Week #1 - My thoughts and observations …
Kickoff – Summer is over! … Well, it is finally that time of year when the pigskin starts flying for real and the only thing that matters is the final score when the scoreboard reads 0:00 … I have been asked in person, on the phone, and via e-mail the better part of this month on what my thoughts are for South Carolina Football in 2008 so below is the first of “My thoughts and observations …” in what has become a weekly tradition on a couple of Gamecock Message Boards and at my blog, “Kubby’s Korner” … Hope you enjoy the read!
History – This season marks the 30th consecutive Carolina Football season for me and the Gamecocks have registered a 163-162-6 mark (.502) in those 331 games … My parents bought my brother and I season tickets for the 1979 season when we were eight years old and I can remember watching “Big George” (Rogers) rumble past a number of ACC teams (Duke, N.C. State, Wake Forest, and Clemson) at Williams-Brice Stadium en route to a Hall of Fame Bowl berth in Birmingham, AL … Winning eight games, going to a bowl game, and having All-America caliber players – “this Gamecock Football is alright”, I am sure I thought to myself … Well, history has proven that those types of seasons are the ones to savor as a Carolina fan and the lean decade of the 1990s was enough to make me cherish the 2000s as USC has gone bowling four times, been .500 or better six of eight years, and has moved to the middle of the pack in the vaunted Southeastern Conference .. Give me a consistent 7-8 wins (including a 50/50 split with Clemson) and a bowl game and you won’t hear me complain about the Gamecocks on the gridiron.
14 Winning Seasons (102-59-1)
’79 (8-4), ’80 (8-4), ’84 (10-2), ’87 (8-4), ’88 (8-4), ’89 (6-4-1), ’90 (6-5), ’94 (7-5), ’96 (6-5), ’00 (8-4), ’01 (9-3), ’04 (6-5), ’05 (7-5), ’06 (8-5)
13 Losing Seasons (49-91-5)
’82 (4-7), ’83 (5-6), ’85 (5-6), ’86 (3-6-2), ’91 (3-6-2), ’92 (5-6), ’93 (4-7), ’95 (4-6-1), ’97 (5-6), ’98 (1-10), ’99 (0-11), ’02 (5-7), ’03 (5-7)
2 .500 Seasons (12-12)
’81 (6-6), ’07 (6-6)
Streaks – I have missed two home games since 1979 – ’81 Clemson and ’98 Ball State – so that is 70 consecutive home games and 198 overall at Williams-Brice Stadium … I have been privileged to see every game during the Steve Spurrier era in person except for the 2005 trip to Arkansas, so that is 28 consecutive games and 35 of 36 since 2005 … Throw in Lou Holtz’s final season in 2004 when I witnessed all 11 games and that is 46 of 47 – I made all but the Arkansas game in 2003 so that equals 57 of the past 59 contests … Since USC joined the SEC for football in 1992, I have seen Carolina play 159 of 185 games (86%) … I have sat in Section 9 since the early 1980s (except for my four years at Carolina when I worked in the Sports Information Office – press box duties from 1990-93) … Previously I sat in the South end zone (1979-80) and after a couple of seasons in the lower rows of Section 8 I have had the same seats midway up in that section for the past 25 or so years … I have attended every bowl game since ’79 except for the Liberty Bowl in 1988 – ’79 Hall of Fame, ’80 Gator, ’84 Gator, ’87 Gator, ’94 Carquest, ’00 Outback, ’01 Outback, ’05 Independence, and ’06 Liberty … I have seen every Carolina-Georgia game since 1984 and every Carolina-Clemson game since 1985 … I have been to every football venue in the SEC and can truly say that it is a mini-vacation four times each fall – I highly recommend USC fans getting on the road to experience first hand the value of the University of South Carolina being in the best college football league in the country.
