Monday Game Week Links

Happy Monday.

A few things going on this week:

Rick Perry will be in Columbia fundraising for SC Republicans in various different places. He'll be at First Citizen's Cafe on Main Street on Wednesday to raise money for the SC GOP in general, and on Thursday, he'll be at Doc's BBQ for Kirkman Finlay.

In case you want to attend any outdoor events, it looks like the tropical storm is going to miss South Carolina. So the weather should be nice all week.

Oh, and there's a football game that will be played on Thursday.

2014 Gamecock Football Prediction

Ok, campers. We are at T-minus six days and counting to the kickoff of the South Carolina Gamecocks 2014 season. As I've done in years past, I'm going to give you a game-by-game prediction for the entire season before it starts.

However, before I get into this year, I'm going to recap my previous predictions, just so you can see how they shook out. All numbers exclude the bowl game. I'm just talking about the regular season.

2011: My prediction was 11-1 . Actual result was 10-2.

2012: My prediction 10-2. Actual result was 10-2.

2013: My prediction was 11-1. Actual result was 10-2.

So, with the exception of 2012, I have a track record of being one game too many too optimistic. I guess that's probably true, as I freely admit my bias towards the Gamecocks. Anyway, here's my 2014 season prediction, for whatever it's worth.

8/28 Texas A&M vs. South Carolina

This game will be the kickoff of the entire college football season. It's a Thursday night game, so the entire college football world will have it's eyes on this game. TAMU will come in ranked at #21, and the Gamecocks will come in ranked #9. This will be a great test right out of the gate for both teams. It's a conference game, so there isn't any tune-up game in week one to work out the kinks. Both teams need to hit the ground running to be successful.

We know that TAMU will have a good offense. Coach Sumlin likes to throw the ball around a lot, so we'll really see how good our secondary is (or isn't) in the first game. Having said that, I think this is going to be a game that has become somewhat of a normal recipie for a Gamecock victory under Spurrier. When confronted with an opponent who likes to throw the ball most of the time and use tempo, look for the South Carolina offense to really grind the clock with a heavy dose of running the ball. I think South Carolina will win the time of possession battle, keep the TAMU offense off the field, and wear down the TAMU defense. The rushing attack will be interspersed with Dylan Thompson throwing some deep balls to keep the Aggie defense honest, but in the end, I see this being a solid win for South Carolina. A&M will be starting a new QB, so look for our defense to try and force some mistakes.

South Carolina 1-0

9/6 East Carolina vs. South Carolina

Once again, the Gamecocks will face a team that likes to thrown the ball a lot, however there will be less talent on the ECU compared to TAMU. I think the Gamecocks will play fairly conservatively, keeping the ball on the ground and controlling the tempo of the game.

South Carolina 2-0

9/13 Georgia vs. South Carolina

This game. It's always big. Barring some crazy injuries to one of the teams, this game will be a dead heat in Vegas. Big implications here. Both teams will probably come in undefeated, which makes it a top ten match-up. ESPN College Gameday will probably be here for this game.

Both teams will try to run the ball, and Georgia will certainly have success doing so with their big horse in the backfield. This is already set for the 3:30 CBS game, so it's going to be a day game. I'd prefer a night game, but the atmosphere will be electric anyway. I think this one is going to come down to a turnover or two, because these teams are so evenly matched. You could really pick this one either way, but since the game is being played in Columbia, I'm going to take the home team in  a very close game.

South Carolina 3-0

9/20 South Carolina at Vanderbilt

This will be the first road game of the season for South Carolina, and this I'll actually be making this trip. I've been meaning to cross Vanderbilt off my list of SEC stadiums to visit, so I'll be doing that for this game. (Only Knoxville and Missouri will remain on my list in the SEC East.) Vanderbilt is plucky, has gotten better over the years, but so has South Carolina. I think South Carolina will go into their first road game with some confidence having edged past Georgia (or alternatively, fired up having lost to Georgia). Either way, I think South Carolina wins by two scores in Nashville.

