Gamecocks Eric Norwood has a site up

In case you have not heard or visited the site that the USC athletic department set up to promote senior linebacker Eric Norwood – ewood40.com - check it out!

The site includes video on Norwood, quotes from around the country about Norwood as well as news and notes.

Florida Kickoff time set

Looks like the Gamecocks will be hosting the Gators at 3:30 on November 14, 2009.

Hopefully we can right this season with a big win against the #1 team in the country on CBS.

And remember they will be wearing special uniforms....

10 questions for this week

1.) Oregon a top 5 team?

2.) Does Southern Cal deserve to be in the top 15 after its 2^nd lose of the season?

3.) After week 9, who has the best shot at making the National Championship game, Cincinnati, Boise State or TCU?

4.) What should the SEC do to Brandon Spikes for his dirty play in this past weekend’s game against Georgia?

5.) Who is hotter the Classic Erin Andrews or ESPN’s new girl Jenn Brown?

6.) Ugliest shade of Orange?

7.) Favorite Halloween costume from Saturday?

8.) Who is your Heisman favorite after 9 weeks?

9.) If the Big 12 North Champion is 6-6 and loses to Texas in the Big 12 Championship, they will end up being 6-7 and missing a bowl. What can the Big 12 do to make the North a better conference? Follow up from last week, they need all the help they can get.

10.) Better game this weekend PSU vs. Ohio State or LSU vs. Bama?

Mumme Poll Ballot - Week 9

Mumme Poll here.  Again, the Mummepoll requires you to rank the top five teams and then just select, in any order, the next seven. This intent is for a more original polling format.

1. Florida

Solid destruction of Georgia locks up SEC East and spot in SEC Championship BCS Play-in Game.

2. Alabama

Off week to prepare for game with LSU, their last real obstacle to a Championship match-up with Florida.

3. Texas

Finally starting to look like the Top 5 team we thought they could be.

4. LSU

Dismantled Tulane. Meh.

5. Oregon

Dismantled Southern Cal. Impressive.
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Georgia Tech

Game against Vanderbilt stayed close longer than it should have.

Iowa

Game against Indiana stayed close longer than it should have.

TCU

Blew out UNLV. This is what should be done to inferior opponents.

Cincinnati

No compelling reason to put them in the Top 5, but no rational argument to keep them out of the Top 12.

Boise State

Oregon win looks better again this week.

Penn State and Ohio State

Not so sure they belong here, but they are because no one else really has the resume to be here either.

Williams off Gamecocks 2010 commitment list

PER Phil Kornblut -

Due to grades, USC will not sign OL Elliot Williams of Georgia Military JC with the 2010 class.  

If Mr. Williams commits to getting his education at Georgia Military Academy, USC OL Coach will re-visit the idea to sign him in the future.  So it seems Elliot did not hold up his end of the bargin when pledging to be a gamecock and that means doing his part to pass classes so he could enroll at SC.

We here wish him the best and hope he gets everything in order so he can become a lineman at Carolina.

Nuggets sign ex-Gamecock Balkman to extension

It was reported today that the Denver Nuggets have signed backup Renaldo Balkman to a contract extension for a undisclosed amount. 

This is good news after his run in with the law prior to the season start after having his best season as a NBA player in '08-09 - 5pts a game and 3.8 rbs per game.  I know not amazing stats but he is a hustler and a good defender.

Gamecocks Baseball Gets a CF

Per Phil Kornblut -

Tanner's crew got a big boost over the weekend with news that centerfielder Mason Williams of Winter Garden, FL chose to play his college ball at Carolina.

Many regard this kid as the one of the best outfielders in high school so I am sure he will have impact on the gamecocks line-up.  He is a good left-handed batter and also pitches pretty good from the right-side.

Something tells me that Tanner is very pleased to land Mason.

Gamecock Clippings / News

Here is a sampling of selected news from gamecock world......

USC Football

• UT Players asked for Black Jerseys
• Gamecocks fumble away hopes of topping Tennessee
• Knocked out in Knoxville: Tennessee beats No. 21 USC
• USC stumbles on Rocky Top

USC football recruiting

• Check out all of the South Carolina football prospects, as well as obtain the latest developments, complete biographies and exclusive player data by clicking HERE
• Help me understand this....Wisconsin wants him but USC and Clemson are showing no interest? - Irmo QB drawing Big 10 attention
• Lattimore settles on third official visit
• Mack Shrine Bowl omission shocking

USC Basketball

• High expectations for Horn, experienced Gamecocks
• Coach says Gill quality player for USC

S. Carolina Falls from Top 25 / Back to work

This should not come as a surprise to anyone as this is what happens when you turnover the ball 4 times in route to a ugly loss by the score of 31-13 to a team that was 3-4 entering the game.  Carolina had no business losing to UT this way as it should have been a closer game and worth watching. 

Now, my gamecocks have some work to do and have to look in the mirror Monday morning.  The gamecocks enter what I feel is the most important week of practice all year as identity, goals, pride and a season is on the line.

I know this team is better than what they showed on Halloween and now it is time to swallow the loss.  Take it and learn from it as practice is Monday.  Game is Saturday.  Get to work, make the gamecock fans proud and Go Cocks!

USC out of AP Top 25; Texas back to No. 2