Just because everybody else does it, and we obviously have some spare time, TRC shares our gameday predictions for Southern Miss.

Buck says: USC 27-10.  This game will be reminiscent of NC State 2008, with a seriously sloppy first half and a couple of late scores to help us breathe easy.  Offensive stars will be Garcia, Lattimore and Jeffery (why yes, this limb is nice and sturdy, thank you very much), while the D will suffocate Southern Miss (I’m only giving them 10 points because I envision us giving them the ball in plus territory a couple of times.)  Other game notes:  Looking forward to Rece Davis calling the game, he’s 87% less smug than Chris Fowler; not looking forward to listening to the Craig James/Jesse Palmer color guy gigglefest; Buck beer consumption over/under – 7; G-man beer consumption over/under - 0.5; T-bone postgame alcohol level over/under – 0.11; Most common quote from a Georgia fan while watching us Thursday night – “Oh my gosh, we are going to KILL them.”

Tbone says: USC 31-3  Our offense may go in fits and starts at first.  However, I don’t see a Conference USA offense that returns only 4 starters (1  on OL) coming into our place and making much noise.  Matthews et al will smother the Mustard Buzzards (I’m gonna keep calling them that until it catches on).  Garcia will start, Shaw will get the 1st series of the 2nd quarter.  I look for Lattimore to make his mark on the swing pass twice, and for Gurley/Alshon/Moore to lead the charge for the receivers.  Craig “Derp” James will annoy us with his idiocy, Jesse Palmer will wear an awkwardly short tie.  Rece Davis will spend most of the game speculating on when Spurrier is retiring.  New ESPN sideline reported Jenn Whatshername will stumble at bit, but after a six pack of beer and a gamecock victory, I won’t even notice.  Most common quote from a Clemson fan while watching us on Thursday night – “I saw Kyle Parker in just his workout pants today ! OM-NOM-NOM-NOM-NOM!”

Gman says: USC 23-17.  The PappaJohns.toilet bowl game is too fresh for me to think we are suddenly going to light it up on offense.  Yeah, we have Lattimore and great receivers, but I believe these are pretty much the same receivers we had last year and we struggled mightily to score.  With a lot of returners on O, however, I think we will move the ball well between the 20’s.  This will result in opportunities for Lanning that he will cash in on.  I expect one boneheaded offensive play that sets up SM for an easy score.  The D will play well but struggle to create turnovers.  As is often the case with this kind of opponent, we will look like the better team by a wide margin, but the score will not reflect it.  I’ll be live at the W-B so I (thankfully) won’t hear the ESPN crew and their digs and snickers about our program.  Don’t be surprised if they continue their lovefest with UCLA pitchers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer (who didn’t even pitch!).  Will tailgate mightily – looking forward to hanging at my new spot.  I would tell you to come by for a beer, but, um, we’re, uh, probably not going to be there when you come by.  Dang!  Maybe next time.

Thank God for Football Season and Go Cocks!

A few links to get you ready for tonight’s game:

– Chock full of information you can use during the game to impress your friends: check out TRC’s A Southern Miss Primer!

– Our friends at Left Over Hotdog give some righteous pre-game analysis.

– Our other friends at Garnet and Black opine on the Southern Miss Defense.

-  Apparently, the greatest player in the history of college football wears the Mustard and Black

– Our NotFriend @CoachFedora (who refused to give us the courtesy of the return follow after we stalked followed him on twitter) nevertheless, looks like he’s got his head is in the right pregame place:

Just sayin’:

Historically, we have had some special moments, and some moments that were, shall we say, not so special.  When recounting days of yesteryear, we often forget that this underappreciated part of the game can have a HUGE impact.  First some positive memories:  Squeaky Watson’s two blocked punts in one game, Daniel Weaver’s Outback Bowl game winner, and Josh Brown’s bleeder over the crossbar at UT.  Negatives?  Oh, we’ve got plenty.  How about the multiple blocked kicks by Florida (perhaps my most painful moment as a Gamecock fan, right up there with the Push Off), the blocked extra point at Arkansas, and the blocked kick last year (and all the kick returns) at Georgia.  Here’s the best case/worst case for the special teams in 2010.