- 41 SEC Road Trips – Alabama (’93-’04), Arkansas (’07), Auburn (’96-’05), Florida (’06-’04-’02-’00-’96-’94), Georgia (’85-’87-’89-’93-’95-’97-’99-’01-’03-’05-’07), Kentucky (’92-’94-’96-’00-’02-’04-’06), Louisiana State (’07), Mississippi (’03), Mississippi State (’06), Tennessee (’07-’05-’03-’01-’97-’95-’93), Vanderbilt (’04-’06)
USC in SEC – The Gamecocks own a 48-79-1 (.379) league mark since joining the Southeastern Conference in 1992 … If you analyze the “coaching breakdown” below, you will notice that USC has become increasingly competitive in this extraordinary league, but not nearly as fast as the Gamecock Nation would like … When Carolina entered the SEC, as unequipped as the Gamecocks Athletics program was at the time for the jump from an Independent status in football and Metro Conference affiliation in other sports, it has taken the better part of a decade and a half to get things on the level … Since 2000, USC has amassed a 30-34 (.469) SEC mark, which includes a 7-26 record vs. the “Big 6” and a 23-8 record vs. the “Other 5” … That is a 12-game improvement compared to the same time frame of 1992-99 when the Gamecocks amassed a total of 18-45-1 (.289) and 4-25-1 mark vs. the “Big 6” and a 14-20 mark vs. the “Other 5” … South Carolina has posted three winning records and tallied three break-even seasons in SEC play the past 16 years and records of 11-51-1 vs. the “Big 6” and 37-28 vs. the “Other 5” … The difference between a University of South Carolina football player in 1997 compared to 2007 can be viewed by what player wore #52 – Shane Burnham or Jasper Brinkley!
Years, Coach, SEC Record, SEC %, USC PTS-OPP PTS, +/-
2005-07, Steve Spurrier, 11-13, .458, 22.0-23.6, -1.6
1999-04, Lou Holtz, 19-29, .396, 18.4-22.9, -4.5
1994-98, Brad Scott, 13-26-1, .338, 22.2-28.4, -6.2
1992-93, Sparky Woods, 5-11, .313, 13.6-24.1, -10.5
2000-07 (30-34, .469) – 4 Bowls
’07 (3-5), ’06 (3-5)*, ’05 (5-3)*, ’04 (4-4), ’03 (2-6), ’02 (3-5), ’01 (5-3)*, ’00 (5-3)*
1992-99 (18-45-1, .289) – 1 Bowl
’99 (0-8), ’98 (0-8), ’97 (3-5), ’96 (4-4), ’95 (2-5-1), ’94 (4-4)*, ’93 (2-6), ’92 (3-5)
vs. SEC Opponents 1992-99 (18-45-1)
Alabama (0-2), Arkansas (3-5), Auburn (0-2), Florida (0-8), Georgia (2-6), Kentucky (3-5), Louisiana State (1-0-1), Mississippi (0-2), Mississippi State (2-6), Tennessee (1-7), Vanderbilt (6-2)
vs. SEC Opponents 2000-07 (30-34)
Alabama (2-2), Arkansas (3-5), Auburn (0-2), Florida (1-7), Georgia (3-5), Kentucky (8-0), Louisiana State (0-3), Mississippi (0-2), Mississippi State (5-0), Tennessee (1-7), Vanderbilt (7-1)
Recruiting – I respect the emphasis recruiting has taken over the years, because anyone that has ever coached knows that 90% of the time that the old axiom of “Jimmy’s and Joe’s beat X’s and O’s” … However, I think that USC’s two biggest recruits for 2008 were not in the form of players, but rather as coaches … The hirings of Ellis Johnson as the Defensive Coordinator and Ray Rychleski as the Special Teams Coordinator are immense … I truly believe that these two coaches will be the difference in two more wins this fall for the Gamecocks – instead of 6-6 in 2007 that would have been an 8-4 mark and another bowl … I stated in 2006 and 2007 repeatedly that I had concern (more like a lot of doubt) that Tyrone Nix could get the job done as Defensive Coordinator … It just did not make sense to me that Spurrier, who hired Nix as a “co”-DC with John Thompson in 2005, would not have done so just a year earlier … All of my doubt was removed at the ’05 Independence Bowl after Thompson had departed the USC staff following the Clemson game and Nix was handed the reigns … After getting leads of 21-0 and 28-7 in the first half, Nix’s defense was shredded to pieces by Missouri quarterback Brad Smith as the Tigers rallied for a 38-31 victory in Shreveport, LA … I will never forget Spurrier pacing down the sidelines to Nix and the quick conversation of “can you stop them” and the deer-in-the-headlights look ensued … The local media chose not to focus on this aspect of the staff due to the friendliness of Nix to those members … However, the dismal collapse of 2007 allowed no one from facing the music and though Nix “left” for a similar position at Ole Miss, there is no doubt in my mind that had he remained in Columbia that it would have been in a demoted position – and justifiably so … In the modern era of football, I expect a top tier SEC defense to yield 20 points or less and limit opponents to around 125 yards rushing … I know everyone likes to focus on throwing the football, but