Mitchell he is our man....

but the question is for how long? Coach Steve Spurrier said Tuesday that he's going to give fifth-year senior Blake Mitchell "the opportunity" to finish the season as the starting QB.

Will this be a repeat of last year where Blake comes in to save the day after the offensive line figured out how to block? Or is this a last resort for Spurrier since Smelley still is making freshman mistakes and Beecher is not ready for the prime time?

This year, Mitchell lost his job at halftime of USC's 28-16 loss at No. 2 LSU on Sept. 22. He didn't play a snap the next three games before splitting time in USC's stunning 17-6 loss to Vanderbilt two weeks ago. Smelley started in Saturday's 27-24 overtime loss at Tennessee, but Mitchell came on with 9:48 left in the second quarter and USC down 14-0 and went the distance.

In his final 18 quarters last year Mitchell hit 69.4 percent of his passes (102 of 147) for 1,467 yards and twice as many touchdowns (10) as interceptions. Against Tennessee last week, Mitchell helped rally USC for 24 second-half points after coming on for Smelley, who was three for five for 40 yards and an interception. Mitchell completed 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown along with one interception.

So my question is -- How many of you think Blake will keep his job as the starting QB for the rest of the season or do you think Spurrier will pull the rug out from under him as soon as he makes a mistake and go with Smelley or Beecher?

Let's be honest here the USC football team has an opportunity to seize the moment (as they have had all year but decide to screw up each time). THE STATE and our friend at the Garnet & Black Blog laid it out HERE on how to win the SEC East.

USC Football Team should adopt Carpe Diem as their new slogon for the rest of the season!

The hotter the better, even in the winter

Just a reminder that next week will be the 2nd annual Tailgating Chili cook-off. Last year was such a success that we decided to bring it back for a 2nd year. There will be plenty of time to taste all the chili's as the game is not until 7:30 next weekend. So bring some beer and a spoon, and maybe some pepto bismol.

Arkansas’ Monk to Play

As reported in the news today, it seems the preseason All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection Marcus Monk will play against USC this Saturday.

This is the same guy that took advantage of the SC secondary last year to the tune of eight receptions for 192 yards with a touchdown.

The game plan of the USC Defense should be on the Arkansas backfield - McFadden/Jones. Put enough in the box to stop the run (or swing pass) and then let Captain play Monk. If we can play like we did against UT in last week's second half then we should walk away a winner. Granted if we get the ball to bounce our way and stop fumbling / throwing bad passes on offense.

What do you guys think?

Where have you been?

Blake Mitchell....seems he waits until desperation is served at dinner to show up.

He completed 31-of-45 passes for 290 yards - the most by a Gamecocks quarterback this season - and led USC to touchdowns on three consecutive series spanning the third and fourth quarters.

Oh and two other players that played great games...tailback Cory Boyd and receiver Kenny McKinley. Boyd rushed for a career-high 160 yards on 20 carries, while McKinley tied Zola Davis' school record with 14 receptions for a career-high 151 yards.

Let's all hope that this kind of performance shows up every week now. No more bad offensive showings please, 8 quarters is enough for Spurrier and me.

USC fell a game behind Georgia and a half-game back of Tennessee with two conference games remaining. The Gamecocks travel to Arkansas this week before playing host to Florida on Nov. 10. After an open week, USC closes the regular season Nov. 24 against Clemson.

USC Remains Ranked

I feel this is a gift for Univ of South Carolina and weird that we are ranked higher than UT. Not even going to try to figure it out but I guess we are grateful.

The Gamecocks' second loss in as many weeks dropped them eight spots in both national polls. USC slipped to No. 23 in The Associated Press rankings and to No. 25 in the USA Today coaches poll.


Polls HERE.

SC loses to UT

Wide right.

Ryan Succop missed a 40-yard field goal in overtime after his Tennessee counterpart made a 27-yarder moments earlier as Tennessee defeated the 15th-ranked Gamecocks 27-24 before an announced crowd of 105,962.

With the wide right miss in overtime, it leaves the Gamecocks looking up at Tennessee and Georgia in the SEC East standings and needing help to reach the conference championship game for the first time in school history.

Steve sums it up with this quote -"We played just good enough to lose, that's how we played. We made some yards, hit some passes, but in the clutch we didn't hit crap."

