good one

More awards for Carolina

With their 30-22 win over Florida, the South Carolina Gamecocks are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week, as selected by the pollsters of the FWAA's Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll for games of the weekend of Nov. 12. South Carolina, also the national team of the week just two weeks ago, is the first team to win the award twice in one season since Miami in 2002.

Mike Davis and Daccus Turman each ran for a pair of touchdowns as the Gamecocks (7-3) ended a 14-game losing streak to Florida that dated back to 1939. The win was also South Carolina's fifth straight in SEC play, a school record.

"I love the Gators, I always will," said coach Steve Spurrier after the game. "But I am with South Carolina now."

"I'm just proud of the guys, proud of the way they played," he added.

The other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominee for the weekend of Nov. 12:

the Ole ball coach vs. the old team

Florida (7-2) at South Carolina (6-3) 12:30 pm

Why to watch: If only there was some sort of storyline to go with this one. There's pressure, and then there's what Florida head coach Urban Meyer has to face dealing with Florida's favorite son, Steve Spurrier, looking to do the near-impossible and take South Carolina to the number two spot in the SEC East. While Gators fans certainly want to see their team win, the love for the Ball Coach is still so blinding that there'll be a whole bunch of mixed feelings this Saturday. While the Gamecocks can finish behind Georgia in the SEC East standings with a win (tied with Florida, but winning the tie-breaker), the Gators can represent the East in the SEC Championship game with a win and an Auburn victory over Georgia. LSU-Alabama might be the most intense game of the weekend, but this might be more fun to watch.

Why Florida might win: For all the wins and all the recent success, South Carolina's offense hasn't done a whole bunch. It's only generating 310 yards per game and outside of big numbers put on the board against Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Troy, it isn't scoring a lot. Florida's defense has had its occasional problems, especially last week against Jay Cutler and Vanderbilt, it's unbelievable at forcing turnovers taking away 26 so far. The offense has only given it away nine times. In other words, South Carolina will have to create and make its own breaks with its middling offense. While the stats might not look that good on paper ...

Why South Carolina might win: ... the offense is finding a way to get the job done when it has to. The Gamecock pass defense has been fantastic all season long keeping most efficient passers from getting into any sort of a rhythm. Auburn's Brandon Cox threw well against the Gamecocks, and Cutler threw for 339, but they each hit a few rough patches. The real focus will be on offense, where USC has to take advantage of every opportunity and every long drive. Alabama's offense is having major problems, but it scored 31 on the Gators. Vandy put 42 on the board last week. If the Commodores were able to come up with 419 yards of total offense, South Carolina should be able to move the ball a little bit, especially since ...

Who to watch: ... the Gator secondary is going through a few changes after the loss of CB Vernell Brown to a broken leg. Reggie Lewis stepped in and came up with the game-sealing interception in overtime against Vanderbilt, but he struggled all game long under the pressure on the outside. His problems are forcing the coaching staff to move top safety Reggie Nelson from free to a nickel back giving him even more range, while Kyle Jackson will take back his spot at free safety held earlier this year. With the safeties sure to spend more time helping out the corners than worrying about the run, can Mike Davis and the USC running game be effective? He ran for 61 yards against Tennessee and 89 against Arkansas. He doesn't have to go for 100, but a solid 75 yards would help.

What will happen: Florida's defense will rise up and take control of the game early, but the offense won't come through. Meyer might want this one even more than Spurrier, but he won't get it as Josh Brown will hit four field goals including one in the final minute for the win.

CFN Prediction: South Carolina 19 ... Florida 17

good times in Tampa for the panthers

Not only did the Panthers beat the Bucs in Tampa, there cheerleaders got drunk and had sex with each other at a bar. Good times. Check this out!

The Charlotte Observer initially reported that a police report indicated Kristen Owen, 22 and Angela Keathley, 26, were arrested after an incident at Banana Joe's in the city's Channelside district. One cheerleader was charged with battery, the other with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

According to the Observer, the police report claims the two cheerleaders were having sex with each other in a stall at the bar when other patrons got angry they were taking so long in the bathroom. Then one of the cheerleaders and another person started arguing and the cheerleader hit that person in the face, according to the report.

However, according to a report by Charlotte's WCNC-TV, police have since questioned the identity of one of the cheerleaders, saying another woman may have tried to dupe them by using Owen's drivers license. Police said they have opened an investigation into the identity issue, and a Tampa TV report indicated that police now think that the woman who identified herself as Owen is in fact another Panthers cheerleader, Renee Thomas.

WCNC-TV reported that Owen's mother claimed Owen was at a wedding South Carolina at the time of the arrest.

Keathley, whose identity has not been disputed, was escorted out of the bar, and the police report said she was so drunk she could barely stand. Police also described her as rude and belligerent toward them.

The Observer also reported that other Panthers cheerleaders bailed the two out of the Orient Road Jail late Sunday morning.

According to the Observer report, Keathley and the other cheerleader made the trip to Tampa on their own as they are only on the sidelines for home games.

Team officials at Sunday afternoon's game said they were aware of the report, but declined further comment.

