Sunday, November 11, 2007

Week 12 -- The Bye Week ...

Tailgating - We made our way three mile trek from Cayce to the Farmer's Market around 2:30 p.m., on Saturday and had little traffic to deal with through Olympia ... We were parked by 3 o'clock and the Natural Lights popped out of the cooler immediately ... Our tailgating group of Sonny, Dad, KCock93, Will, Amy, Al & Carla, etc., was joined by some girls from Tampa (that Will met out on Friday night), Amy's friends, Schroer & Jessica, Dave & Kelly E., and Kip & Delesline B. ... Good seeing everyone out on a beautiful fall day ... The food consisted of chips, pickles, boild peanuts, and barbeque sandwiches -- good stuff and easy finger food.

Time Up for Tyrone - Get the Mayflower moving trucks ready ... I made a post after the 2005 Independence Bowl that Tyrone Nix looked like a "deer in headlights" when Brad Smith of Missouri ran all over Shreveport, Louisiana, in an amazing comeback by the Tigers ... Lots of people on the Message Boards and in water cooler discussions scoffed at my disclaimer, but it is one that I believed then, last season, and especially now ... I was hoping that Steve Spurrier would witness this as well, but Nix had a lucky charm in 2006 named Jasper Brinkley that covered a lot of defensive warts -- Nix can thank secondary coach Ron Cooper for delivering him that gift via recruiting ... When I heard of discussions about Nix becoming a head coach at a mid-major or higher I simply laughed, because obviously someone had not been doing their homework -- the media gets duped quickly when a coach is accommodating and gives good sound bites (i.e., the Nix interview on AM-1400 with Phil Kornblut at the USC Football media golf gathering this past summer, which has been a commercial all fall) or at the least just talks to them -- keeps the media from being too critical ... The fact that he is a minority just enhances this love fest with the media -- I know that's not politically correct, but it's a fact with the media ... However, I was hoping he would bite on some sort of coaching gig elsewhere (for instance the Division II Ouachita Baptist College job that I yelled about at Fayetteville, Arkansas last week) ... But, a month ago at 6-1 the folks around Columbia were clamoring him to be a defensive mastermind -- a buddy of mine even said the horrid sports talk radio show in the Midlands known as the "Matt & Tim Show" anointed him a better coach than Steve Spurrier (shows how much that time slot knows about sports) ... While I wished that this downward spiral had not happened and truly wish that I had been proved wrong, simply put -- I was right ... I didn't like the hire of co-defensive coordinators in 2005 and when John Thompson was shown the door prior to the bowl game I thought that it might allow Nix to implement an attacking minded unit, but he has insisted on a read-and-react philosophy (remember Wally Burnham?) and that folks will get you killed in the SEC (i.e., the 1,200 yards and 99 points surrendered to Arkansas and Florida attest) ... I'm convinced that line coach Brad Lawing had more to do with the '06 unit's results -- as well as having a healthy Brinkley roaming in the middle ... The 3-4 scheme (regardless of USC calling it a 4-3 alignment) he has slowly implemented in the second half of the year has totally wasted the senior years of a couple of suitable linemen in Ryan Brown (end) and Joel Reaves (tackle) -- they aren't stars, but they are serviceable ... Why emphasize your weakest area (linebackers) by running that alignment? ... And what are we to make of these linemen standing up on the line of scrimmage as in Tim Tebow's first touchdown? ... How ridiculous is that scheme? ... Hey, Nix, remember '05 when you and Thompson tried this same thing only to be ripped to shreds by Alabama and Auburn? ... I do and it didn't work then and it won't work now! ... No gumption, guts, or resolve on this unit -- and no one in charge that can make the right call! ... Take a look at the Gamecocks' 15 losses in the Steve Spurrier era:

15 Losses since 2005
(Averages = 29.3 points, 408.5 yards, 213.3 rushing):
-----------------------------------------------------
'05 @ Georgia
(17 points, 350 yards, 238 rushing)
'05 Alabama
(37 points, 489 yards, 338 rushing)
'05 @ Auburn
(48 points, 388 yards, 123 rushing)
'05 Clemson (13 points, 347 yards, 175 rushing)
'05 vs. Missouri
(38 points, 504 yards, 203 rushing)
-----------------------------------------------------
'06 Georgia
(18 points, 387 yards, 198 rushing)
'06 Auburn
(24 points, 307 yards, 127 rushing
'06 Tennessee
(31 points, 325 yards, 71 rushing)
'06 Arkansas
(26 points, 495 yards, 267 rushing)
'06 @ Florida
(17 points, 401 yards, 147 rushing)
-----------------------------------------------------
'07 @ LSU (28 points, 360 yards, 290 rushing)
'07 Vanderbilt (17 points, 269 yards, 146 rushing)
'07 @ Tennessee
(27 points, 317 yards, 101 rushing)
'07 @ Arkansas
(48 points, 651 yards, 542 rushing)
'07 Florida
(51 points, 537 yards, 233 rushing)

Missing Guys - I guess USC was lucky that Percy Harvin wasn't available for the Gators -- much in the same way that the Gamecocks missed Early Doucet at LSU earlier this season -- two of the best play-makers in the SEC that South Carolina didn't have to face this fall ... In all reality it just shoved those responsibilities to Tebow, who made mincemeat of the Carolina defense ... On the other hand USC is really missing the season services of not only Jasper Brinkley, but how about Nathan Pepper, Dustin Lindsey, and Jordin Lindsey? ... Though the Lindsey's are a bit wild for my liking away from the field, Dustin would have been a better middle linebacker to replace Brinkley than what the Gamecocks currently have on the roster and Jordin is a more disciplined end that would have been a good complement to Casper Brinkley and Eric Norwood in that rotation -- Norwood's free-wheeling is being exposed play after play since the Kentucky game and having Jordin there would allow Casper to shift to an outside linebacker spot.

Tough Tebow - What an easy night for the sensational sophomore! ... Seven touchdowns (five rushing, two passing) and 424 yards of offense steamrolled the Gamecocks ... I stated last year that Urban Meyer would get that kid killed running him like he does, but the 6-5, 235-pound brut has made a believer out of me ... USC will never beat Tim Tebow as long as he's the starter in Gainesville -- mark it down ... Why was there no spy and constant popping of this guy on and after every play? ... Who gives a darn about a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct as long as you can set a tone of "hey, we're here and are going to hit you time and time again"? ... Several times while Tebow threw the ball there was an opportunity to unload on him, but each instance saw a Gamecock shy away from contact -- are you kidding me? ... He's a much better passer than I thought and he's tough as nails -- laugh all you want about him wearing jorts, but he manhandled South Carolina ... When he threw that last touchdown with 1:37 remaining in the game some USC defender should have planted his backside permanently into the turf at Williams-Brice Stadium ... He basically bent USC over his knee and spanked their backsides for 60 minutes!

Heisman Trophy - South Carolina is making anyone close to the Heisman Trophy race look like world beaters ... Last week it was Arkansas' Darren McFadden (who rushed for a more pedestrian 117 yards in a 34-13 blowout loss at Tennessee on Saturday) and this week it was Tim Tebow ... With a showdown vs. Clemson in two weeks the duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller could possibly have some ammunition for a run at the 2008 Heisman Trophy as USC's defense resembles that pathetic Wally Burnham side in 1995 when the Gamecocks allowed Robert Edwards (Georgia), Madre Hill (Arkansas), and Moe Williams (Kentucky) to run wild in three of the first four games of that season ... Thank goodness South Carolina doesn't have Oregon, Hawaii, and West Virginia on the 2007 slate.

So Long Seniors - There are 16 seniors (minus J. Brinkley) that will face off against Clemson in the home finale and six are starters: QB B. Mitchell; RB C. Boyd; FB L. Stafford; TE A. Boyd; OL W. Brown; DE C. Brinkley ... Five other significant players: OL J. Thompson; DL J. Reaves; LB C. Wells; DB C. Hampton; DB B. Isaac ... The rest: TE R. Pavlovic; DL R. Brown; LB G. Wright; DB T. Erving; and DB M. West ... So far, that group who has been around since 2004 has compiled a career record of 27-20 overall and 15-17 in the Southeastern Conference and played in two bowl games.

