Buck says:  Carolina 27, Clemson 17. For the first time in a long time we go into this game with the better team.  I hear a lot about how Clemson is loaded with talent, and they very well may be, but it has not translated to the field.  Carolina has had its best season under Spurrier, and the team will get an extra game next Saturday as a reward.  There will be no looking forward for these Gamecocks, and they’ll get their first back-to-back victories over the Tigers in 40 years.  Marcus Lattimore will find the going tough against a good CTU defense, but the ‘Cocks will still control the clock with a short passing game and just enough of a ground game.  CTU’s inept offense will remain just that against a rejuvenated Carolina defense.  Then it’s on to Atlanta my friends.

UPDATE:  Tbone twice attempted to provide his prediction, but both times hooked it inexplicably to the left. #boisestate

Buck says:  USC 49, TSU 17.  That’s right, I’m all full of piss and vinegar this week.  Fresh off the SEC East Championship Game (official name BTW) victory and revisiting the Alabama victory via DVR has convinced me we are the best team in the SEC, nay, the country, and should have no trouble dispatching the Trojans.  (Do not kill my buzz by mentioning our three losses, who they were to, and/or the margin of loss.)  Seriously, I’m sure we’ll have a moment of Furman-esque struggle, but I really hope this team has seen the light and plays like a champion.

Tbone says: USC 38 Troy 18.  I can already hear the expectant groan from the Williams-Brice hoards as the Trojans roll right over the Cocks during the early stage of this hook-up.  I expect the Trojan protectors to significantly limit the penetration of our invading forces for a short time, but constant grinding will ultimately lead to a failure of the Troy defenses.  It won’t be over as quickly as many of us expect, but go ahead and imagine kittens or something during the rough parts, cause it will be a wonderful payoff!

Buck says: Arkansas 45, USC 42 – I hope I’m wrong, but the ingredients are in place for a loss, I just couldn’t decide how close it was going to be.  Even with Greg Childs lost for the season, the Hogs have plenty of weapons to put plenty of points on the board – Mallett, Adams, Wright, D.J. Williams – and a great good average below average ok, pathetic running game, but enough to keep defenses honest.  And if our defensive backfield hasn’t gotten better in a hurry, they won’t need a running game anyway.  I think we will be able to keep up, but one turnover could doom us in a “last team with the ball wins” type of game.  I don’t buy into the “this game doesn’t matter, we’re focused on Gainesville” rap, but it’s a nice excuse to have in our back pocket if things don’t go our way.  This would be a really nice win if we can pull it off.  Again, hope I’m wrong…

Tbone says: USC 33 Ark 27 – Buck is smoking Gainesville Grass if he thinks we can hang 40+ on . . . well, anyone.  Turnovers will be a factor in this game, but in SC’s favor.  I think the Sandstorm Troups make enough racket and the Dline gets enough push to be good for a couple of big Arkansas mistakes.  Add in our two automatics for 100 yards (don’t make me name them) and I think we withstand a late Razorback Rally.  Oh, and by the way, we are playing for something: an Arky wins gives the Chick-fil-a Bowl the excuse they desperately need to skip over us AGAIN.

Buck says:  USC 37, UT 20.  If there was ever a must win for South Carolina since joining the SEC, this is it.  Every scenario that leads to the SECCG starts with a win against UT.  A loss doesn’t mathematically eliminate the ‘Cocks, but realistically would be a mortal wound.  UT scares me, simply becuase they’ve been able to hang around with some pretty good teams for a while, and should’ve beaten LSU in Baton Rouge.  But the Vols are seriously depleted and demoralized, so I think we jump on them early and often.  Look for another big game from the offense, starting with the opening drive.  The defense needs a lock down performance to get their confidence up with Arkansas coming up next.  It will be good to see #21 on offense again, I’ve missed him so…

Tbone says: SC 38, UT 10. What Buck said, but with better D.  I think UT might score once in their opening couple of series, but look for Travian Robertson, Ladi Ajiboye and Devin Taylor to have big days from then on.  Notice a certain someone missing from that list?  So do I.   So. do. I.  Anyway, on offense I think Garcia is due some props on the national level, and this might the game for it to happen.  BONUS prediction:  two weeks is not enough to fix what’s wrong in Gainesville, UGa rolls.