Placekicking

Best Case:  Spencer Lanning picks up where he left off last year and continues to drill the ball through the uprights.  Not only does Spencer maintain his consistency, but he adds range to his arsenal and booms some 50+ yarders that would make Ryan Succop proud.  Even our Tar Hole transfer gets to kick a few when Spencer’s leg gets tired.

Worst Case:  Most of Lanning’s kicks look like his first field goal attempt last year at NC State.  Putrid.  On top of that, Strickland has butterfingers as the new holder and we have to resort to going for it on fourth down.  We finally get a good hold and a straight kick in the Florida game, and some 7 foot walk on from the basketball team blocks the potential game winning kick-with his armpit.

Punting and Punt Coverage

Best Case:  Spencer improves his hang time and average, and drops about twenty kicks inside the five yard line.  The punt coverage team is so quick and hits so hard that the opposing coaches hardly ever put return guys back there.  In one rare case a punt return is attempted against us, DJ Swearinger pops the guy in the ear hole and knocks him into next week.  This conjures up memories of Shannon “Bodybag” Wadley and DJ becomes a legend.

Worst Case:  Last year happens again and we can’t cover a kick.  Shane Beamer is seen foaming at the mouth and ripping helmets (and heads) off on the sidelines.  We resort to the Lou Holtz soccer style punting method and the first punt hits the long snapper in the back resulting in a net punt of negative eight yards.  Based on our inability to punt or cover a punt, SOS starts going for it on 4^th down regardless of our field position.

Kickoffs and Kickoff Coverage

Best Case:  Joey Scribner-Howard is the second coming of Succop and launches kick-offs into the Student Section with regularity.  When Joey feels charitable, he kicks it short and lets the coverage team annihilate the return guy.  The kickoff team actually becomes a strength. 

Worst Case:  See above-last year happens.  The kicks are short and the returns are long.  Adam “Yikes” Yates gets another shot, but kicking it out of bounds to eliminate the risk of a big return becomes the preferred strategy.

Punt and Kickoff Return Teams

Best Case:  Culliver gets his mojo back and does what we all know he can do.  He pays back Georgia by returning a kickoff for a TD-our first since 2002.  He does it again against CTU, erasing all memories of a certain return against us last November.  Gilmore provides steady hands as the punt returner and channels his inner Deion on occasion.  Oh, and we actually block a punt.  Imagine that for a moment.  Let it sink in real good.

Worst Case:  Culliver’s shoulder acts up again and Sherm is left as the primary kick returner.  We’re lucky if we get it back to the twenty, and eventually start letting the ball bounce into the end zone in hopes of getting a touch back.

Overall

Best Case:  Lanning wins the Lou Groza award and kicks the winning field goal in the Sugar Bowl.

Worst Case:  We set the NCAA record for allowing the most kicks returned for TDs in a season.

November 21, 1987 was the day I became a Gamecock fan.  I don’t mean I started pulling for South Carolina.  I mean I became a FAN.

That was the night 12th-ranked South Carolina took on 8th-ranked Clemson in Columbia.  It was the highest combined ranking ever for the schools, and was the night game on ESPN (back when “game of the week” meant something).  I was a Freshman at South Carolina, and had seats in the student section about the 30 yard line.

It was a cold night, but the stadium was packed…and loud.  The 2001 entrance was legendary, and the game would turn out to be one of the most memorable Gamecock victories over Clemson.

Both defenses were tough that night, but South Carolina broke through on this play to Ryan Bethea (hat tip to Cockytalk).  When he split the Clemson defenders I just remember the entire student section going nuts.  When Bethea was brought down inside the ten, I looked down on the ground and the G-man was lying flat on his back in between the bleachers where he had fallen.  With no regard for his safety whatsoever, he looked up at me and screamed, “DID HE SCORE?!?”

