I have a friend, let’s call him Munson. Munson is a rabid UGA fan, and because his dad lives in Columbia and may or may not be a casual Gamecock fan (I’m not big into detail), believes he knows everything there is to know about our fan base.
We email a good bit, but actually speak only about a dozen times a year. One of those occasions is our annual preseason breakfast with two other big college football fans (Auburn, Wisconsin) to discuss our respective football programs and the outlook for the coming year.
When it comes around to me, like them I go into boring detail, position by position, schedule strength, staff changes, etc., and usually finish by telling the guys I’m cautiously optimistic we’ll make a run in the SEC East, but realistically we’re a 7-5, 8-4 kind of squad.
To this, Munson always says something along the lines of, “WHAT!?! A South Carolina fan who doesn’t believe you’re going to win the national title? I can’t believe it! I’ve never met a Carolina fan who didn’t think THIS was the year!”
To which my reply is “What Carolina fan(s) are you talking to? Seriously, I need to know so I can set them straight.”
At least that was my reply the first time. Over the years my reply has become more expletive laden and smothered in incredulity. Because, seriously, who and where are these fans of whom Munson speaks?
I’ve been aware of athletics at the University of South Carolina since about 1978. I’ve been what I would consider a die-hard fan since 1987, and am a proud 1991 graduate.
With the exception of the Golden Era from June 12, 2010 through June 29, 2010, my life as a Gamecock fan has been fraught with misery. With every one glimmer of hope came multiple doses of cold, hard reality. And it was a stunning, bizarro reality at times – see Navy, The Citadel, Coppin State, Richmond, 63-17, Louisiana-Lafayette just to name a few of the most painful. The point is this – I am optimistic by nature, but when it comes to Gamecock athletics my first inclination is to think the worst.
Which brings me to this blog, the brainchild of a gentleman you’ll come to know as T-bone. He’ll be joined by me, Buck, and the G-man to give what we believe to be a realistic look at Gamecock sports – the highs, the mediums and the lows. We’ll mostly focus on football, but will try to keep things going through basketball and baseball seasons.
We’ll sprinkle in some general college football ramblings, because after all it is the greatest sport known to man. We probably won’t comment too much on the new women’s softball coach or the swimming and diving teams. But we just might let you know about a new beer we’ve tried or a great movie we saw or a stellar new barbeque joint.
It’s a blank canvas right now, but we hope you enjoy what you read and will provide feedback on the content. After all, I’ve heard people who blog about sports become rich beyond their wildest dreams within the first year. I know I’m banking on that.
With that, I leave you with the greatest moment in the history of University of South Carolina sports.
-buck
The Rubber Chickens Blog 
Looks like this is going to be an awesome blog. Looking forward to following it throughout the season. Thanks, Kirk