I hate to lose to Clemson. Not because of the football team or the university itself. It is because of the fans.
Clemson fans have the IQ most likened to a dog’s, mud or somewhere in between. In other words they are stupid, ugly and worst of all arrogant. They are relentless is their babbling pride. They seem to think their misbegotten talent in football is somehow linked to their overall social status.
Losing to Clemson and having to this listen to these troglodytes brag for 365 days, is like a stomach churning, cramp of nausea that just refuses to go away.
Unfortunately, as Carolina fans, we have to deal with that a lot. For whatever reason, Clemson has had our number for the better part of the rivalry. They lead the all time record and have been dominating in the last decade. Their quote stealing coward of a coach Tommy Bowden has only lost to South Carolina twice during his tenure.
Tomorrow the Gamecocks will take the field against the Tigers and I have strong doubts that Tyrone Nix can come up with a defensive plan to stop Clemson’s talented running game. Still, the garnet blood coursing through my veins always gives me hope and refuses to allow me to pick against the gamecocks.
If we win it will be because we come up with 5 strong defensive stops in the game. That is my key to the game. 5 stops. Make them punt or turn the ball over a total of 5 times. Given that much space, I do have confidence that Coach Spurrier can make them pay.
I will be at the game, in the cold, cheering for my Gamecocks. Hopefully, I will experience the same thing that Bill Murray did when he finally awoke to a new day in the movie Groundhogs day.
My prediction: South Carolina 42 Clemson 35
So… we are playing Florida this weekend. As I said already, I see us going 6 and 6 this weekend. Wait… if you are a superstitious person, we were ranked 6th and we are going to finish up 6 and 6…. 666… the sign of the devil! ACK! The sky isn’t falling, Chicken Little is dead! Darren McFadden ran him down!
We will lose to Florida.
Here will be the call of the game:
Commentator 1: Coming back from half time what does Carolina got to do to get back in this game down by 28 points?
Commentator 2: Well the last two weeks in a row, they have come out of the tunnel and played an amazing half of football, coming close to coming back against Tennessee and keeping it interesting against Arkansas. They are still in this thing.
FAST FORWARD TO 4 MINUTES LEFT IN THE GAME.
Commentator: The gamecocks are down by 3 points. Florida is on the gamecocks 20. SC needs a turnover. Tebow takes the snap. He drops back. OH MY GOD NORWOOD JUST LEVELED HIM! THE BALL IS LOOSE! CAROLINA HAS IT. NOPE WAIT THE BALL IS STILL LOOSE. THE BALL HAS TRAVELED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE FLORIDA’S 4 YARD LINE! TEBOW PICKS THE BALL UP! HE GETS HIT AGAIN. THE BALL IS LOOSE!!!! Nope. Florida recovered. Wow. 5 gamecocks touched the ball.
Commentator #2: That was the most ridiculous play I have ever scene. Florida has the ball on their own 4 yard line. Holy cow!
Commentator #1: It looks like Urban is going to try and run the clock out. The gators are set up in the I formation.
Commentator #2: Wait… who is that? That isn’t Moreno. Who is #5? See if you can zoom in on the running back. (PAUSE) OH MY GOD its DARREN MCFADDEN! He takes the snap. He dodges one gamecock, another, another, another, and another… HE IS IN THE OPEN FIELD! NO ONE IS GOING TO CATCH HIM! TOUCHDOWN GATORS! TOUCHDOWN DARREN MCFADDEN! 96 YARD TOUCHDOWN SCAMPER! THE GAMECOCKS WORST NIGHTMARE JUST CAME TRUE! THE GATORS WIN! THE GATORS WIN!
Seriously. Final Prediction: Gamecocks 21 Florida 38
CLICK FOR FULL SIZED GOODNESSIf you were going to write a movie about
This is true. However, their stats are skewed in that most of their yards and points have come in out of conference games. As a matter of fact, they have lost 3 out of 4 games in conference and their only win is over Ole Miss.
No one man makes a team and other than a few blowouts of less than worthy opponents,
While as I said it is true that
I fully expect Steve Spurrier and Tyrone Nix to put all of their marbles on the rushing defense. They will put the big boys on the line and dare 
#2 in the SEC in passing defense. Should be a good plan.
This is key #1 for
The second key is the exact opposite. We have to avoid letting them limit our rushing attack.
The third and final key is intangible. Which
If the
Before the season began, I predicted
Final Prediction:
It should be a good game to watch.