Greenville News Article - here

5 Keys to a Win at UT

The Volunteers (4-3, 2-2) VS. No. 15-ranked Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2).

As I get ready to leave for a trip to Knoxville today, I wanted to make sure that I leave behind the 5 keys to a win at UT. I have already prepared myself to hear Rocky Top at least 146 times in a 8 hour span. Going into the game, my first thought is - Carolina can win this but it depends on which team shows up on both sidelines. Meaning if the team that played Vandy comes into UT it is over before the half but if the team that played UK / UGA then it will be a great game with a USC win. The flip-side of this - if the UT team that played UGA shows up, then look out but if the UT team that played to start the season makes a appearance it should be a win for USC.

Enough of that and hopefully it makes some sense to ya, here are the 5 Keys to a Win at UT:

1. USC O line must step up ---Seems that this has been a key all season and it truly is the number one key for USC to leave UT with a 'W.' Whatever the combination USC uses on the line does not really matter, what does matter is whomever plays has to play great. Let's only give up 2 sacks this game and no more. Give the QB time to set his feet to make good throws and create running lanes for Boyd/Davis.

Grade here is a "B," they did real good this game.

2. USC Offense ---The entire Carolina offense is a key this game. Normally, I try to single out a player or position but the entire unit has to perform at a higher level in a tough stadium that seats 100k+. Expect crowd noise but don't let it get to you, use the silent snap count, limit dumb mistakes and no TO's. Davis/Boyd must carry the ball at least 20 times this game or heck try a screen pass or two. USC receiving corps has to catch, whether it is a TE or a WR - CATCH the ball and block down field so the running game can do good things.

Grade Here is a "B" and that is due to the offense not showing up until the 2nd half.

3. USC must win the field position game--- This game for the last few years has been a game of inches and field position with a turnover mixed in there from time to time. USC must capitalize on what is given and put the ball in the endzone when given the opportunity. Vandy it seemed started on our side each time and this can not happen against UT. Special teams must execute and we have to move the ball on offense.

Grade here is a "D" because when the time counted to keep them at bay we sucked.

4. Defense must produce --- This unit is the anchor of our team and we owe many wins this season to the D Unit (not G Unit) but in this match-up with UT we need the Carolina D to get a TO and help the offense. Example of this was the UK game with Norwood doing his duty. We need that kind of performance to get the pressure off Smelley and leave the stadium with a win. USC defensive end Eric Norwood said Tennessee’s success is “going to change” in the Greenville News. “We’re going to get pressure,” said Norwood, who leads USC with five sacks. “(Kentucky quarterback Andre’) Woodson hadn’t been sacked that much. We got (after him). I don’t think their O-line is that much superior to Kentucky’s.” God I hope you do what you say.

Grade here is a "B" due to the fact that yes they forced some fumbles but just could not pick up the ball or run a INT back.

5. Succop must be ready --- It may come down to a kick or a great punt so Ryan has to be ready to show why he is one of the best kickers in the nation. In 2005, he helped to win it not only with his FG but with good punts. So please Ryan just kick the sh*t out of the ball when punting and split the up rights on FG attempts.

Grade here is a "B" b/c well he made the one in regulation but missed when it counted. Also he did real well punting and kicking off but the rest of the special teams did not do so hot in coverage.

Prediction - USC 24 UT 23

Thoughts?

HYMAN FINALLY QUITS PINCHING PENNIES

Well it looks like old Ebeneazer McHyman has finally decided to send our pep band to an away game. It seems after the outrage of not sending the pep band to LSU he decided it would be nice not to have his email and voicemail box full. Of course you know we will pay for this next year when fairground parking goes up to $300 and the fair is in town for 2 game weekends.


[Use this link if you are unable to view the images below]

I wanted to share with you our decision to send the South Carolina pep band to Arkansas next Saturday. It wasn't in the original plan, but we understand that bringing the spirit of the Gamecock Nation on the road is essential for our fans. The band and cheerleaders are an important component of a successful athletics program. We are raising expectations for everyone in the Gamecock Nation, are committed to battling for championships and want to give Coach Spurrier and our team the best opportunity to have success on the field. The Game Is On!
Eric Hyman

USC still slated to go "bowling"

But where? Another hat tip to our friend at The Dead Guy's SEC site, again here are the bowl predictions:

Fox Sports
ESPN
CBS Sportsline

Thoughts? Outback again?