if you cannot eliminate a team running the football, then the pass defense statistics are an anomaly – why throw the ball when two of three things that can happen are bad … I know this, Spurrier does not want to coach that side of the football and the past couple of years he has had to dabble in the organization of that unit – he doesn’t have to do that with Johnson, who is a proven commodity in the SEC as a DC … I feel the same about Rychleski after his success at Maryland directing Ralph Friedgen’s special teams troops … Oh for a unit that hustles down the field on kickoff and punt coverage, takes pride in its blocking for the punter and place kicker, and becomes an integral part of the attack instead of a liability to the entire team … I love special teams – it’s the most important 1/3 of the game that so many teams ignore or just try to get by … References of “he’s just the kicker, holder, deep snapper, etc.” are heard time and again, but these spots are just as important as the guys that are throwing, catching, or running the ball … Lose this part of the game and it’s imperative that the offense and defense are head and shoulders better then the opponent … However, emphasizing this unit’s importance and the difference it can make in a game – or a season for that matter – and you have the recipe for a winner.
I Feel Good – Areas of the team I feel confident about … Coaching staff … Secondary … Tight Ends … Ladi Ajiboye … Jasper Brinkley … Emanuel Cook … Chris Culliver … Mike Davis … Pat DiMarco … Dustin Lindsey … Jordin Lindsey … Kenny McKinley … Captain Munnerlyn … Eric Norwood … Rodney Paulk … Marvin Sapp … Ryan Succop … Darian Stewart … Stoney Woodson.
Concerns – Offensive line – all of them and as a unit … Quarterback … Defensive line … Garrett Anderson … Pierre Andrews … Terrence Campbell … Matt Clements … Stephen Garcia … Nick Prochak … Carlos Thomas … Marque Hall … Joseph Hills … Melvin Ingram … Taylor Rank … Bobby Wallace … Kevin Young.
Hate N.C. State – I hate N.C. State … I hate the Wolfpack … I hate “The Caisson Song” … I hate the Mr. and Mrs. Wolfpack mascots … N.C. State fans put the red in redneck! … During my formative years this was the one team that I learned to hate … I remember George Rogers running over a Wolfpack defender and planting him into the Astroturf in Columbia … I remember a Halloween win in Columbia … I remember going to Raleigh and hearing the wolf howl over the intercom at Carter-Finley Stadium in 1982 during N.C. State’s 33-3 drubbing of Richard Bell’s only Gamecock team … I remember a thrilling 35-28 come from behind win at Raleigh when Kent Hagood broke his leg and all seemed lost for USC during the “Black Magic” season of 1984 – some of the NCSU fraternity boys burned a Carolina car flag on my father’s brand new Chevrolet Caprice Classic and a near melee occurred (all of this after a USC female fan about got tipped over in a Port-A-John by some NCSU fans) … I remember a couple of long time future NFL players (Erik Kramer and Haywood Jeffries) hooking up to break the hearts of the South Carolina faithful in 1985 … I remember Danny Peebles pushing Gus Robinson out of the end zone in 1986 for a definite home-job by the ACC officials that gave first year NCSU Coach Dick Sheridan a win vs. his alma mater (remember the phantom flag dropped prior to this play with no time remaining?) … I remember that loss being taken personal by everyone associated with the Gamecocks in 1987 as USC demolished N.C. State 48-0 in Columbia during its “Black Death” season … I remember Patrick Hinton intercepting three passes and Todd Ellis’ six-gun salute in Raleigh the following year as USC put two miserable weeks of a Georgia Tech loss and a Sports Illustrated steroids scandal away for a weekend in a 23-7 victory … I remember the 1989 home game and a 5-1-1 record came crashing down when a cheap shot by N.C. State on Ellis’ knee ended his season and career at South Carolina … I remember running for our lives from “Stripey” in a rough section of Raleigh during a road trip my sophomore year at USC in 1990 … I remember Hurricane Dennis in 1999 that kicked off the Lou Holtz era at South Carolina … Seemingly, this rivalry has had just about everything including seven wins a piece since 1979 … All this being said, I am glad that N.C. State is back on the schedule and hope that this rivalry will continue into the future as both institutions are the flagship schools of their states and reside in the capital cities of the Tar Heel and Palmetto States, respectively.