Since no one really cares (especially if you are reading this blog) about the other teams, I will just stick in what they have to say about South Carolina.
The SEC Champion will be ... LSU over South CarolinaThe Tigers will lose once more, but they'll still roll in the SEC title game over a South Carolina team that'll be able to stay just one step ahead of Florida and Tennessee the rest of the way. It might all come down to the October 27 date in Knoxville, and considering Steve Spurrier's history against Phil Fulmer, this might really be the year when USC becomes bigger and badder than USC.
Coach of the Midseason – Steve Spurrier, South CarolinaHe lost his All-America linebacker (Jasper Brinkley), has replaced his starting quarterback, and is using smoke and mirrors to mask a still developing offensive line. Even so, his team is finding ways to win, and after beating Georgia and Kentucky, is in a prime position to win the East.
Best remaining conference game – Florida at South Carolina, Nov. 10Even though Steve Spurrier is several years removed from his time in Gainesville, this matchup still generates plenty of interest for obvious reasons. This year, it might determine the SEC East title. Considering the Gators are the defending national champions, the atmosphere for this game will be one of the craziest in a wild year in one of the year's most important games.
Team Mid-Season MVPs & Predictions East Florida – QB Tim Tebow
predicted wins: at Kentucky, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Florida Atlantic, Florida State
predicted losses: at South Carolina
predicted record: 9-3
South Carolina – DE Eric Norwoodpredicted wins: Vanderbilt, at Arkansas, Florida, Clemsonpredicted losses: at Tennesseepredicted record: 10-2
Before I start this prediction, I would like to note that my pre-season predictions on the 2007 Gamecocks season is thus far, Perfect. That is right, I picked the Gamecocks to win all that they have and I picked their only loss to be at LSU. Hopefully, my reign will continue.
On to Vandy.
Despite Vandy playing Georgia to the wire and losing on a last second field goal, they are not that good. Georgia is played down to Vandy (much like Carolina played down to UNC). With that being said, Vandy just does not have enough talent to hang with Carolina.
Prediction: Carolina 38 Vandy 14.
As a side note, is it just me or is this the most perverted university logo ever?
I am sure the usually anti-gamecock folks over at CFB News hated writing this one up.
Kentucky (5-0) at South Carolina (4-1) 7:30 PM ET ESPN
Why to Watch: If Kentucky is going to change the college football world as we know it, it's going to have to reverse history week after week. Over the next three weeks, the Wildcats have to deal with home games against LSU and Florida, along with the trip to South Carolina, as it tries to beat the Gamecocks for the first time since 1999, having lost seven straight in the series. UK QB Andre Woodson is playing as well as anyone in America, with the Heisman talk starting to flow after a red-hot start. The Wildcats have won six straight, they're only 1-0 in SEC play, beating Arkansas, while South Carolina has come up with the tough win at Georgia, battled LSU, and beat Mississippi State. This is a great team, playing through big injuries and a quarterback benching to be a true contender for the SEC title. With North Carolina and Vanderbilt coming up next, USC needs this win to likely be 7-1 before dealing with the meat of the schedule.
Why Kentucky Might Win: Kentucky could simply outbomb its way to the win. South Carolina's offense is improving, but it's not going to go on any big runs, and it's not equipped to hang around in a firefight. UK hasn't scored fewer than 40 points in any game this year, while South Carolina hasn't scored more than 38 in any game. Defensively, lost in USC's good start has been the struggles against the run, made worse with the loss of LB Jasper Brinkley. UK is known for its passing, but it's just as effective running the ball, while the mediocre pass protection won't have a problem against the non-existent USC pass rush.
Why South Carolina Might Win: The secondary is the real deal. Fine, so USC's number one ranking against the pass is partly a function of everyone running the ball on the occasionally porous defensive front, but the secondary isn't allowing anything. Georgia's Matthew Stafford struggled with his consistency, and LSU basically ignored the pass to pound away with several options. On the other side of the ball, UK can't stop the run. The D line is the Achilles heel, getting a minimal push into the backfield, and getting run by far too easily by Louisville, Kent State and Arkansas. That means ...
Who to Watch: Cory Boyd and Mike Davis should have huge games, as long as they're healthy. Boyd suffered a sprained knee against Miss State, while Davis suffered a leg injury. They're both expected to go, and they have to be effective to keep the clock rolling, keep the chains moving, and keep Woodson off the field. Also needing to come through with a big game is QB Chris Smelley, the young star who threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, taking over the reins from an ineffective Blake Mitchell. Smelley doesn't have to outplay Woodson, but he has to limit his mistakes and take advantage of a UK secondary that'll load up the safeties on the line to stop the run.