South Carolina 4-0

9/27 Missouri vs. South Carolina

Revenge will be on the minds of the Missouri Tigers, since South Carolina absolutely broke their heart last year in a 2OT game, that culminated in a missed Missouri field goal. I don't know how good Mizzou will be this year. No one really predicted them to be good last year, but they were. I think that maybe Mizzou will come down to earth a little, and I think that the South Carolina defense will get the best of Matty Mauk. I predict two INTs for the Gamecock defense to set up short fields for the offense.

South Carolina 5-0

10/4 South Carolina at Kentucky

The second road game takes the Gamecocks to Lexington, Kentucky to take on the Wildcats. This ain't basketball, so South Carolina wins easily.

South Carolina 6-0

10/18 Furman vs. South Carolina

Spurrier won't let the team lose focus against Furman. He's undefeated in his career against FCS teams for a reason - he treats every game the same. Furman won't be any different. Look for USC to get an early lead, and then take out all the starters in an effort to avoid any injuries. Big game next week on The Plains.

South Carolina 7-0

10/25 South Carolina at Auburn

This will be the toughest game of the year so far. I would rank Auburn on par (or slightly better than Georgia) and when you throw in the fact that it will be on The Plains, this game has trouble written all over it. South Carolina has never beaten Auburn since joining the SEC, and I don't think this will be the game that snaps that streak. I think the Auburn rushing attack will be relentless, and ultimately, too much for the Gamecocks to handle. Unless Auburn makes some big mistakes they win this one.

South Carolina 7-1

11/1 Tennessee vs. South Carolina

This will be a revenge game for South Carolina. Had the Gameocks not lost to Tennessee last year, they would have gone to Atlanta. However, the clunker of a game in Knoxille last year had the Gamecocks watching the SEC championship game like the rest of us - on TV. Now, I look for the Gamecocks to pounce on Tennessee and extract vengeance.

South Carolina 8-1

11/15 South Carolina at Florida

I think Georgia will still only have one loss at this point (to South Carolina), so this will be the chance for the Gamecocks to punch their ticket to Atlanta with a win. We did exactly that in 2010 behind Lattimore and Garcia. I don't know what this Florida team is really going to look like, but I know the Florida defense is going to be nasty. This could be a low-scoring slugfest, which suits Muschamp just fine. While I'd really like to pick this as a win, my head says that Florida will hold serve at home behind the Gator faithful. I think South Carolina will make a few crucial mistakes and lose by one score.

South Carolina 8-2

11/22 South Alabama vs. South Carolina

The Gamecocks come home for a game against an FBS opponent this week. Coming off a loss to Florida and looking ahead to Clemson, they'll need it. A workmanlike win that should see lots of time for the backups.

South Carolina 9-2

11/29 South Carolina vs. Clemson

Look y'all. Clemson had the best chance to beat us (for a long while) last year and the year before that. Two years ago, Carolina started Thomson as a backup (without Lattimore), and beat Clemson up in Death Valley. Last year, Clemson had a great team, but still couldn't win. This year, Dylan Thompson returns to Death Valley to see if he can be one of the few Gamecock QBs to win two games in Death Valley.

He will. The streak will continue. Six in a row.

South Carolina 10-2

Post-Season/Final Thoughts

I'm not sure if 6-2 will be enough to win the East. I could see Georgia losing only one game. Heck, I could see Florida losing only one conference game. All I can tell you is that which ever team wins seven games will take the division title. I think seven is the magic number. If South Carolina finds a way to slip past Auburn or Florida on the road, then I think we'll get to Atlanta. I just don't think we can lose both of those games and make it to the Georgia Dome at the end of the year. That will be somewhat disappointing, but 10-2 with a sixth straight win over Clemson is enough to keep this Gamecock fan very happy.

NCAA Reverses Long-Standing Prohibition on Cookie Cake Icing

Over the weekend the University of South Carolina self-reported 22 violations of NCAA rules. One of the violations were impermissible iced decorations on a cookie cakes that were given to recruits.

See, it's OK to give recruits cookie cakes, but if you put some icing on that cookie cake, then it becomes a violation of NCAA rules. Obviously, that rule makes total sense. We can't have cookie cakes and icing, because that would just devolve into chaos.

