Is it too early?

To think Basketball?

Gamecocks routed Guilford 99-63 on Monday night at the Colonial Center and the point total was USC’s most since 2002 in any game, exhibition or regular season. Last year, during a low-scoring, low-winning season, the Gamecocks only hit 90 once, and that was in overtime. The game also marked the debuts for the team’s seven newcomers, and two of them showed whey they were so heralded. I know....it was just an exhibition game and the opponent was a Division III team....but Carolina won. I do like the fact that the smaller lineup produced plenty of steals and up-tempo play, and the shot clock an afterthought....which is not like Odom in the past and God I hope he let's them play this year and the "3 pass before you shoot" plays are not ran as much this year.

Thoughts?

“crappy job”

That is putting it nicely Mr. Nix (his quote in The State newspaper describing the defense play against Ark). I am not ready to start talking like this -here; as I feel (and I guess it is the Carolina fan in me, you know the "wait till next year" talk we have all grown accustomed too) that our best football is ahead of us.

I know we have the "great and mystical" Steve Spurrier and we should win every game according to some but let's keep in mind that half of USC’s 22 starters against Arkansas were underclassmen. Another words we are still in the "re-building" phase of our program, still have some of Holtz players in the mix and it is only his 3rd year. He is trying to change the culutre around USC and I think he is slowly starting too. I do feel that this 3 game losing streak is not helping things and we need a win (not only to assure a bowl trip) to help bring our team back together. You could see some of the finger pointing going on in the Arkansas game between the defense unit/players and the offensive...heck, even Spurrier could be seen yelling at the special teams coach. I really thought that we could win 8 maybe 9 games this year but keep in mind we had the 2nd hardest schedule to start the season and we have lost Jasper on the defense. I guess I should stop making excuses but I do feel the best Carolina football is ahead of us.

Oh and somehow we are still in the hunt for the SEC East according to this -here. Thoughts?

Question of the Day

It is time to be honest today and let's throw out a question that we are all thinking after USC's third straight loss. This ties the second-longest losing streak in Spurrier's coaching career. USC also lost three in a row last year, as did Florida in 1999. Spurrier's longest losing streak was four in his first year at Duke in 1987. Anyway, Here is the burning question of the day:

Which is more likely to happen?

1. USC will win against Florida, but lose to Clemson.
2. USC will win against Clemson, but lose to Florida.
3. USC will win their last two games of the season.
4. USC will lose their last two games of the season.


Let's hear your answer by posting some comments.

come on UGA

Come drink all day and enjoy homecoming, just don't flush the toilet. Did anybody else see this story over the weekend.

Help...we've fallen

With three straight losses, USC fell from the national rankings, although the Gamecocks did get 16 votes in the USA Today coaches' poll and six in The Associated Press' writers poll.

USC was No. 6 in the country - and in the BCS - just three weeks ago.

For the complete BCS standings, click here.
For the complete AP and USA Today polls, click here.

323 yards

Arkansas (6-3, 2-3 SEC) ran all over USC (6-4, 3-4 SEC) and beat them by the score of 48-36.

Arkansas made Carolina look silly with 541 rushing yards and 650 total yards, the most allowed by USC in both categories in the school’s 114 seasons. McFadden’s 323 yards on 35 carries were the most ever by an opposing back against the Gamecocks, surpassing Kentucky tailback Moe Williams’ 299-yard effort in 1995. McFadden ran for an 80-yard touchdown and also passed for a score. McFadden, who was the Heisman runner-up last season, broke the SEC single-game mark held by Vanderbilt’s Frank Mordica, who had 321 yards against Air Force in 1978.

Two quotes from The State Article from our Def Coach:

“Basically, they just whipped us,” Nix said.
“It’s embarrassing. It’s sad that somebody can run the ball the way they did,” Nix said. “I hope both of those guys come out in the draft early.”

Geez.....Going into the game USC knew they had to stop McFadden and the run....well I guess that memo was not given to the team b/c Arkansas ran the ball with ease. So say hello 3 game losing streak and goodbye Top 25.

Keys to a WIN against Ark-Kansas...

This will be a tough game for Carolina but I feel USC can win the game. Yes, Arkansas has 3 losses in SEC play but the Razorbacks' three losses to Alabama, Kentucky and Auburn are by a total of 18 points. Arkansas at home, even if they are a run focused team, is real good for some reason.....Only one SEC school has more home wins than Arkansas since 1998. LSU is 53-13 at home in that span while Arkansas is 51-17.