Lack of D-Line - Where's the beef? ... Where are the run stoppers? ... Where are the pass rushers? ... How come all these other teams find big uglies to man the middle and clog things up, but every season it seems USC struggles in this department? ... Marque Hall has not had a good season, period ... The Gamecock fan websites touted that USC had "changed the DNA" of the defensive line, which has proved to be as much lip service as the much bally-hooed Mike West was several years ago ... Well, give me that over-achieving group from last year anyday of the week ... Remember, Nathan Pepper had already been moved to end for being tabbed as a Southern Conference type player last year ... Others like the aforementioned Joel Reaves and Ryan Brown get spot duty here and there ... Kenrick Ellis has seen more action the past couple of weeks, but that might not be such a good thing as the Gamecocks have turned in their two worst outings at Arkansas and vs. Tennessee ... I think Ladi Ajiboye is playing OK, especially for a freshman, and feel like Clifton Geathers and Travian Robertson will improve, but right now they just get trampled by the offensive linemen more times than not.

No LBs - The host of CSTV's morning show asked, "Does South Carolina not have a middle linebacker?" ... Well, that short answer is, "No" ... Wow! ... Talk about getting gutted once again! ... Pitiful display by the linebacking corps ... Five players (Darian Stewart, Emanuel Cook, Stoney Woodson, Chris Hampton, Casper Brinkley), including the first four of the secondary, had more tackles than linebackers Marvin Sapp, Rodney Paulk, and Cody Wells ... Making tackles cannot be that difficult, but USC makes it look almost impossible at times ... Where is Gerrod Sinclair? ... How about Yvan Banag? ... Surely they would put forth a better effort than the status quo -- wouldn't they? ... I have to believe it's more of a "want to" than a talent discussion.

Weak Team - Hold the hoorays and applause for strength coach Mark Smith, because USC is a physically weak team in 2007 ... I know part of it is due to the youth and the freshmen and sophomores have not had ample weight room time to make the difference of playing against upperclassmen, but this group has a long way to go ... As a whole -- throughout the squad -- it's just not an impressive team physically ... This group has a lot of work to do in terms of getting to a SEC level of physicality.

Special Teams - Ugh! ... Against Florida, Chris Culliver averaged a paltry 22 yards per kickoff return (four of them) with a long of 31 ... Up-backs Andy Boyd (10 yards) and Melvin Ingram (15 yards) combined for a 12.5 yard average ... Ryan Succop gets another punt blocked, but did average 46.3 a kick and got three downed inside the 20 yard line ... Two onsides kicks are unsuccessful ... Succop drilled a 44 yard field goal to get back on track ... UF's Brandon James ripped off a 39 yard kickoff return and John Curtis had a 13 yard punt return ... I haven't been impressed with the contributions of Coach Fred Chatham yet and for that matter, Shane Beamer.

Playing the SEC Offenses - A while ago it was posted that South Carolina had built their defense to compete against the pro-style offenses of the SEC East Division teams ... You know what, that's probably true ... Think about this -- Carolina played well defensively against Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, but has struggled with others that have more options from the QB spot ... When USC can drop extra defensive backs into the scheme is when Carolina holds opponents to lower scoring numbers ... Conversely, when the Gamecocks have to load up the box against run teams is when USC gets gnashed to death.

Tough Hits - How about Chris Hampton getting leveled by tight end Aaron Hernandez on that 55 yard play? ... CSTV kept showing Tim Tebow plowing through freshman Melvin Ingram (can he not play end or tackle next year?) for a score ... Anyone see Mike Davis get pummelled on the blocked punt of Ryan Succop -- didn't I say a couple of weeks ago about not rolling out on punts (it's poor and a gimmick that seems to fail as much as it works) ... Speaking of Davis, what about that head shot he took when fighting for extra yardage and yet again fumbled ... Blake Mitchell continues to get up after getting pounded due to the play of Justin Sorensen and Heath Batchelor -- someone get Mitchell a flak jacket for that Clemson game ... Florida whipped USC every which way possible and I'm sure there are some bruised bodies, as well as egos, over at Williams-Brice Stadium today.