ACC – Since joining the SEC in 1992, South Carolina has had limited contact with Atlantic Coast Conference teams outside of the annual season ending rivalry vs. Clemson … USC is 5-11 since ’92 vs. the Tigers, 1-0 vs. North Carolina (’07), 0-1 vs. N.C. State (’99), and 1-1 vs. Virginia (’02-’03) … However, from 1979-91, the Gamecocks compiled a 31-22-1 record vs. ACC foes: Clemson (3-9-1); Duke (8-1-1); Georgia Tech (2-2); North Carolina (4-3); N.C. State (7-6); Virginia (2-1); and Wake Forest (5-0) … Against the modern day ACC, South Carolina compiled a 5-11-2 mark vs. the likes of Florida State (1-9), Miami (0-2), and Virginia Tech (4-0-2) … USC has not faced Boston College of Maryland during this span.
2008 Predictions – I will not complain with anything above 8-4, but realistically speaking the Gamecocks will probably be favored in seven games (N.C. State, @ Vanderbilt, Wofford, Alabama-Birmingham, @ Mississippi, @ Kentucky, and Arkansas) … USC will more than likely be underdogs vs. five teams (Georgia, Louisiana State, Tennessee, @ Florida, and @ Clemson) … The schedule favors South Carolina with Kentucky and Vanderbilt on the road – USC is 15-1 vs. these teams since 2000 … However, the UK game scares me as USC has won the past four contests in Lexington by a total of 19 points and the average road score for USC vs. the Wildcats is 19.6-15.3 (+4.3) … The Gamecocks must end their SEC jinx vs. Ole Miss in Oxford and should take care of business against the Hogs in Columbia – another must for upward mobility! … That would put Carolina at 7-0 with five “toss-ups” … This won’t be Spurrier’s best team in Columbia, but it should be a very successful one.
USC Athletic Department – I became disenchanted with the previous regime during the early 2000s after Mike McGee & Company turned The Roundhouse into his Gestapo Lounge … Everything seemed to be decided in clandestine environs and the Athletic Department took on an “us vs. the world” type image – even with its legions of Gamecock Club members … Many of the Sunshine Pumpers railed against someone calling out that group, but anyone that uses logic knows that it is totally unhealthy for an entity of an organization to operate this way … However, the new administration with Eric Hyman in charge has restored my faith to the leadership at 1300 Rosewood Drive … Not only are things seemingly more in the open and that a new dialogue with the Gamecock Nation has been established, but the attention to detail of “little things” has proved paramount … The basketball hirings of Darrin Horn and Dawn Staley have to be considered slam dunks, the Williams-Brice Stadium renovations have to be considered a touchdown, the development of the new baseball stadium (after years of promises, holdups, etc.) has to be considered a home run, and the construction of “The Dodie” – new academic enrichment center – along with other planned developments such as the Athletics Horseshoe along South Marion Street and the future of the Farmers Market for USC Football and the future is very bright.
YES Plan – I think the Yearly Equitable Seating (YES) plan is pretty good and equitable to all involved … It could have been more unbalanced and unfair to long time contributors to the Gamecock Club, however, it still allows newer donors that perhaps have more disposable income to be rewarded for those efforts … For those long time donors that had faith in the South Carolina Athletics program through a lot of rough times they get an opportunity to continue that passion at a pretty fair price … If they cannot meet that demand then they can decrease their number of tickets or perhaps just be reseated at Williams-Brice Stadium … On the other hand is the chance for someone that is giving a considerable amount of money to the Gamecock Club to actually garner an improved placement for seven Saturdays each Fall … I say "good job" by the Gamecock Club and all involved in this process! … Now it is time for this increased production from the fan base to be proven in terms of wins and losses throughout the sports programs at USC … I cannot remember a more dismal year than 2007-08 in terms of athletic accomplishments, so the clock is ticking … Another performance like the past 12 months is a recipe for disaster! … Now, I have another question for the Gamecock Club – any chance a revisit of the Colonial Center and that seating process will take place in the near future? … Our four tickets went from midway up in Section J/K of Carolina Coliseum to the upper bowl of the Colonial Center … We felt then - and now - that we were basically ostracized due to the corporate dollars that took place with that facility opening.
