet 
• Spurrier tries to redirect a tired line of questioning
• Norwood aim: Slow Spiller
• Spurrier: Last year's distractions not present in '09
• Sudden impact
• USC's bowl picture remains far from perfect
• 'Anger' fuels Norwood for rivalry
• USC-Clemson rivalry: Unforgettable moments

SEC
SEC Power Poll  Week 12

Gamecock Basketball
Sprained knee sidelines senior Archie 4-6 weeks

SEC Power Poll: The LOHD Week 12 Ballot

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Looked like they enjoyed demolishing a cupcake team.  Final Test before UF showdown this weekend.

2. Florida Gators
Poor FIU as the gators proved they can hurt you many ways...but can they topple Bama that is the final question.

3. Ole Miss Rebels
Best second half team of the season in the SEC.  Imagine if they figured things out to start the season.

4. LSU Tigers
Clock Management was a issue at the end but the fact is they got beat by a better team.

5. Arkansas Razorbacks
QB Ryan Mallet proving why he is going to be the best QB in the SEC in 2010.

6. Tennessee Volunteers
Is saying you beat Vandy really saying something this year?

7. Kentucky Wildcats
Don't look know but the UK football team gave the fans something to talk about during basketball season.

8. Auburn
Rested up and Gene if you win this over Bama you will be a god in the eyes of Auburn nation.

9. South Carolina Gamecocks
Bye week and now it will be interesting to see how they fare vs the ACC Atlantic champs.

10.  Georgia Bulldogs
It was UK...Someone will have to be sacrificed on the UGA coaching staff - will it be Bobo or Martinez?

11. Mississippi St. Bulldogs
Keep building Dan....got something going just not your year.

12. Vanderbilt Commodores
Vandy, sometimes college football is not fair.

Nothing to do with Nothing football news

Well if Notre Dame didn't have enough going on, it looks like there are reports of Jimmy Clausen getting punched in the face at a bar in South Bend after the game on Saturday night. There is nothing like losing to UConn, then going out to celebrate with family and teammates. This isn't Clausen's first run in with the law involving alcohol. I have a feeling Clausen might have been celebrating his final home game, as he will probably leave for the NFL after the season. Well if he is smart he will leave for the NFL after this season.

More Tennessee news, as it looks like Kiffen has decided to let Janzen Jackson back on the team after the charges were dropped against him for his involvement in the armed robbery that took place back on November 11, 2009. Jackson said that he did not know that the other 2 players were going to rob somebody. I am not sure how he did not know it was going to happen. They were just driving around Knoxville looking for something to do, when it just came to them..."Lets go rob somebody"..hmmm.

On recruiting news it looks like Lattimore has choosen to make his decision on February 2. Hopefully, he will pick the Gamecocks as we need to keep all the instate talent we can.

Picture credit

Gamecocks Offensive Players watch out for the Clemson Eye Poker

Gamecocks Offensive Players watch out for this dirty bastard as he will try to gouge your eye out like he did on the FSU player.

Watch:


Start to watch at the 0:04 mark, Andre Branch (#40) grabs #79 (David Spurlock) by the helmet, snaps his neck back, holds his head and sticks his fingers into Spurlock's facemask, an obvious eye gouge. Then Branch gets up, talks trash to the justifiably angry Spurlock, points to the sky, and dances around.

Plain out dirty but hey it is klempson right...

Archie Injury Update

Good news / bad news.... Dominique has a sprained knee and will be out indefinitely. They will re-evaluate at a later date and seems to not be a ACL or MCL issue. The early word is he could be back in time for SEC play. 
This is the same kind of injury that guard Brandis Raley-Ross suffered last year, and he returned after missing six nonconference games. This is a killer blow to a gamecock team as before the injury Archie lead the team in scoring and rebounding, now as witnessed in the Miami loss it could create some issues.

Photo credit

Mumme Poll Ballot

1. Florida
Demolished an inferior opponent at home. Why was this game even played?

2. Alabama
See above.

3. Texas
Beat weak Kansas team. No real games left on schedule until bowl.

4. Georgia Tech
Hammered a tougher than usual (though still not tough) Duke team.

5. TCU
Avoid upset at Wyoming. Won't lose to New Mexico; who will they play in the Fiesta Bowl?

Ohio State
Dominance over Michigan continues. Next up: Rose Bowl disappointment.

Cincinnati
Off week. Nothing to see here.

Pittsburgh
Off week. West Virginia coming up next. Can the Mountaineers ruin Pitt's BCS
chances like Pitt did to them a few years ago?

Oregon
Does anyone have a good handle on this team?

Boise State
Blew out an inferior opponent, like they should have, but still seem to be missing something; I'm not sure what.

Oklahoma State
Really not missing Dez Bryant that much, are they? Could win their 10th game and make Oklahoma 6-6.

LSU
Not sure they belong, but who else do you put here?

10 questions for this week / Mangino vs. Weis edition

1.) It has been a long season for Charlie Weis and Mark Mangino , so who do you consider a better coach?

2.) Who will be pushed out the door first Charlie or Mark?

3.) Who would win in a sumo wrestling match Charlie or Mark?

4.) Who would win in a hot dog eating contest?

5.) If both are fired after this season, who has the best chance of coaching next season in college football?

6.) If Notre Dame and Kansas meet on the football field, who would win this season?

7.) Who would you rather play for?

8.) What is your position on Mangino's comments to players that came out this past week. Part of football, or just plan wrong?

9.) If you were playing a backyard football game, and you had the last pick. Who would you pick to play offensive line for you and why? Mark or Charlie

10.) If your favorite team was without a coach, who would you prefer your school to hire as there new head coach, Mark or Charlie

Bonus Trivia question, Mark Mangino and Charlie Weis were never college football players, there are 4 other Division 1 head coaches that never played college football, name them?