3rd Down - Like a hot knife through butter ... What a description for the Gamecocks' defense ... Last week Arkansas converted 10 of 13 and this week Florida makes 12 of 16 -- that's laughable! ... When a team is able to convert 76% of those situations then the other team can forget about winning the game ... That's not defense, that's heart (or lack thereof).

Florida Fans - I'm in Section 9 and there was a bunch of blue and orange in that area ... Why? ... Don't Carolina fans have any pride in selling their tickets to fellow Garnet & Black supporters or give them away to charitable organizations and such? ... I sold a ticket this weekend for face value -- to a USC fan ... Why the constant price gouging of your own group that I see on the Ticket Exchanges? ... Makes no sense to me, but some people are in it for the almighty dollar I guess ... Let me say this -- there better not be Clemson fans around me in two weeks (if there are then I'll mention it to the Gamecock Club to see if they can get some real South Carolina fans around there) ... I've also heard of a commercial on AM-1400 about a Clemson gathering that has rented out a tailgating spot right across from Williams-Brice Stadium -- huh? ... What establishment is this and why allow the Tigers to setup so close to the action? ... Heck, I have to park in the boondocks in Tiger Town.

$55 & Stadium Expansion - That's the face value of a ticket to the Florida/South Carolina game in Columbia ... Pardon me for feeling that those entertainment dollars were flushed down the toiled this past Saturday ... It's expensive being a fan ... After logging more than 5,000 miles this fall watching Gamecock Football and spending more money than I want to think about on gas, airfare, lodging, meals, tickets, parking, etc., I feel more than entitled to comment about the current state of USC's facilities and the rising costs of attending games at Williams-Brice Stadium ... Anyone that hasn't been to the campuses of the SEC schools really can't understand how far behind the University of South Carolina is in terms of infrastructure ... The athletic facilities and admininstrative offices of the Athletics Department really are in the bottom third of the SEC as a whole ... A sold out stadium last night meant that $4.4 million was generated on ticket sales (assuming each one is bought for $55 -- I'm not taking out players/coaches tickets, band seats, etc.) -- so, figure $4 million was made last night ... Multiply that by seven home dates and that is $28 million to the USC coffers ... I believe USC's annual athletics budget is around $55 million so when you factor in the Gamecock Club dues, men's basketball ticket sales, SEC revenue, etc., then you realize the need for extra in-take is necessary ... However, a similar ticket in Gainesville last year cost $35 -- that's a major difference and the fact that there are a lot more "Bull Gators" -- highest giving athletic donors at UF -- compared to USC's Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver Spurs ... Hopefully, USC's Capital Campaign can generate that $100 million goal, but that is a tough sell when the Gamecocks have compiled consecutive 3-5 SEC seasons ... I made a personal pledge to up my ante from Half Scholarship to Full Scholarship earlier this year -- in support of those efforts, but should South Carolina lose to Clemson and not participate in the bowl season, then I have a good notion to not follow through on that pledge ... I realize that ultimately this just hurts me in relation to the points garnered with the Gamecock Club, but I'm 36 years old and USC has never -- I repeat never -- beaten the Tigers in back-to-back football seasons ... The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result ... Well, that extra $650 might not be a big deal to the Gamecock Club folks or to you who is reading this, but that money can be used elsewhere I can assure you (probably in more needed areas, too :-).