However, in a stunning reversal of it's long-standing prohibition on iced cookie-cakes, the NCAA has informed South Carolina that icing on cookie cakes will "no longer be a violation".

You can all sleep easy.

South Carolina Supreme Court Rules Against Gamecock Club (I Join in the Dissent)

I didn't get a chance to post on this when it came out, but this opinion from the South Carolina Supreme Court is definitely worth exploring.

On April 2, 2014, by a 4-1 vote, the South Carolina Supreme Court held that the University of South Carolina could not charge an additional seat fee as a prerequisite for purchasing tickets to Charles Lee, who had become a "Lifetime Full Scholarship" level member of the Gamecock Club. 

The language in the contract is that Mr. Lee had "the opportunity to purchase tickets" from the Gamecock Club. Mr. Lee took the position that the Gamecock Club could not subsequently require him to pay additional seat licencing fees, and the South Carolina Supreme Court agreed with him.

Writing for the majority, Justice Kittredge stated:

Were we to accept the University's view of the Agreement, it would mean Lee received little or nothing in the bargain, for the University would always have the ability to demand additional consideration for the opportunity to purchase tickets.

This seems incorrect to me, and the problem is because the operative word is "opportunity". The seat tax was not additional consideration. The seat tax is simply a new condition precedent to have the the opportunity to buy tickets.

Respectfully, I have to side with Justice Pleicones' dissent in this case. Writing a lone dissent, Justice Pleicones stated:

Looking to the plain language, it provides that Lee would be a "Lifetime Full Scholarship Member" with "the opportunity to purchase tickets." Lee has received exactly what he bargained for...I am unable to find any language prohibiting additional fees. Further, the majority acknowledges that a court must enforce an unambiguous contract regardless of its wisdom, folly, apparent  unreasonableness, or the parties' failure to guard their rights carefully.

I have to agree.

The language of the contract said that Mr. Lee would have "the opportunity to buy tickets", and requiring the payment of an additional seat tax does has not deprived Mr. Lee of that opportunity. If he wanted to lock in a certain price, or exempt himself from any future fees, he should have done so.

Spurrier is OG

Allow me to sum up the awesomeness of the Capital One Bowl for you in one GIF (via @BuzzFeedSports):

1. Connor Shaw takes the snap from the shotgun
2. Shaw hands off to Pharaoh Cooper on what looks like a sweep left
3. Cooper laterals it back to Bruce Ellington
4. Ellington then throws it back across the entire field to Connor Shaw, who has slipped into the endzone unnoticed until it's too late.
5. Touchdown

Spurrier is original gangsta.

Capital One Bowl Pre-Game Thread

Happy New Year! I stayed in last night, but apparently I was the only person who decided to do that. It sounded like there was a Revolutionary War battle going on last night from around 10:00PM until about 12:30AM.

Anyway, it's one of the best days of the year. Today is the day when college football gives us an overflowing buffet of football games to watch as we enjoy the beginning of a new year.

Enjoy the day, y'all. If you need to get pumped up, here's the scene setter.

To begin the New Year I'll be smoking some wings, enjoying frosty refreshment (required when using the smoker) and basking the glory of college football.

Go Gamecocks!

Kenny Miles Shot Himself Then Lied About It

I don't get this. So Kenny Miles shot himself, and then lied about it, saying that he had been robbed? Does that make sense to anyone?

I get that shooting yourself by accident is embarrassing. I've never shot myself, but if I did, I would be really embarrassed, because that means I was doing something stupid and/or unsafe. Hopefully, that never happens.

However, if I hypothetically do shoot myself, I'm not going to make a false police report and say that someone else shot me in a robbery. That's taking an embarrassing situation and turning it into a criminal act. I just don't understand the thought process here. What in the world would he have done if the police had arrested someone based on his report?

I just don't get it. On the subject of shooting yourself, it can definitely happen. It happened to this guy:

Don't be that guy. Or Kenny Miles.

Final Approach

The college football season is here. Our captain has turned on the seat-belt sign as we are on final approach to actual, meaningful football. A flight attendant will be making her way down the aisle to collect any baseball-related trash you may have accumulated during the summer.