WR Recruit Nick Jones picks Gamecocks over Michigan

The University of South Carolina Gamecocks got a great wide receiver threat to verbally commit to be a future gamecock Sunday night.   The 5 ft 8in 180 pounder Nick Jones out of Byrnes HS chose the gamecocks over Michigan, Auburn, Northern Illinois, Georgia Southern, Penn State and some other programs.

ESPN/Scouts Inc. rates Jones a three-star prospect with an overall grade of 77. He is the nation’s No. 86 overall wide receiver prospect.

He should fit in nicely with Alshon and add some flare.  Jones is a 4.3 sprinter who should help the Gamecocks fill their need for a fast player in the slot.  He missed the first part of this season with a knee injury but last year Jones had 64 catches for 814 yards and 6 TDs as a junior.

The other reason this is good news beyond obtaining the services of a speedy wideout, well Nick Jones is a close friend of another USC target, RB Marcus Lattimore, and this could end up being a package deal which is a big win for Carolina on the recruiting front.

Prediction from LOHD on Gamecocks Basketball in 2009-2010

I know the season has started and the Gamecocks Men’s Basketball team sits at 4-0 right now with a chance to win the Charleston Classic with a win over Miami (4-0) tonight. But I have wanted to get out my early season prediction/forecast for about a week now but believe it or not…work got in the way. Enough with the excuses and let’s roll this thing out…

The Gamecocks have much to build from after sharing the SEC East Championship last season and going 21-10. Coach Darrin Horn has seven players returning who started multiple games last season; the biggest upside for the Gamecocks is having quality depth this season. Led by first team all-conference guard Devan Downey and solid frontcourt contributor Dominique Archie, the Gamecocks should improve on their NIT appearance from last season. I go on the record that the 2009-2010 squad will make the NCAA dance this year.

Why you may ask…The reasons I see this happening is because of three reasons.

a. depth

b. tougher schedule

c. leadership

Depth –
Along with Devan and Archie, the Gamecocks have strong additions due to a good first year recruiting effort by Coach Horn that landed Lakeem Jackson, Ramon Galloway, Stephen Spinella, and Johndre Jefferson. These additions will blend nicely to Horn’s crew that has solid proven players in Sam Muldrow, Evka Baniulis, Mike Holmes, and Brandis-Raley Ross. The gamecocks only lost 2 players to graduation. So this team has a good balance of energized newcomers and proven players.

What's Returning?
Points : 77.61 percent (5th—SEC Avg: 73.81 percent)
Rebounds : 87.94 percent (3rd—SEC Avg: 75.80 percent)

Schedule –
What some cried about last year seems to have been corrected this season with the schedule being littered with quality opponents for the 2009-10 season. Games with the likes of Clemson, Boston College, Baylor, Western Kentucky and the Charleston Classic will prepare the Gamecocks to enter the SEC Schedule this season.

Then enter the SEC Schedule which will be much tougher in 2010 due to a improved UK, UF and Vandy just to name a few. Not to mention games v SEC West opponents – Auburn (A), LSU (H), Ole Miss (A), Arkansas (A), Mississippi State (H), Alabama (H).

So the strength of schedule rating will be very high this year.

Leadership –
I already noted that the Gamecocks are returning seven players with quality playing time from last season. Guard Devan Downey is the do it all senior for the Gamecocks, who averaged 19.8 points per game and two steals per game last season. He may be a little slow out the gate thus far in 2009 but the bottom line is the Gamecocks are winning and this is due to his (and Archie’s) leadership.

Evidenced through improved toughness, a “will to win” and heck - improved free throws. I say that the improved FTs are due to experience and eldership (knowing what it takes to win). The South Carolina Gamecocks shot a lowly 64 percent from the charity stripe last season. This number totaled to be the worst in the SEC and it is good to see USC improving in this stat as it is crucial to winning games.

Prediction
I predict another 20+ win season and a good showing in the SEC East race.  I see the gamecocks losing no more than 9 or 10 games this season. Not going to say they will win it like last year but they will not roll-over to teams. The SEC East will prove by season’s end to be one of the toughest divisions (just like in football) and the gamecocks will finish between second and fourth.  Archie and Devan will finish with All-SEC honors.  May even see a Muldrow or Holmes on 3rd team.  I would love to see one of the new guys on the SEC freshman team but not sure if they will take enought shots this season. 

One thing is for certain...Unlike last year, the gamecocks will be invited to dance and the season will be looked upon as nice progression upon a promising program with a great young coach, both of which are making traction in the SEC.

thoughts?

Gamecocks Basketball Recruiting Class a Top 10 Class

Just recently, LOHD wrote about the Gamecocks Basketball Recruiting Class that looked at each of the players signing up to be a gamecock baller beginning in 2010-2011.

I failed to mention one of the most amazing things about this class and I feel is not getting enough attention - this 5 member class is ranked #10 in the nation by Scout.com.  Rivals.com has the class at #12.  WOW!

The USC 2010-2011 class is rated the highest class in the SEC by both recruiting sites. I am not sure the last time the gamecocks had a highly ranked class but this is something to get excited about!!! People this is only Coach Horn's second recruiting class and I am sure will prove to be a special class even if you don't buy into "stars" and rankings before they enter collegiate play.  But it is nice to see Carolina up their in the same conversation as Duke, UNC, etc....

Great Job Coach Horn !  And again welcome - Bruce Ellington, Damontre Harris, Brian Richardson, RJ Slawson and Eric Smith.

{PS - look forward also to seeing Malik Cooke play next year.}