Leaving Early - I've been everywhere in the SEC and ACC and leaving early is a common theme when the home team is getting pulverized ... It happens! ... I've seen it at Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Miss. State, etc. ... When a team cashes out on that particular game or the season itself, which has been a popular thought since the second half of the North Carolina game, then how can you blame a fan base for getting up and leaving? ... Gamecock fans like to boast that they are among the best in the nation and I believe they are because what other program in 100+ years of football has supported their team financially and in attendance despite a history of mediocrity? ... To put into perspective I commented to three girls from the University of Florida that were tailgating with our group (two of them live in Tampa) that we had enjoyed a couple of trips to the Outback Bowl and they replied with, "yeah, we have too, but that just means you suck if you played in the Outback Bowl" ... Those are two of the biggest wins in the history of Carolina football and that kind of performance and season doesn't even register into the minds of Gator football fans ... I, personally, don't blame anyone that lives more than an hour away from the Midlands from leaving last night when Florida took the opening drive of the third quarter and extended its lead to three touchdowns ... I don't leave early -- the only game I can remember when I did was in protest of Brad Scott's regime in 1998 vs. Mississippi State when the Bulldogs jumped out to a 13-0 lead minutes into the game when Carolina donned all black uniforms for a 12:30 p.m., kickoff (by the time I reached the Farmer's Market it was 20-0 :-) ... For folks like Misty from Marion, S.C., who called into the postgame show about not being fortunate enough to see the games live and commenting that it looks bad to the nation and that the team needs support and it will affect recruiting -- bah-humbug! ... You think the University of Miami has played before the amount of fans that view South Carolina football on a weekly basis? ... I think not and look at the success of the Hurricanes for a 20-year span from 1980-2000!

Sack the Black - I can't stand one colored uniforms unless they are all white ... The all garnet, all black combinations look so high schoolish ... I vote that when USC plays in the day time of August/September to wear garnet jerseys and white pants and at night to wear the black jerseys and white pants ... In the months of October/November, I vote to wear black jerseys when playing anyone other than Vanderbilt and to wear garnet against the Commodores ... Since so much "red" is in the SEC, I always want to be as contrasting as possible.

Radio Delay - Anyone else experience the radio delay in Williams-Brice Stadium? ... I listen to the Gamecock Radio production at home games and the host radio station at away games and have never heard such a delay ... For instance, if a play was run then Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs would be heard through the earphones 4-5 seconds later ... Very frustrating to say the least ... I often wonder if they are watching the same game I am from their perch high atop Williams-Brice Stadium, but last night was maddening ... Just wondering if others had this problem.

Postgame - Kudos to sideline and locker room reporter Duce Staley for stating some obvious observations and enlightening the listeners to some of the problems with the defensive schemes last night on the postgame show ... It was evident that the former USC standout was ticked off and frustrated by the play of the Gamecocks and he made those comments loud and clear ... Thank goodness for not sugar coating the errors by the USC coaches and players ... I appreciated the candidness of Staley and hope he continues with that straight-forwardness.

Come on Back Al - This note was pinned to KCock93's Ford Explorer SportTrac after the game:

I cannot take this sorry ass playing anymore. I left with 8 minutes to go in the 2nd half. I do hope for your sake and mine we can come back, but I cannot watch it anymore tonight. I may or may not make it to the Clemson game. I'm just sick and tired of getting fired up and mad as hell. Good luck to us all. - Al

I think we all, as Gamecock fans, can attest to feeling this type of emotional strain from time to time!

Long Month - Actually it hasn't even been a month, but the Gamecocks' four game skid started October 20 vs. Vanderbilt and has followed USC to Knoxville (Oct. 27), Fayetteville (Nov. 3) and back to the Capital City (Nov. 10) ... Throw in a bye week and that's five weekends of a losing streak -- only a win vs. Clemson can save the season ... This span is really gnawing at the USC fan base!

Tough Slate - Playing in the SEC is difficult as everyone knows and the fact that the SEC East Division has the triumvirate of Florida-Georgia-Tennessee makes it even more challenging ... Throw in the three games vs. the SEC West and the annual non-conference finale vs. arch-rival Clemson and that's a recipe for a bunch of tough games ... However, has USC ever faced a schedule that includes nine teams with winning records? ... Someone research that for me -- thanks in advance.

Bowl Eligible - Here's a link to the 2007-08 Bowl Schedule -

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10137427

I hope that South Carolina finds a way to get into the postseason, because this team really needs the extra practice days regardless of a win or loss in December.