‘SC’ Logo - Though I don't like losing court battles, I am glad that the University of South Carolina Athletic teams will feature a more unified logo across the board … The "Block C" and the "Gamecock" are the two most recognizable symbols at USC … I never understood why the "Block C" was removed from the baseball hats that were featured from the 1960s through the 1990s … I know June Raines was at the helm when Randy Davis (pitching coach from LSU) influenced the baseball program to change its style to the adjoining "SC" with a baseball in the middle of the "C" … Then, Ray Tanner took over and changed it to the interlocking "SC" … I know USC's batting helmets featured the "Block C" and "Gamecock" in the early 1990s, but I always liked the garnet cap with the black "Block C" outlined in white of the mid-1980s … I didn't care too much for the thin "Block C" of the late 1970s … As for basketball, I never bought into the "USC" script … Here's to the "Block C" -- Forever to Thee!
Capital City – I usually comment on this subject at least once a year, but isn’t it about time that the City of Columbia embraced the concept that is Southeastern Conference football? … Everywhere I go around the SEC the home town team – and the entire state for that matter – take hold of their local squad like nothing else … Whether it be the Big Orange in Tennessee, the Purple & Gold on the Bayou, the Bluegrass of Kentucky, or the Sooieee Pig in Arkansas, SEC pride is everywhere – except Columbia, South Carolina! … I don’t get it! … It’s not like this City is new to this religion (umm, sport), so why not paint the town Garnet & Black? … I’m talking about signage, streamers, balloons, street markings, airplane banners, etc., donning the Capital City landscape in support of the University of South Carolina … Carolina Football is not just a sport, it’s an economic industry unlike any other in this state … It brings in a ton of money to this area, so why not embrace this function – if for nothing more as a money maker … I would love to see night spots such as the Vista and Five Points decked out in the school’s colors and would like to see signage on the main thoroughfares of Gervais Street, Assembly Street, Elmwood Avenue, Bluff Road, Shop Road, etc., adorned with USC paraphernalia – they do it everywhere else! … Time for the City, USC, and the SEC to align as one!
Olympic Sports – Gamecock Nation, don’t forget to support the Olympic Sports during the fall … I know that championships are competed for in W-Cross Country, M/W-Soccer, and W-Volleyball, while most of the other sports are participating in intercollegiate activities as well … A couple of previews for sports I follow closely during the year:
M-Soccer – South Carolina will face five teams ranked in the preseason Top 30 poll by NSCAA/adidas … USC is ranked 36th of the 39 teams that received votes … The Gamecocks, who compete in Conference USA along with #17 SMU and #23 Tulsa, should compete for the league title this fall … South Carolina has a strong nucleus of sophomores and juniors that should lead the way to postseason play in 2008 and anything less than the playoffs will be a disappointing year … USC has recruited very well the past four years and should make the 48-team NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 and could make a run at the College Cup … The Gamecocks enjoyed a super preseason by posting a pair of shutouts at Stone Stadium vs. Big South Conference favorite Winthrop (1-0) and ACC foe N.C. State (3-0) … South Carolina will host arch-rival Clemson on Friday, August 29 – kickoff is 7 p.m. … The Gamecocks edged the Tigers 1-0 in overtime last year at Riggs Field and have split the past four meetings with Clemson.
W-Soccer – South Carolina enjoyed a tremendous 2007 season by taking advantage of a 7-1 home mark en route to a 14-6-3 record and a NCAA Tournament berth … USC finished 5-4-2 in the SEC … USC lost 12 letter winners from that squad, but return SEC Defensive Player of the Year junior Blakely Mattern, senior forward Danila Monteiro, and sophomore Brooke Jacobs to name a few of the returnees … USC will get a good read on their team early with home matches vs. Clemson and Furman in the Carolina Cup Tournament at Stone Stadium September 5-7 before facing #4 Florida State and Marquette at the Auburn Tourney the following weekend.
posted by Kubby @ 6:23 PM
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