Buck says:  USC 38, Kentucky 20.  This game is everyone’s upset special, and it has all the trappings:  USC coming off huge emotional victory, Kentucky in desperation mode, the ‘Cocks 10-game win streak over the ‘Cats (are we on borrowed time?).  What those calling for an upset don’t realize about last week’s win is this is a South Carolina team with a different attitude and a different talent level.  They’re going into Commonwealth like the SEC title is on the line, which in a way it is.  It won’t be easy, but I’m going to fight my usual pessimistic urges and say we win this one going away.  Once the Gamecocks settle in we’ll control the clock and continue our excellent work in the red zone.  The big three of Garcia (200+), Lattimore (100+) and Jeffery (100+) will all have big nights.  One more step towards the big showdown in Gainesville.

Tbone says: Gamecocks 35 Wildcats 24.  Why?  ‘Cause I like that score so much, that’s why.  I would also like to see the Kentucky run defense (last in the SEC) get a steady diet of Lattimore and Maddox (and maybe even Kenny Miles?).  Keeping the Kentucky offense, which has some punch, off the field is our best defense, so stick with the run, HBC.    A question that needs to be answered is whether the Wildcats lead the SEC in pass defense because they are that good, or because opponents don’t need to do anything but run to win.  Its gonna be cold road game (UK puts the visitors in the shade) which has bad pizza-related memories for me, but this still feels like a win going away.

G-Man says: USC 27-Kentucky 24.  Don’t know about you, but I’m ready for Randall Cobb to graduate.  Get ready to see a steady diet of the Wild Cobb tomorrow night.  I’m betting we counter with Marcus Marcus and more Marcus.  I’ve got the score a little lower because I suspect a lot of long drives, eating up the clock.  Like last week, I expect EJ to commit to stop the run.  If we can (and that means stopping Cobb), I like our chances.  Hartline is a decent QB but I don’t see him as a threat to burn us much down field.  We need another solid performance our of Garcia and a clean game-low penalties and turnovers.  I’m expecting us to play well but have a feeling that UK will make this very difficult.  We hold off a late rally to win-and quickly get the heck out of dodge.

Tbone says: Bama 31, The Other SC 16.  Much has been made of the loss of Eric Norwood, and its apparent that the defense suffers without him,  But this game will underscore the absence of another NFLer, Darian Stewart.  D-Stew brought a physical presence to our secondary run support that showed in big games like this one.  Look for our ground game to struggle against their stout dline, and Bama’s backs to roll over our underperformers.  What will still be a relatively close game in the 3rd quarter will come unravelled as we resort to throwing on every down.

Buck says:  Alabama 27, USC 9.  I wrote last week that this is the only game on the schedule we cannot win.  Knowing sports the way I do, I know that’s not true, because stranger things have happened.  But I can’t come up with a scenario that doesn’t involve miracles that results in us winning this game.  I think we’ll get out-muscled on both lines of scrimmage.  I see long, sustained drives by ’Bama, which will actually help keep us within striking distance for a while.  But like Tbone, I believe our inability to run the ball will rear its ugly head once again.  On the bright side, it should be a spectacular fall day, so enjoy it regardless of the outcome.

G-Man says:  Bama 30, USC 20.  Here we go, a shot at #1.  As Buck said recently, Bama is building a dynasty.  The dynasty in making rolls into Willy-B tomorrow.  Could this be a trap game as some have predicted?  Perhaps, but only with a perfect game by the Cocks and a sub sub par game by the Tide.  We need 3+ turnovers and a special teams TD (yeah, right).  As much as I’d like to see it happen, I have to agree with Buck and T-Bone that Bama will gradually wear us down with a relentless ground game and a stout D.  Too much Ingram.  Too much Richardson.  Too much O and D line depth.  As I see it, we are much better than we have ever been since joining the SEC, but the Tide is just too good.   Hope like hell I’m proved wrong about this one.