10 (2) - Kansas, Ohio State

9 (8) - Arizona State, Boise State, Hawaii, Louisiana State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia

8 (14) - Air Force, Boston College, Cincinnati, Clemson, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State, Southern California, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin

7 (13) - Auburn, Brigham Young, Central Florida, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, Purdue, South Florida, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Troy, Tulsa, Utah

6 (22) - Alabama, Arkansas, Bowling Green, California, Central Michigan, East Carolina, Florida State, Fresno State, Georgia Tech, Houston, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Navy, Northwestern, Oregon State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky

M-Soccer - I had a good time at Senior Night this past Friday at Stone Stadium ... There was a great crowd on a chilly but clear evening ... Super up-and-down action the last 45 minutes and through overtime ... Big, big, big, win for the Gamecocks ... USC is now 10-5-2 overall and 4-2-2 in Conference USA ... Man of the Match for USC was a tie between goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer and forward Mike Lindsay -- both true freshmen ... Carolina is 3-0-2 in overtime matches this fall ... South Carolina now owns a 4-1-1 mark lifetime vs. the Wildcats and avenged a 1-0 double overtime defeat from 2006 ... USC won the C-USA Tournament Championship in 2005, but dropped an opening day tourney match last year as the #4 seed to UAB, 3-2 ... SMU is the defending tournament champion while Tulsa claimed this fall's regular season title ... Carolina will face Memphis in Birmingham on Wednesday ... The Gamecocks and Tigers tied 1-1 through two overtime periods in Memphis on October 20.

Conference USA Men's Soccer Tournament
Birmingham, Alabama (Nov. 14-18)

Wednesday
Match 1, 1:00 pm - #2 SMU (6-1-1, 13-3-2) vs. #7 Florida International (2-6-0, 3-12-2)
Match 2, 3:30 pm - #3 Kentucky (5-3-0, 7-9-2) vs. #6 Marshall (3-5-0, 9-8-1)
Match 3, 6:30 pm - #4 South Carolina (4-2-2, 10-5-2) vs. #5 Memphis (3-2-3, 10-4-4)
Match 4, 9:00 pm - #1 Tulsa (6-0-2, 12-2-2) vs. #8 UAB (2-6-0, 7-10-1)
Central Florida
(0-6-2, 4-12-2) did not make the Tournament

Friday - SEMIFINALS
Match 5, 6:00 pm - M1 Winner vs. M2 Winner
Match 6, 8:30 pm
- M3 Winner vs. M4 Winner

Sunday - CHAMPIONSHIP
3:00 pm
- M5 Winner vs. M6 Winner, Televised Live by CSTV

M-Basketball - I didn't get to the S.C. State basketball game until midway through the second half since I was at the soccer match ... I didn't get to see much of the game, but was impressed with the speed of Devan Downey and the sheer bulk of Mike Holmes ... I didn't expect a rout of the Bulldogs, but South Carolina absolutely destroyed their MEAC foes ... Hope we see more of the same this week vs. The Citadel and Southern California ... The other "USC" lost its opener in Los Angeles to Mercer of all teams in the debut of heralded freshman guard O.J. Mayo (32 points) ... Remember when former athletics director Mike McGee said that the Colonial Center structure could not hang banners and other such displays due to its roof design? ... Well, the current USC Administration pretty much debunked that theory by hanging the NCAA, NIT, and conference championship banners from those girders and have also put on display the retired basketball numbers of past greats in men's and women's basketball ... Let this be a lesson to "Iron Mike", who now lives in Montrose, Colorado -- don't ever say "it's impossible to do something."

W-Soccer - USC captured its first SEC Tournament victory ever last week with a 2-0 win vs. Tennessee at Orange Beach, Alabama ... The Lady Gamecocks are 14-6-2 on the year and should receive a NCAA Tournament bid, which will be announced Monday night on ESPNEWS (8-8:30 p.m.) ... Carolina, which has 12 shutouts on the year, has not participated in the event since 1998 and finished 11-6-5 a year ago.

