Friday, November 27, 2009

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 -
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?

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