What Will Happen: Woodson will look like a Heisman candidate at times, but he won't have enough big moments to overcome the 300 rushing yards the South Carolina offense will crank out. Smelley will make a nationally televised announcement that he'll be a player in the SEC race for the next few years.
CFN Prediction: South Carolina 34 ... Kentucky 30 ... Line: South Carolina -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 4
MISSISSIPPI STATE'S RECORD: 3-1
For what I am about to say, I will be made fun of. I know that. People will use any excuse to discredit me. Hell, I can't even believe I am about to say it… but here it goes.
South Carolina will upset LSU this weekend. Yep. You read that right.
On paper it seems as if I am just absolutely nuts right? Maybe I am. For some reason I just feel it.
I predict the score this weekend will be S Car 24 LSU 17.
2007 PREDICTIONS...
Huh? 2007? Yep. 2007... Already? Yep. Already.
This is all way too early and just based on what I know now. This may change in the next 9 months but I figured I would share my initial thoughts in looking at the schedule.
*= Home game.
9/1/2007 - Louisiana-Lafayette* WIN
9/8/2007 - Georgia - WIN
We will be much better than Georgia next year.
9/15/2007 - South Carolina State* - WIN
9/22/2007 - LSU - SWING GAME
9/29/2007 - Mississippi State* - WIN
10/6/2007 - Kentucky* - WIN
Do not get caught up in the hype... Kentucky is still Kentucky.
10/13/2007 - North Carolina - WIN
New coach... same PLAYERS.
10/20/2007 - Vanderbilt* - WIN
Vandy will be improved but not quite there yet.
10/27/2007 - Tennessee - SWING GAME
11/3/2007 - Arkansas - SWING GAME
11/10/2007 - Florida* - WIN
Leak will be gone and Tebow will be the starter. Next year Meyer will be exposed for the fraud he is.
11/24/2007 - Clemson* - WIN
Yes. You heard it first. South Carolina will beat Clemson in back to back seasons. Why? Will crapped Korn is not a god. He will not walk in and save this team.
So there you have it... 9 wins off the bat and 3 swing games but... only one of them is in the SEC EAST. If we beat Tennessee... we win the east... then it is just a matter of beating our opp in the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP.
-The Cool Chicken
The Cool Chicken’s 2006 Gamecock Football Prediction
Wow! It is almost kick off time once again! We are just under a month and a half before the Garnet and Black take the field and commence to kicking SEC a**. This year the expectations are high. And why not? Last year the ole ball coach pulled out some ole ball magic and guided South Carolina to a very respectful season. South Carolina won all the games they were supposed to and two they weren’t. Among those two was a nail biting heart pounding down to the wire slug fest against none other than Spurrier’s ole nemesis Fat Phil (that is Phil Fulmer for those of you who do not have hate in their heart). The other was a never in question beautiful masterpiece of a game in which the Gamecocks soared up and down the field on a dazed and confused Florida team. In addition to these wins, the Gamecocks rolled off five consecutive SEC wins. A feat never before accomplished by a Gamecock squad. Although the year ended in somewhat of a downward spiral with losses to the troglodytes from the upstate and unbelievable loss in the Indy bowl, most of the Gamecock nation was still very excited with what the team accomplished. I am one of the Gamecock faithful who feels Spurrier deserves three small golden star stickers stuck to the top of his playbook. So… there is good reason for the Cock fans to feel a little anxious and excited about this upcoming season.
However, lest we forget the sins of our forefathers… we shouldn’t get too cocky. We have a tough road to travel before we will be a national powerhouse. While the soft part of our 2006 schedule is well… soft, the hard part is fingernail splitting painful.
Let’s begin… shall we?
August 31st – Mississippi State – Starkville Mississippi
Sylvester… Sylvester? Are you coaching? Mississippi State has issues. Long dormant and subservient, the trend doesn’t seem to be changing. MSU should be better than they were last year… I can’t even complete that sentence with out laughing.
Prediction: Gamecock Win.