Gamecocks go for a bowl game

After one of the greatest victories in South Carolina’s history, the team will travel to the far corner of the southeast; some might not even consider it the southeast. USC will play Arkansas, the home of Bill Clinton, Wal-Mart and Billy-Bob Thornton, on Saturday at 12:30 est. Arkansas will start a freshman QB Casey Dick who has not started a game yet in the fierce SEC. Arkansas has not won a game in the SEC this year and is looking to start a freshman against a defense that is slowly becoming a decent defense. I don’t really agree with Houston Nutt’s decision to take the red-shirt off his prized freshman this late in the season.

Here is the prediction for this weekend from CFN.

Why to watch: When Steve Spurrier took over South Carolina, he tempered talk of winning the SEC title by saying he just wanted to get to a bowl game. After a program-changing win over Tennessee last week, the Gamecocks can become bowl eligible with a win at Arkansas and can be in a position to finish second in the East if they can beat Florida next week. But first off, they have to deal with a desperate Arkansas team on a two game losing streak and is still searching for its first SEC win. Despite all of the problems, a win here might mean the Hogs have a shot at a wining season with winnable games against Ole Miss and Mississippi State ahead before the season finale against LSU.
Why South Carolina might win: After winning in Tennessee, playing at Arkansas won't be that intimidating. The Gamecock offense has exploded on bad SEC teams scoring 44 on Kentucky and 34 against Vanderbilt. The Hog defense gives up a ton of yards with a pass defense that struggles with its consistency. USC's passing game might not be unstoppable, but it's good enough give the Hogs a nasty time.
Why Arkansas might win: South Carolina isn't all that great against the run. The Gamecock run defense got bowled over by Alabama and pounded on by Tennessee, and its in for a long game against the SEC's number one rushing attack that averages 257 yards per game. The Hogs had better run effectively because ...
Who to watch: ... it's starting a freshman quarterback. Casey Dick will lose his redshirt status and try to breathe some life into a dead passing attack. He's a good-sized passer with a nice arm, and he can also run a little bit. South Carolina freshman WR Sidney Rice has turned into one of the league's top receivers catching a touchdown pass in a school-record seven straight games. He has been on fire over the last three games catching 24 passes (8 in each game) for 369 yards and seven touchdowns.
What will happen: Arkansas won't be able to get the job done with a freshman quarterback. The Hog defense will keep it from being ugly, but the Gamecocks aren't going to blow its big chance to become bowl eligible.
CFN Prediction: South Carolina 24 ... Arkansas 20

Oh the SEC is getting crazy

Georgia, Florida and South Carolina are the only teams remaining that are mathematically live for the Eastern Division title.

Georgia must finish one game ahead of Florida to represent the Eastern Division. The Bulldogs can win its remaining games (Auburn, Kentucky) or win one game and have Florida lose one of its remaining games (Vanderbilt, South Carolina).

Florida can represent the Eastern Division finishing in a tie with Georgia or one game ahead of Georgia. Florida can win its remaining games and have Georgia lose one or both of its remaining games.

South Carolina can finish in a tie for the Eastern Division along with Georgia at 5-3 and both Georgia and Florida at 5-3. In these scenarios, Georgia must lose its remaining games, South Carolina must win its remaining games (Arkansas, Florida) and Florida can defeat Vanderbilt for a three-way tie or lose to Vanderbilt to create a two-way tie between Georgia and South Carolina.

If there is a three-way tie at 5-3, the last tie-breaker in the three-way model would be used, which is, "The tied team with the highest ranking in the BCS standings following the last weekend or egular-season games shall be the divisional representative in the SEC Championship Game, unless the second of the tied teams is ranked within five-or-fewer places of the highest ranked tied team. In this case, the head-to-head results of the top two tied teams shall determine the representative in the SEC Championship Game."

If there is a two-way tie at 5-3 between Georgia and South Carolina, Georgia advances to the SEC Championship Game due to its 17-15 win over South Carolina earlier this year.

this is what I am talking about

Our great nations gives a little respect to our Gamecock club.

South Carolina is Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week



DALLAS (FWAA) -- With their 16-15 win at Tennessee, the South Carolina Gamecocks are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week, as selected by the pollsters of the FWAA's Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll for games of the weekend of Oct. 29.

Josh Brown hit a 49-yard field goal with 2:45 to end South Carolina's 12-game losing streak vs. the Vols. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 22-for-36 for 242 yards and Sidney Rice had eight receptions for 112 yards for South Carolina.

"We thought we had a chance to make history if the ball bounced our way, and it did," head coach Steve Spurrier said after the game.

The other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominee for the weekend of Oct. 29:

Rutgers (6-2): The Scarlet Knights clinched their first winning season since 1992 with a 31-21 win over Navy. Their 6-2 start equals the school's best since 1979.
Texas (8-0): Quarterback Vince Young rushed for a career-high 267 yards and two scores and threw two touchdown passes as the Longhorns rallied from a 28-9 deficit to beat Oklahoma State, 47-28.
UCLA (8-0): The Bruins scored 21 points in the final 7:04 and Drew Olson connected with Brandon Breazell on a 23-yard touchdown pass in overtime as the Bruins avoided Stanford's upset bid, 30-27.