Please remember to stow your tray tables, place your seat-backs in the upright and locked position, and discontinue the use of all electronic devices. We will be on the ground shortly. Thank you for flying off-season airlines.

The season is here!

Exited!

 

2013 Gamecock Football Game-by-Game Prediction

Ok, folks. It's that time of year again. Last year, I accurately predicted a 10-2 regular season, with the only problem being I picked the Gamecocks to beat Florida and lose to Arkansas, and the opposite happened, so they kind of washed each other out.

We're now seven days away from kicking off the season.

Anyway, on to the present. Here is the official Permanent Press™ prediction for the 2013 Gamecock Football season. I hope we can work in the tight ends this year the way we successfully did at moments last year. Everyone is telling me that this is going to be the year that the O-line puts it together. I'm skeptical, but I'd sure love for them to be right. Clowney will get double teamed most of the year, but he'll have his moments. I almost hate how much publicity he's received. There's almost no way he can live up to it unless he hurls fireballs from his eyes every play. He'll end up in New York, but I doubt he'll win the Heisman. Carolina will have some young linebackers, but they'll be ok. Here's the detailed game-by-game prediction:

2013 Game by Game Prediction

8/29 North Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks start their 2013 campaign next Thursday against the North Carolina Tarheels. North Carolina has a really nice campus, they have a good coach, but they ain't SEC. This game will probably be close in the first half with UNC running the up-tempo offense, but the Gamecocks size and strength will wear down the Tarheel front seven in the second half. Look for lots of yards from Mike Davis and company.

1-0 (0-0 SEC)

9/7 @Georgia

You know this game is important. I don't have to tell you that. Georgia is not happy about losing to the Gamecocks the last three year. They're going to be mad. They don't like Spurrier, and they look at South Carolina as the little brother who needs to know his place. Sorry, Dawgfans. Carolina wins again in a hard-fought game. I think Shaw's legs are the difference in this game, as he'll scramble out of trouble and put a dagger in the heart late. Clowney and the rest of the D-Line will keep Murray under pressure all night, so it will be up to the Dawg running game to keep the chains moving. They'll do it some, but it won't be enough

2-0 (1-0 SEC)

9/14 Vanderbilt

James Franklin is a great coach. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have a great football team. Vandy will be breaking in a new quarterback who will be introduced to a nasty D-line. I think this game is going to be a stomping. Carolina goes up early and doesn't look back.

3-0 (2-0 SEC)

9/28 @Central Florida

Not really thrilled with having to go on the road to Central Florida. This is the kind of game that worries me. UCF is now in the AAC, whatever the heck that is. The only thing that gives me confidence is that Spurrier doesn't lose these types of games. I think Central Florida will play the Gamecocks pretty tight, and they might even have the lead early. In the end, the Gamecocks sneak out with a win. I think this is one of those "gut-check" win-ugly kind of games.

4-0 (2-0 SEC)

10/5 Kentucky

The offense will be happy to be back within the confines of Williams-Brice after the trip to Orlando. Kentucky will be the perfect team to beat up on before the big three game road trip that looms large. The offense and the defense will both put up big numbers in this game and give everyone a boost of confidence going into the road trip. We'll need it.

5-0 (3-0 SEC)

10/12 @Arkansas

Dammit. I hate going to Arkansas. I mean, I'm not actually going, but I hate it when the Gamecocks have to go to Arkansas. We never play well there. I don't know if it's the travel or what, but Arkansas just always seems to have our number. I know Arkansas has a new coach that likes to play the Big 10 style of football, but I'm not entirely convinced that the Gamecocks win this game. I'm going to go ahead and call this a stumble on the road in the SEC. I'm so glad they won't be our permanent Western opponent anymore after this year.

5-1 (3-1 SEC)

10/19 @Tennessee

This game scares me, but it doesn't scare me as much as Arkansas. South Carolina doesn't have a great track record in Knoxville, but the Volunteers aren't what they used to be. They'll match up good on the offensive line, and this could be a low-scoring game. I'll take South Carolina by a field goal at the end, but I would not be shocked by a loss here. Disappointed, but not shocked. Any win on the road in the SEC is an achievement. This will the the one road game I attend this year.