Buck says - USC 27, Auburn 23.  I really couldn’t have less of a clue about this game.  I have no feel for how good either team is at this point.  Two weeks ago I would’ve probably said Carolina wins and feel pretty confident about it.  But the dud against Furman has me worried.  Don’t give me the argument that it’s par for the course for us to play that way against SoCon teams (Wofford twice, S.C. State), because those seasons didn’t exactly turn out rosy.  It comes down to this – #5 for us has to play as well as or better than #2 for them.  Both defenses are going to make the quarterbacks win the game through the air.  We need Stephen Garcia to win this game for us.  So I’m shutting my eyes tight, crossing my fingers and saying he will.  Bonus prediction:  Marcus Lattimore gets at least 20 carries and less than 75 yards.

Tbone says – USC 28 Auburn 17.  Buck’s right, and Buck’s wrong.  He’s right in placing a big bullseye on Stephen Achilles.  Stephen’s play, on the road and in front of a hostile crowd, will be the biggest determining factor in this contest.  Few players telegraph their comfort level in a game more than Garcia.  If he gets uncomfortable, he hesitates.  If he hesitates, he gets down on himself.  If he gets down on himself, you might as well give the mouse a cookie, cause we’re in a spiral of shame  (I think its safe to say that Steven Orr doesn’t help in that situation, either).  That said, I look for Garcia to benefit from our newfound balance and manage the game effectively.  Where Buck is wrong is giving Auburn 23 points.  Unless we throw a couple of picks (see above), Malzahn and crew won’t get past the high teens on Ellis Johnson now that he has his full strength crew.  Oh, and I agree on Lattimore: Auburn will be keying on him all night long.

G-Man says-USC 21-20.  I am hoping the the flatness last week was due to the opponent and SOS’s desire to play it close to the vest.  We need to bring our A game, and them some, to the Plains.  While Garcia is an enigma, I do think his experience playing in hostile SEC venues is a plus.  Newton is still green and I expect EJ to bring it and bring it hard.  Expect some corner blitzes, but Culliver must wrap up instead of throwing the shoulder-otherwise Newton will bounce right off.  On O, we must stick with the run, even if AU stops us at first.  I don’t see us winning a game where the ball gets chunked a bunch.   The winning formula:  150 yards on the ground, one to zero turnovers on O, two or more turnovers on D, and tough red zone defense.  Going somewhat with my heart and predicting we do these things, and hold on for a narrow victory.

Buck says – USC 44, Furman 13.  I had a strong feeling that we were going to beat Georgia last week, and lo and behold we did.  This week, I have a strong feeling that we’re going to take care of business against Furman.  If this team is going to prove it’s different from the other Spurrier teams that got off to strong starts, it needs to dash any hopes of a Paladin upset early, and then not let up on the gas pedal.  Look for a much more balanced offensive attack, with something much closer to a 50-50 run/pass ratio.  Lattimore will get 20 touches, but not much more.  Garcia needs to be solid and build some confidence heading into next week.  I don’t expect Furman to move the ball much against our defense.  Ellis Johnson will have those guys ready.  Don’t be surprised if we have a rough go of it in the first quarter, but we’ll get it in gear before halftime.

Tbone says – Carolina 55 Furman 17.  I guess I can bring a little Paladin perspective to this contest.  The average FU fan likes Bobby Lamb a great deal.  He’s an alum, a former starting quarterback, and loyal coach, but its clear to all that he’s no Dick Sheridan, Jimmy Satterfield, or Bobby Johnson.  He’s solid, but still a step down from those guys.  In much the same vein, this year’s edition of the Purple and White is solid, but a step down from the teams of old.  Coach Spurrier has all but stated he plans on hanging fifty on someone this year, and this is his best 2010 chance.  The first couple of series may feel awkward, and we may start asking ourselves some old familiar questions, but things will settle in pretty quick.  Oh, and my score contemplates a late Furman TD.  Now I just hope Dr. Smolla doesn’t revoke my diploma for predicting an embarrasing loss.

