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

But he doesn’t know the Carolina-Clemson rivalry.  Here is his prediction for our game:

7.  South Carolina at Clemson: South Carolina is not going to overextend itself because the SEC championship game with Auburn is coming up next week. Marcus Lattimore gets the ball less than 10 times and the game is close. South Carolina 17, Clemson 10.

I have no problem with the final outcome, of course, but “South Carolina is not going to overextend itself”?  Lattimore gets it less than 10 times?

Puh-leeeeze.  Time to start paying a little more attention Tony.   

So it’s Rivalry Week, and it’s got me thinking.  I’m looking forward to the big game of course, and am hopeful for a Carolina victory.  But I’m not looking forward to our family Thanksgiving meal this year, and for good reason.

You see, about half of my family are Clemson fans.  I know, it’s shocking, but it sort of makes sense given the clan from which I hail.  You see, my first cousin is currently in jail for (allegedly) shooting a guy, and I’ve got an uncle (by marriage) that died with a half-empty bottle of Thunderbird in his hand.  Both big Clemson fans.  And then I’ve got this other cousin.  About my age. Never married.  He wears orange and purple tee-shirts all the time (in the fall he dons matching sweatpants, in the spring he starts coupling the shirts with ragged blue jean shorts). 

This guy is ruining my Thanksgiving, and it hasn’t even started yet.

As in years past, he will start in on the Clemson nonsense before the turkey is even carved.  You know the stuff of which I speak; the totally one-sided, impervious to reason, excuse-riddled grandiose bull droppings that only come from the madly loyal, yet totally ignorant, fan.  And while most of my relatives will try to focus the dinner conversation on family news (that one guy is in jail, for crying out loud) Tee-Shirt Boy will not be deterred.  It’s all gonna end in a stupid argument, and it’s not good for family harmony or our collective digestion.

So I’d like to propose something:  Let’s move the Clemson-Carolina game to a different date.  Maybe one not associated with the forced-spending of time with educationally-challenged relatives.  I know it’s been discussed in the past, Coach Spurrier even mentioned the idea of moving it to the first game of the year in his press conference the other day. 

Put me down with the HBC on this one, but not necessarily at the first of the year.  See, my family has a big end-of-summer cookout each year, and that would only move the Tee-Shirt Boy problem around on the calendar.  Solves nothing, really.

I want to move the game back to Big Thursday. 

For those of you not familiar with the term, Big Thursday was the date of the Clemson-Carolina game until 1959.  It was the Thursday during the annual State Fair, and it brought the state’s biggest sporting event (sorry, Darlington) into the State’s biggest carnival, exposition,

and food fest.    The problem was it was always a home game for the Gamecocks, so the Orange and Purple crowd brought pressure through the General Assembly and had the tradition abolished.

Now I’m not advocating that the game always be played in Cola-town again.  No, that would only happen every other year.  In those years where the game is being played in Clemson, we can all treat it just like we do now – as an educational and historical trip into the setting of the James Dickey novel, Deliverance.  

But on those other years, those State Fair years, the game would take on a festival-like atmosphere, with fun for more than just football fans.  A side benefit would be that the visiting Clemson faithful could enjoy tailgating fare of funnel cakes and turkey legs – trust me when I say this would be a HUGE upgrade from their usual meals.

But I keep thinking about the fair rides – those dangerous, rickety, operated by connoisseurs of methamphetamine, fair rides.  Those things are death-traps, really.  A fatal accident waiting to happen.

It’s those rides that have got me thinking:  I’m pretty sure I could get Tee-shirt Boy to ride one.

Since this is Thanksgiving week, and we are heading into two of the biggest weeks in the history of South Carolina football, I came up with a list of a few things for which I am thankful:

THIS football season - Carolina is 8-3 and heading to the SEC Championship Game, having beaten Georgia, #1-ranked Alabama, and Florida in the Swamp with the division on the line.  I can’t help but think things are either about to go papajohns.com Bowl bad or the Apocalypse will occur on December 4 just as Marcus Lattimore is crossing the goal line for the winning touchdown against Auburn.  (Hi, my name is Buck, and I’m a South Carolina fan.)

#1 and #21 - Tell me, when have we EVER had two skill guys of this caliber on the same team?  Spare yourself from cracking open the media guides, the answer is never.  Both of these guys will be first team all-SEC.  Jeffery should be first team All-American, and Lattimore could sneak onto some third teams with a strong finish.  The good news?  You already know what the good news is.  But if not, check out the preseason magazines next year and you’ll figure it out.

Offensive and defensive lines - Look, I’m not one of these guys who can tell you how each O-lineman graded out after the game.  All I know is Garcia has time to throw and Lattimore has room to run.  On the other side, our guys are stuffing the run and are one of the national leaders in sacks.  Is there room for improvement?  No question.  But gone are the days when we can’t compete because we don’t have SEC-caliber linemen.

Stephen Garcia - Four years ago I would’ve bet against him ever taking a snap at South Carolina.  Now, after three tumultuous, roller coaster years where he has been beaten up and beaten down, I can say I’m glad #5 is leading this team into battle each week.  He’s still going to make a boneheaded play or two on occasion, but he’s also going to stand tall in the pocket and make some good decisions and some good throws.  (Go back to the third quarter of the ‘Bama game after they had cut the lead to 7, and his third down completion to Tori Gurley with Marcel Dareus about to drive him into the ground.  THAT is the guy I want under center.)

Steve Spurrier - The guy has succeeded in making me a believer, an unbeliever, and then a believer again.  Thanks coach. 

Connections - A ticket to the SEC Coaches Luncheon?  Check.  Two tickets to the SEC Championship Game?  Check.  Tickets to the Chick-fil-a Bowl if we happen to get the invite?  Check.  It’s good to be me.  (Disclaimer: actually I just have one connection, but to protect my identity, I am unable to reveal his or her name.) 

High expectations - I have had thoughts of 2011, so sue me.  As a fan I have the luxury of not having to take it “one game at a time”.  So I’m thankful that I’ll get to poke my chest out next summer as all the pundits pick us to win the East again.  I’m thankful that when someone asks me about the 2011 season I won’t have to say “welllll, mayyyybeeee, if some breaks go our way…seven, eight wins?”  No sir, the sky is the limit.  And if it doesn’t work out, so be it.  But I’m going to enjoy the ride. 

And be thankful for it.

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!