6-1 (4-1 SEC)

10/26 @Missouri

We saw the fast paced offense of UNC in the first game, and this is the same type of offense. They're going to try and run the up-tempo style. I'm not too worried about this game, as Mizzou isn't going to have the same quality defense as the Gamecocks. I think the WR corps has a great day in the other Columbia, as Carolina puts up some big numbers on offense and wins by two touchdowns, and I think it's set up by more than two interceptions from the Gamecock defense to put our offense in short yardage situations.

7-1 (5-1 SEC)

11/02 Mississippi State
South Carolina gets to host CLANGA this year, so at least we don't have to go to Starkville and listen to CLANGA. This is a nice draw from the SEC West, as we're dodging Alabama and TAMU. Dan Mullen is a great coach for CLANGA, but he's not going to bring his boys to Williams-Brice and win.

8-1 (6-1 SEC)

11/16 Florida
Last year's game against Florida was awful. We held Florida to under 200 yards, but still lost because we were entirely inept on offense to the point where we just handed the ball to the Gators on the 1 yard line a few times. It was awful. The team will remember this game, and they will be motivated to play better. This will probably be the career defining game for Connor Shaw. If he can beat Florida (and my predictions are right so far) this will seal up the SEC East for South Carolina, and punch our ticket to Atlanta. I think he gets it done in a hard-hitting, slugfest of a low-scoring game. I'm thinking the Gamecocks win in a score of something like 17-14.

9-1 (7-1 SEC) Atlanta Ticket is punched.

11/23 Coastal Carolina
Kind of a week off game. With the ticket already punched for Atlanta and Clemson looming, the starters get pulled early, and the new kids get lots of playing time. My guess is that Carolina will win, but we won't cover the spread with all of our starters sitting on the sideline the entire second half. It's not a bye week, but it's about as close as it gets.

10-1 (7-1 SEC)

11/30 Clemson
Five in a row. That is all.

11-1 (7-1 SEC)

My guess is that we go to Atlanta, face Alabama and lose. I'm not sure where that will put the Gamecocks for a bowl game, but it will be a good season. Not a great season - that would require an SEC title - but it's a good season. Clowney falls a little short of his goal of delivering an SEC title, but winning the SEC isn't easy. It's the de facto national championship until some other conference steps up.

Thoughts? Disagreements? Am I too optimistic? I hope not.

Not Ashamed of Being Religious

Gamecock QB Dylan Thompson isn't afraid to share his faith. I strongly believe that Spurrier has recruited a great group of football players over the last few years. Not just on the field - but outside the lines. Ever since a certain QB left, South Carolina has been blessed to have great players on the field who are genuinely good guys.

Here's Dylan Thompson, if you don't know who he is:

Dylan Thompson - Doing what he does best.

I'm sure Marcus Lattimore's influence is a major factor, as he is probably the foundation of the locker room ethos that exists right now. Although he's in the NFL, his work ethic and attitude are still present with this team. I can't remember a previous summer when there were zero off-field problems for the Gamecocks. We haven't had anyone in trouble, and it's due to having solid guys of character on the team.

In related news, Kate Upton is also not afraid of telling people she's religious.

Here's Kate Upton, if you don't know who she is:

Kate Upton - Doing what she does best.

5 Questions For South Carolina As Fall Practice Begins

South Carolina is #7 in the pre-season poll, and here are five good questions facing the team.

Spurrier Wants SEC Title

Well, yeah. Obviously.

It's still way too early to start breaking down matchups and games, but we're closing in on that territory. A blind goat could tell you that winning the UGA game is important.

In any event, if you've been looking for something to scratch that college football itch, the link has plenty of Clowney highlights - including a certain fan favorite.

Sometimes life just isn't fair.

2013 Outback Bowl - Clowney's Hit

I've seen less violent car wrecks.

It's like South Carolina found a grizzly bear and somehow managed to get football pads on him. Oh, in related news, South Carolina won the game.