Also Sidney Rice, was named SEC freshman of the week for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. As well Josh Brown was named SEC special teams player of the week.

go cocks

This is what I am talking about.

South Carolina is Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week


Pictured: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier (AP Photo)
10/31/2005
DALLAS (FWAA) -- With their 16-15 win at Tennessee, the South Carolina Gamecocks are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week, as selected by the pollsters of the FWAA's Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll for games of the weekend of Oct. 29.

Josh Brown hit a 49-yard field goal with 2:45 to end South Carolina's 12-game losing streak vs. the Vols. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 22-for-36 for 242 yards and Sidney Rice had eight receptions for 112 yards for South Carolina.

"We thought we had a chance to make history if the ball bounced our way, and it did," head coach Steve Spurrier said after the game.

The other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominee for the weekend of Oct. 29:

Rutgers (6-2): The Scarlet Knights clinched their first winning season since 1992 with a 31-21 win over Navy. Their 6-2 start equals the school's best since 1979.
Texas (8-0): Quarterback Vince Young rushed for a career-high 267 yards and two scores and threw two touchdown passes as the Longhorns rallied from a 28-9 deficit to beat Oklahoma State, 47-28.
UCLA (8-0): The Bruins scored 21 points in the final 7:04 and Drew Olson connected with Brandon Breazell on a 23-yard touchdown pass in overtime as the Bruins avoided Stanford's upset bid, 30-27.

Back to his old tricks, on the eve of Halloween in UT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Leave it to Steve Spurrier to point out South Carolina has won more games this season than Phillip Fulmer's Tennessee Volunteers.

The former Florida coach, who beat Tennessee five straight years and made fun of the Vols' frequent trips to the Citrus Bowl, returns to Rocky Top on Saturday for the first time since 2000.
But now Spurrier is wearing garnet and black - and yes, still a visor - and will be trying to lead the Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) to their first win over No. 23 Tennessee since 1992.

Unlike during Spurrier's years with Florida, there is no SEC East title on the line, although Tennessee (3-3, 2-3) was considered the preseason favorite to win the league.

"What is stranger I guess is that before the season began I think they were picked pretty much by most people to win the Eastern division and maybe win the SEC. Here we are going into our eighth game and they're going into their seventh, and we actually have little bit of a better record than they do. Who would have thunk that?" Spurrier said this week.

This is a more subtle jab from a man who once said, "You can't spell Citrus without UT" when Tennessee was relegated to the Orlando bowl after coming in second to Florida in the SEC.

The more reserved Fulmer didn't sling one-liners back and over the years got more accustomed to Spurrier's lip.

"I didn't appreciate it then," Fulmer said. "He has a different way sometimes when he gets a microphone in front of him. That's just him."

Spurrier said maybe his jokes were taken the wrong way, explaining how he and Florida State coach Bobby Bowden poked fun at other's team during the summer.

"He'd tell his little corny jokes, we'd tell ours. Fans laugh, no big deal. But you tell one about Tennessee they think it's insulting or something," Spurrier said. "You'll never hear me complain about somebody telling a little corny joke about our team."

As hard as it may be for fans to imagine, Fulmer and Spurrier are cordial.

"We actually get along I think very well," Spurrier said. "I talk with Phil every time I see him."

There were some sparks between the coaches this summer when both programs were dealing with several player arrests.

After criminal charges were dropped against a player accused of hitting someone, Spurrier said: "If you want to read about some full-blown fights, read about the Tennessee players, not our guys."

Fulmer shot back: "He needs to take care of his own house and leave mine alone." And a few minutes later added that Spurrier's comments didn't bother him.

"Maybe it rained that day and he didn't get to play golf," Fulmer said.

Spurrier is 9-5 all-time against Tennessee with eight of those wins coming as Florida's coach.

But the first win he had over the Vols was as Duke's coach when the Blue Devils pulled off a 31-26 upset in 1988, a fact that should make Gamecocks fans hopeful they can break Fulmer's 12-0 record over South Carolina.

"Steve is a heck of a football coach. What he accomplished at Florida was unbelievable but ... winning the ACC at Duke, that's an unbelievable achievement," Fulmer said.

Spurrier also pointed out he was an assistant at Duke for another win in Knoxville in 1982.

"I was head coach in '88. That was a fun one, too. But we'd already beaten them once there, so we figured we had a chance again," he said.

Florida won in Spurrier's last visit to Neyland Stadium in 2000 on Jabar Gaffney's controversial touchdown reception at the end of the game.

Fulmer led Tennessee to a victory in 2001, Spurrier's final game at The Swamp. The win propelled the Vols to the SEC championship, which they lost and then ended up - where else? - in the Citrus Bowl.

After two woeful seasons with the Washington Redskins, Spurrier left. He was hired as successor to Lou Holtz last November.

And just like that South Carolina vs. Tennessee became intriguing.