In order to win the game, USC must perform well with these 5 keys to a USC win vs. Arkansas:

1. USC Run Defense ---Simple game plan for Nix and Co. and that is to stop McFad/Jones (or at least contain). This means the d line has to brush off blocks and tackle. I feel the defense is up to the challenge and know that if SC can stop the run and force them to pass (even with Monk) then a win is within grasps.

2. Create 'big' plays---This means we need the D or someone on offense to create big plays. Interceptions are nice as are picking up fumbles...flip side is air it out and create some running room for the playmakers to take one to the house.

3. Gamecocks must win the "mini" games ---This means that USC must win the field position battle, must win the special teams battle and must win the turnover game. Arkansas has forced 11 turnovers in the last two games, seven in a 58-10 win against Florida International this past Saturday...this can not be allowed to happen! SC must win the turnover game. Also Field position is crucial to this game and to USC having success. We all witnessed the poor showing against Vandy and how their punter did his job and we never got past the 50 it seemed. Succop has to hit his FG tries and punt extremely well against Ark. Also the coverage unit must contain Arkansas's Felix Jones, he leads the SEC and is sixth nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 31.6 yards, with a long of 90 yards and two touchdowns. And we gotta contain Norton, who ranks fourth in the SEC in punt returns, averaging 10.8 yards with a long of 45 yards. Heck maybe Succop could kick a ball in the endzone a time or two on Saturday?

4. Offensive line play---Heath Batchelor,6-foot-7, 304-pounder, will be the sixth player to start at guard for the 23rd-ranked Gamecocks this season and had a good showing last week. We need for the entire unit to perform extremely well against Arkansas. It will be a tough environment but if the o unit can give Blake some time to make passes and allow Boyd/Davis to run the ball them look out victory b/c here comes da cocks.

5. Blake and Boyd ---These two players must have great games. We need a performance much like what we have seen glimpses of throughout the season but most recently in the 2nd half against UT. Time to turn it up a notch boys!

Win and we are still in the hunt for the SEC East....Prediction - USC 27 Ark 17

Quote of the week

The state newspaper reported that Arkansas's head coach Houston Nutt is going to start Casey Dick this week against USC. Dick was knocked out of the game last weekend against Florida international something something university. Here is the quote

"NUTT SAID DICK WAS A LITTLE SORE AFTER THAT POUNDING HE TOOK."

Oh ARK-Kansas...

As usual we here at LOHD like to throw out some thoughts before we unveil the 5 keys to a Carolina win that we provide before every game. So here are some thoughts on the upcoming game versus Arkansas, which will not be a push over because they are not a easy win like playing Vandy is....wait, we lost to Vandy. Geez, heartburn is back. Anyway, the Gamecocks have to rebound because let's be honest we are some how mathematically involved in the hunt for the SEC East and what it boils down to is winning. I know, the 23rd-ranked South Carolina team has lost two straight...both have been heartbreakers but we are Carolina fans right....our history proves we are tough and faithful fans.

What we have is the Gamecocks vs. the Razorbacks on ESPN2 on Saturday at 8pm and both teams are in need of a "win." Arkansas leads the all-time series 9-6. SC has dropped 8 spots in the Top 25 and we need to stop this elevator ride. I will not go too deep in this b/c ESPN has a nice Preview HERE of the upcoming game.

Looking at Arkansas shows that USC has work to do. Arkansas is first in the SEC in tackles for loss, averaging 7.25 a game. The Razorbacks also lead the league in scoring (40.25 points), total offense (450.88 yards) and rushing (287.6 yards). Arkansas is allowing 19.75 points a game, slightly more than USC (17.78).

Despite what Dead Guy says here with his prediction of Arkansas winning (even with his research), I feel the Gamecocks will pull out a victory.

What it comes down to is stopping the run (period). South Carolina is shaky with their run defense at times giving up 169.2 ypg (10th in SEC) and running the ball, as we all know, is what Arkansas does best with 287.6 ypg. As mentioned just the other day on this blog, USC has to stop or at least slow down the run game of Arkansas. Barney and Fred must be stopped.....I mean McFad and Jones lead the SEC in running - 124.1 and 107.9 ypg respectively - and can not be allowed to run with ease. Last year, it was the coming out party for RB Darrin McFadden against USC - he put up 219 yds and 2 TDs. That can not happen again this year, if it does then game over and welcome to a 3 game losing streak.

Thoughts? Prediction of the score? Who do you think will win?