Steve Spurrier Fires Back at Ron Morris

Every Thursday night during football season, Steve Spurrier has a radio-call in show that gives him a forum to talk about the week’s upcoming football game, talk about how the football team is doing, and generally answer questions from fans. It’s not usually very newsworthy, as the usual comments about how the football team is doing aren’t exactly “news”.

Spurrier changed that last night.

During the show, Coach Spurrier went off on a little soliloquy about winners and losers. He specifically mentioned that there was a certain journalist in Columbia that was a “loser” and an “enemy”. Coach Spurrier never mentioned the journalist by name, but everyone knows that he was referring to Ron Morris of The State newspaper. At one point, Coach Spurrier quoted Attila the Hun. Here's what Coach Spurrier said that I want to get into:

"If Mike McGee (former USC athletics director), when he hired me, he would have said 'Steve, we're gonna give you a chance to run the football program at South Carolina, you hire your coaches, do your thing, but there's one thing you gotta put up with, the local media will try to trash you, they'll try to ruin your reputation, they'll try to portray you as a mean, evil, self-serving person.' And, I would have said, 'well you give that job to somebody else, I'll wait for the North Carolina job to open.' which was opening the next year. But, I'm glad it worked out."

"That is not part of being the head coach at any university, is to be the target of the newspaper to give a guy who obviously has an ax to grind. I'm not that mad at the guy. The guy is who he is, we all know who he is."

"But we need to make some changes and I really believe between President Pastides and the guy that runs the newspaper, that some good changes are coming forth and I encourage the people that canceled their subscriptions last year, when some of this crap started last year, to give the newspaper and our university a chance. I believe that our city is going to be better off."

Mr. Morris and Coach Spurrier have been in a feud of sorts ever since Mr. Morris wrote a column stating that Coach Spurrier “poached” Bruce Ellington from the basketball team and convinced him to play football. Coach Spurrier took exception to that characterization, and feels that he has been accused of dishonest conduct. Given the connotation of the word "poaching", I can't say that I blame him.

I thought the feud had reached the high point last season when Coach Spurrier actually refused to continue with a press conference while Mr. Morris was still in the room. Last night may have marked the beginning of the end of the feud. I'm all for having a strong, vibrant newspaper - but that's not what we have right now.

I don’t know what this all means exactly, but it sounds like the University is backing up Coach Spurrier on this issue. I know that Mr. Morris is in the business of writing controversial columns that generate page-views and circulation, but there’s a difference between writing an opinion and misstating facts that impugn someone’s character. Also, simply trolling the football program to get internet traffic isn’t exactly a great business model, and it should be beneath the dignity of our newspaper. It’s bush-league.

It’s fine for the newspaper to criticize the coach when he deserves it, give him praise when he deserves it, and offer insight into the sports program. I would welcome that. But that’s not what we have. Our local newspaper seems to perpetually criticize the football program, and doesn’t offer any great insight.

Heck, I don’t even go to The State for sports coverage anymore. It’s just not that good. In any event, there should be some sort of shake-up with either how USC Football is covered by The State. Maybe the end result could be some good journalism.

2012 Gamecock Football Prediction

This prediction took me a little longer than I thought. After much analysis, crunching numbers, reviewing opposing teams, and throwing some bones into a pot filled with Alligator blood, and smoking some peyote, I have seen a vision. Behold: Gamecock Football 2012, Permanent Press Prediction.

Gamecock Football 2012 Prediction

August 30: @Vanderbilt

The season starts on Thursday night, under the lights in Nashville. The Vanderbilt Commodores have been looking towards this first game during the entire off-season as their “coming out” party to show that they aren’t going to be the doormat of the SEC anymore. The South Carolina Gamecocks have high hopes for 2012, and it all starts with this conference game.

On the Gamecock offense, I see Lattimore getting the ball early to take the early pressure off of Shaw. If #21 and the offensive line starts to get into a rhythm early, this game is going to be over before it starts. If the Commodore defense starts to stack the box, then it will be time for Shaw to show why he’s the leader of this team. If USC is up late, guess what? More running plays.