G-Man says-USC 35 Furman 16.  I’m not ready to declare this a different sort of USC team just yet.  We have a terrible habit of playing down to our competition and I expect that to occur in the first half tomorrow.  As we have seen around the country, nothing is a gimme anymore.  Unfortunately, I remember the 1982 game, and a bunch of other embarrassing losses, very well.  Let’s hope I’m dead wrong and we steamroll FU from the opening kickoff.  After all, that’s what we should do.   I expect us to move guys into the box and make the Paladins chunk it.  If this happens, we should be well on the way to victory early on.  If they can run on us, expect a score close to my prediction.  As for the offense, we should have a field day on the ground.  SOS will likely take some chances in the passing game and get Shaw some snaps.  If the air attack starts rounding into shape, maybe we can put this one away early and coast in the second half.   But please………..don’t make this a repeat of the last game against Wofford.  My hope is that Coach Beamer has put the team on major upset alert after seeing what happened to daddy’s team last weekend.

Tbone says:  USC 27, UGa 16.  Tough one to pick.  Most of the logical factors point to a Gamecock victory:  Their top playmaker is out, we return a ton of starters, they are breaking in a new defense, we’re at home, their QB has zero quality experience, etc.  With that said, the history of this rivalry is so full of bizarre kicks to USC’s gut, that muscle memory cramps up my stomach just for thinking that way.  Look for Richt to call a conservative contest with a lot of runs and short passes; not because of Redshirt Frosh QB Murray, but because that is how Mark rolls.  The Gamecock runstoppers will need to play tough.  Look for Carolina to struggle on offense from time to time as we adjust to the angles of defensive attack.  In the end, however, I think USC pulls away after halftime adjustments [CRAMP] and survives [CRAMP] a late Dawg rally.  [Whew].

Buck says:  USC 26, UGA 21.  I’m highly annoyed with a large percentage of my co-workers and have a perpetual pit in my stomach.  Must be Georgia week.  I agree with a lot of what Tbone says.  Without their primary vertical threat, I see Bobo dialing up a lot of slants, screens and dump-offs to keep Murray comfortable and compliment a pretty stout running game.  The UGA fullbacks and tight ends worry me the most, because they have two quality guys at each position, and I’m not sure we have the linebacker play to keep them in check.  First and second down when the ‘Dogs have the ball will be the key to the game.  We need to keep them in third-and-long situations to have a chance.  As far as the UGA defense, I have no idea.  If not for one busted play, they keep LaLa in double digits for total yardage last week.   But then again, it was LaLa.  We have more weapons than we’ve had in a long time, and I think the playbook will be wide open.  Look for a balanced attack with significant offensive contributions from about five or six guys.  We hold them off late for the win, and are halfway to an undefeated showdown on the Plains.

G-Man says:  USC 24 UGA 23.  I hate this game.  All I can think about is Harold Greene and Andrew Pinnock fumbling inside the five yard line to lose games against these jackwagons.  How about another Quincy Carter repeat?  That was one sweet victory.  Don’t know if we could be so fortunate again as to have one guy make that many boneheaded mistakes against us.  As for the game…I expect another contest that goes down to the wire.  Expect UGA to blitz Garcia on every play.  We will  need quick decisions from the QB to win.  For us, expect a strategy built around short passes to the wideouts.  I hope we can run the ball but expect us to pass to set up the run.  Methinks EJ held something back and will dial up some surprises for Mr. Murray.  I share Buck’s concern that our LB’s are not up to handling their RB’s and TE’s.  Need Cliff Matthews to come up big with pressure and need a solid game from the D-Line.  Have to win the return game as it killed us last year.  I’m predicting one explosive play from the Cocks in this area.  With the veterans we have and this being a home game, I’m predicting Lanning wins it for us late with a dagger field goal.

Play of the decade for the Gamecocks, and Exhibit A as to why I love college football.