W-Volleyball - Three straight losing seasons for the Somera's (first two years Nancy and this year Ben) ... 12-14 overall and 5-12 in the SEC with one weekend to play ... I don't know much about volleyball, but I do know the Lady Gamecocks should win more than they lose and that's not been the case since Kim Hudson Christopher resigned.

Running Ragged - South Carolina has allowed seven individual 100+ yard rushers in 2007, but only three teams (ULA-LAF, LSU, ARK) to gain more than 200 yards:

W, LA-LAFAYETTE, 252 Team, 116 M. Desormeaux
W, @ Georgia
, 128 Team, 104 K. Moreno
W, S.C. STATE
, 196 Team, 112 W. Ford
L, @ LSU, 290 Team, 88 J. Hester
W, MISS. STATE, 140 Team, 83 A. Dixon

W, KENTUCKY
, 157 Team, 135 R. Little
W, @ North Carolina
, 113 Team, 37 J. White
L, VANDERBILT, 146 Team, 84 M. Adams
L, @ Tennessee
, 101 Team, 75 A. Foster
L, @ Arkansas
, 542 Team, 321 D. McFadden / 166 F. Jones
L, FLORIDA
, 233 Team, 125 T. Tebow

The Gamecocks are 1-3 when allowing a team to rush for 200+ yards and 4-2 when allowing an individual to rush for more than 100+ yards.

Spurrier Success - For anyone doubting the progress that USC is making under Steve Spurrier compare his three year run to the previous three years:

2005-present
3-0 vs. Kentucky
2-0 vs. Mississippi State

2-1 vs. Vanderbilt
1-1 vs. Clemson
1-2 vs. Arkansas

1-2 vs. Florida

1-2 vs. Georgia

1-2 vs. Tennessee

0-1 vs. Alabama

0-1 vs. Louisiana State

0-2 vs. Auburn

---------------------------------
12-14 vs. SEC & Clemson (8-7 East & 3-6 West)
9-1 vs. other teams
21-15 (.583) overall
2 bowls, 1 victory
11-8 in single digit games

2002-2004
3-0 vs. Kentucky

3-0 vs. Vanderbilt
1-0 vs. Alabama

1-0 vs. Mississippi State

1-2 vs. Arkansas

0-2 vs. Louisiana State

0-2 vs. Mississippi

0-3 vs. Clemson
0-3 vs. Florida

0-3 vs. Georgia

0-3 vs. Tennessee

---------------------------------
9-18 vs. SEC & Clemson (6-9 East & 3-6 West)
7-1 vs. other teams
16-19 (.457) overall
0 bowls
6-8 in single digit games

Games decided by single digits:

2007 (2-1)
W - @ Georgia, 16-12
W - @ North Carolina, 21-15
L - @ Tennessee, 24-27 ot

2006 (4-4)
W - Wofford, 27-20
L - Auburn, 17-24
W - @ Kentucky, 24-17
L - Tennessee
, 24-31
L - Arkansas
, 20-26
L - @ Florida, 16-17
W - @ Clemson, 31-28
W - vs. Houston
, 44-36

2005 (5-3)
W - Central Florida
, 24-15
L - @ Georgia, 15-17
W - Vanderbilt, 35-28
W - @ Tennessee, 16-15
W - @ Arkansas, 14-10
W - Florida
, 30-22
L - Clemson, 9-13
L - vs. Missouri
, 31-38

2004 (2-2)
L - Georgia
, 16-20
L - Mississippi
, 28-31
W - @ Kentucky, 12-7
W - Arkansas
, 35-32

2003 (2-3)
W - Louisiana-Lafayette, 14-7
L - @ Tennessee, 20-23 ot
W - Kentucky
, 27-21
L - @ Mississippi, 40-43
L - Florida
, 22-24

2002 (2-3)
L - Georgia
, 7-13
W - @ Vanderbilt, 20-14
W - @ Kentucky, 16-12
L - Tennessee
, 10-18
L - @ Clemson, 20-27