On the Gamecock defense, they need to pick up where it left off last season. Everyone knows about the great DEs that the Gamecocks have, so my guess is that the Commodores are going to try and neutralize that with quick screens, draws, and slants. Hard running between the tackles will also be expected from Zac Stacy, who had a great year last year (1,193 yards and 14 TDs). If the Gamecock defense can keep Stacy from grinding out yards and make Jordan Rodgers try to beat them through the air, the less than stellar Commodore O-line will not be able to hold.

Ultimately, I think this game is a win. One thing that Spurrier is good at is winning the games that he is “supposed to win”. The Gamecocks have more talent than Vanderbilt and going to be the favorite going into this game. Apparently, the Commodores are going to “Blackout” this game, in an attempt to get the crowd to become a factor in the game. I predict that #21 scores the opening touchdown and the crowd doesn’t get a chance to get into the game.

South Carolina 1-0 (1-0, SEC)

September 8: East Carolina

The Gamecock’s home opener for 2012 comes against the East Carolina Pirates, who put up more than thirty points last year in Charlotte against a very good Gamecock defense. This year, the pirates have to come to WB and face a fired up crowd. I don't think they're going to get as many points as they did last year.

South Carolina 2-0 (1-0, SEC)

September 15: UAB

South Carolina’s first night game of 2012 (the new video-board is going to look AWESOME at night) will be against the UAB Blazers. This should be a final tune up before the SEC schedule starts, so look for the coaching staff to work out all the kinks. If Carolina gets a lead early, this would be a great game for the backups to get some reps while protecting the starters.

South Carolina 3-0 (1-0, SEC)

September 22: Missouri

The first conference game played in Williams-Brice in 2012 will be against the Missouri Tigers. Time to see what our new conference foes in "the other Columbia" will be able to bring. The Mizzou offense likes to go up and down the field, so this should be a great test for our defense. If the Gamecocks can keep Mizzou in check, we will know our defense is ready and loaded for bear. Mizzou will be coming of a two game stretch of UGA and Arizona State, so this may be a nice time to pounce on them. Look for QB James Franklin to be the center of attention - he's getting hype already. Hopefully, Clowney and Co. will make this a long day for him. Mizzou seems to have the playmakers, but I question their skill and size in the trenches. Look for Lattimore to have a big day, and TE Adams makes a solid contribution with a TD of his own.

South Carolina 4-0 (2-0, SEC)

September 29: @Kentucky

After a three game home-stand the Gamecocks head to Lexington, KY to take on the Wildcats. We whoop some Wildcats and come home. Every road win is a good win in the SEC, so I don't care if it's pretty or not. Get in, get a win, get home, no injuries. Get ready for Georgia next week.

South Carolina 5-0 (3-0, SEC)

October 6: Georgia

The month of October holds four games that will define the season for the Gamecocks. This date is circled on the calendar for both teams. You know the Bulldogs want to avenge the two game losing streak they have, they want to show that they are still the big brother program, and Spurrier probably wants to beat Georgia more than any other SEC team. This game is going to be a slug-fest of two heavyweights who know that everything is on the line. Can the defense get to Murray, will our O-line be able to open up some running lanes and give Shaw time to find the open man? I think this game will return to the old-fashioned, low scoring affair from several years ago. Turnovers will be the story of this game, but a field goal could likely be the difference.

South Carolina 6-0 (4-0, SEC)

October 13: @LSU

I'll be at this game in-person, as this will be my one road trip of the year. LSU will be without the Honey-Badger, but that's fine. They have a bevy of highly talented guys just waiting to step in and replace him. This isn't going to be a pretty game. I have to give the advantage to the home team here, and LSU knows how to win.

South Carolina 6-1 (4-1, SEC)

October 20: @Florida

Coming off the first loss of the season, the Gamecocks head to Gainesville to take on a Florida Gator team that has a lot of questions. We'll know more about the Gators than we do right now, but this isn't going to be a Florida team that runs up points. I think the first team to 28 wins this game. The Gamecocks will need to play disciplined and grind the clock out to get another win in the Swamp. Lean on Lattimore time at the end, but freshman WR Shaq Roland will contribute in this game early.