*Note – College Football News chose this as a key game for Mississippi State
September 9th – Georgia – Columbia South Carolina
Ouch. Payback is a beyotch. Georgia barely escaped with their lives IN GEORGIA last year. Out gained, out gunned and out played they still found a way to win which of course is part Georgia’s legacy. That is going to change this year. South Carolina is a little bit better and Georgia is a little bit worse. No David Greene. No DJ Shockley. I expect this one to be a very close game but as a Gamecock fan, I have to believe Carolina will pull it out.
Prediction: Gamecock Win
*Note – College Football News chose this as a key game for both South Carolina and Georgia
September 16th & 23rd – Wofford & Florida Atlantic – Columbia South Carolina
The next two games are fillers. With the talent level being no where near equal, Carolina should pull out wins over both teams.
Prediction: Gamecock Wins
September 26th – Auburn – Columbia South Carolina
Auburn. Sigh. Auburn. I am counting this one as a loss. Still riding momentum from last year and the fuel called Kenny Irons revenge, I see Auburn coming in to Columbia hungry and leaving full. I do not think it will be a blow out like it was in 2005… but I am not sure it is going to be a nail biter. Of course like true Gamecocks, the team will fight and scratch and make it interesting at times but ultimately Auburn will be too much for them.
Prediction: Gamecock Loss.
*Note – College Football News chose this as a key game for Auburn
October 7th – Kentucky – Lexington Kentucky
Kentucky fried chicken? I don’t think so. Kentucky is still on their fast dissent into football obscurity and this year Carolina is going to really put it on them. I am not looking for a close game at all.
Prediction: Gamecock Win.
*Note – College Football News chose this as a key game for Kentucky
October 21st – Vanderbilt – Nashville Tennessee
This aint your father’s Vandy. Just kidding it is. Cutler is gone and Vandy will once again return to preferring to be known as an academic school and will pay no mind to what those “overgrown gargantuans” are doing on the field.
Prediction: Gamecock Win.
October 28th – Tennessee – Columbia South Carolina
Fat Phil is looking a little thinner these days. Of course, when the heat is turned up, you sweat a little and that can cause you to drop a ton of water weight. Tennessee was miserable last year and though they might turn it around this year… I do not see them turning it around enough to overcome the Darth Visor’s curse.
Prediction: Gamecock Win
November 4th – Arkansas – Columbia South Carolina
The Hogs are coming to town. Yee Haw! Does it get anymore country than the hogs versus the chickens? Barnyard dominance is at stake! While Arkansas should be improved, they have a lot to prove at Quarterback and receiver. With Stanley and Fred just itching to rip into some hash (the pork kind people!) this year, I have a feeling a weak QB and receiving corp. will have hell to pay.
Prediction: Gamecock Win.
November 11th – Florida – Gainesville Florida
Forget Florida and Georgia… this year the biggest outdoor cocktail party is going to be between The Cocks and Gaters. Come on… after the stomping Carolina put on the Urban legend, I am sure the Gators are just licking their chops in anticipation. Spurrier is going home for a long weekend and I am sure he will get a hero’s welcome. Still, I do think this year the Gator’s have a little more going for them than we do. It will be a close high scoring game… but I think playing in the swamp will have an effect.
Prediction: Gamecock Loss.
November 18th – Middle Tennessee State – Columbia South Carolina
Who?
Prediction: Gamecock Win. 
November 25th – Clemson – Clemson South Carolina
Clemson. I threw up a little in my mouth just then. It is almost impossible for me to say the word with out spewing. Clemson is supposed to be a power house this year. Of course, they were supposed to be last year and they do not have Charlie Whitehurst. Of course, A lot of people think this “Will Proctor” kid is the second coming while I think he is a just a small stain. He is unknown and in a complicated system. He will determine whether or not Clemson has anything going for them this year. This probably my only truly biased pick. I simply cannot bring myself to choose Clemson to win anything. Even in the ugly uniform contest, I don’t want them to win. So…
Prediction: Gamecock Win. (Clemson Sucks.)
There you have it… The Cool Chicken thinks the 2006 South Carolina Gamecocks are going to win ten games this year. The one thing I have noticed in reading up on other’s thoughts about this 2006 Carolina team is that they really do not know what to expect. College football news has them picked as Key games for MSU, UGA, Auburn and Kentucky. If it weren’t for the fact that they are late in the season games, I am sure they could have easily picked them for UT, Arkansas and Florida. They just are not sure what Carolina is going to do. I like that. I like the element of surprise. It’s good. It’s all good.
Final Prediction: Record – 10/2 + Bowl Game + SEC Title Contention?
-The Cool Chicken