South Carolina 7-1 (5-1, SEC)

October 27 Tennessee

I like Derek Dooley as much as I can possibly like a UT head coach. He actually seems like a classy guy, which is more than I can same for the asshat that he replaced. Unfortunately, Tennessee is going to fire Dooley after the Gamecocks hammer the Volunteers. Ellington has a big day. Think kickoff-return for a TD-type big.

South Carolina 8-1 (6-1, SEC)

November 10: Arkansas

The Hogs. They've had our number for years. I just can't sit here at my keyboard and type words that predict us to win this game. I try, but the words just come out alksd adifojee rejadsoiew jeejielkdx. See? I tried. Arkansas continues to roll over us despite their lack of Petrino.

South Carolina 8-2 (6-2, SEC)

Will 6-2 be good enough to win the SEC East? I really don't know. This could be a repeat of last year where the Gamecocks sweep the East, lose two games to Western division foes, and the Georgia Bulldogs go to Atlanta. That could happen. Again.

November 17: Wofford

Yeah, Wofford. Am I looking ahead to the next game? Yep.

South Carolina 9-2 (6-2, SEC)

November 24 @Clemson

State Championship Game. The three-time defending Champion South Carolina Gamecocks travel up to Clemson to try and make it four in a row. Just think about that for a moment. Trying to make it four in a row. Clemson is going to fight like hell, the crowd will be fired up, and this will be a tough game. In the end, Carolina breaks their Tiger hearts for the fourth time in a row. Mass suicides may take place at the Esso Club after the final whistle. What makes this even sweeter is that Spurrier gets to become the winningest coach at South Carolina but sticking the knife into Clemson.

South Carolina 10-2 (6-2, SEC)

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There you have it. A ten win season, four in a row over Clemson, sweeping the SEC East (again) and Spurrier becomes the all time winningest Gamecock Football coach. Sounds like a hell of a season. Who's with me?

USC's Last Open Scrimmage [PHOTOS]

On Wednesday, the South Carolina Gamecocks held their final "open to the public" scrimmage at Williams-Brice Stadium. Here are a few photos. UPDATE: Videos at end.

Gamecock Football Scrimmage Report

Via the Post and Courier:

At one end of the stadium, a new video board towered over the bleachers, as workers applied the finishing touches to a screen that will replay the Gamecocks’ most memorable moments this season. On the field below, two highly regarded true freshmen showed why they could contribute to those moments, and to an offense in need of more receiving threats.

Read the whole thing. Damn, I'm getting fired up for some actual football.

If the Gamecocks start getting the ball to the TE downfield, this offense is really going to be clicking. An opposing defense can cover Lattimore at RB, Sanders and Byrd at WR, TEs going down the seam, and Shaw scrambling...but they can't cover them all at the same time.

49 Yards of Beauty (Shaw to Ellington)

For no particular reason other than: just because it's beautiful. It was almost a dropped pass, but not quite. In any event, I would like to see this play a few more times in 2012. If the offensive line can give our receivers time to get downfield...we will.

Gamecock Football 2012: First Impressions

Last summer, I accurately predicted that the South Carolina Gamecocks would go 11-1.  Specifically, I predicted that the Gamecocks would lose to Mississippi State and beat Auburn, so that washed out. Other than that, I ran the table with my picks.(Suck it, Phil Steele) This year, probably towards the latter part of August, I’m going to give my overall season prediction for 2012.

This year, in addition to my general preview, I’ve decided to up the stakes and give a Friday prediction against the spread for each Carolina game (and maybe a few others), just for fun. However, I don’t recommend that you use my college football picks for anything other than fun.

For now, I’m going to look at the 2012 schedule for the Gamecocks and let that marinate a little. My first impression is that the month of October is pretty much going to decide the team’s fate.

10/6    Georgia

10/13  @LSU

10/20  @Florida

10/27  Tennessee

Wow. That’s a brutal stretch. The boys will have to battle.

Also, my (probably only) road trip game this year will be a trip down to Baton Rouge with Mrs. Permanent Press. We’re looking forward to some seeing some LSU friends and getting the inside scoop on the best food, drink, and atmosphere that a tailgate at Tiger Stadium has to offer.

New Scoreboard at Williams Brice Looking Good

This new board is going to be awesome!

Via SEC Sean.