He didn’t, but Harold Green did on the very next play.  The rest of the night will be remembered by all that were there because of the hauntingly slow chant of “RODDDD-NEEEEE, RODDDD-NEEEE”  directed at Clemson QB Rodney Williams, who took a beating of Biblical proportions that night.  Brad Edwards sealed the win with an interception return for touchdown late in the game.

I still have that game on VHS somewhere in a cardboard box in my basement.  I must’ve watched Ryan Bethea run with that football 1000 times, with the announcer (any help with who that is?) starting with the flat “Ryan Bethea” and then when the play breaks big the staccato “RY-an be-THEA, WILL GO…”  Even the announcer thought he was gone.

Ryan Bethea was essentially the Alshon Jeffery of his time.  A big guy, really big, with great hands and good speed.  I always had such high hopes that he would be the next Sterling Sharpe, but that never materialized.  Rumors swirled around campus that he was involved in some shady dealings, but nothing was ever confirmed to my knowledge.  He spent some time in an NFL camp or two, but never caught on.

I have no idea where Ryan Bethea is now, but I’d love to tell him that play made me smile each and every one of those thousand times I watched it.  And it still does.

Twenty-five days ago we had the idea to count down the days to the season using the jersey numbers of random, and not so random, former Gamecocks.  Here is a recap of 25 through 2.  Check back tomorrow for #1.

#25 – Mike Reddick; #24 – Tony Watkins; #23 – Terry Wilburn; #22 – Derek Watson; #21 – Zola Davis; #20 – Bobby Fuller; #19 – Troy Hambrick; #18 – Steve Taneyhill; #17 – Vic Penn; #16 – Jamacia Jackson; #15 – Matthew Thomas; #14 – Phil Petty; #13 – Erik Kimrey; #12 – Toby Cates; #11 – Rashad Faison; #10 – Blake Williamson; #9 – Todd Ellis; #8 – Teddy Crawford; #7 – Mike Rathe; #6 – Tommy Beecher; #5 – Dondrial Pinkins; #4 – Sidney Rice; #3 – Cory Boyd; #2 – Sterling Sharpe

First, let’s establish parameters for our analysis. When it comes to Gamecock defensive squads, Joe Lee Dunn’s Fire Ant Defense of 1987 is the gold standard (allowing a mere 12 points per game).  Conversely, the worst Gamecock defense of the modern era has to be Wally Burnham’s Heisman candidate creating machine of 1995 (with an unbelievable 36 points per game).  Even under a best case / worst case situation, I’m going to assume that those examples are the two extremes ( <====famous last gamecock words).

Defensive Line

Best Case:  Cliff Matthews motors through offensive linemen on his way to multiple post season awards.  Chaz Sutton learns from the master, and increases his own horsepower to match.  Devin Taylor makes us forget about  Clifton Geathers (actually, that will be fairly easy).  Travian’s knees hold out and opposing centers come to dread the sound of his breathing.  We all learn how to pronounce Olufemi Oladipupa Ajiboye, because Ladi asks us to (and you do what All-SEC D-tackles ask).  Melvin Ingram plays solid backup snaps.  Aldrick Fordham redshirts as our dominant DT of the future.  The cheer of “Geau Jerideau” takes off among the student body as our third string DT becomes a short-yardage specialist.

Worst Case: Brad Lawing goes full Wally and insists his boys are only there to eat up blockers.  Pass rush becomes nil.  Ladi becomes Doughty.  Matthews starts tuning his motor down to Sutton’s.  Travian hobbles through the year in pain and with little impact.  Devin Taylor reminds us each week of Clifton Geathers.

Linebackers

Best Case: Paulk, Wilson, Dickerson, Straughter, and Smith all sprout antennae and take on the determination and ferocity of the Fire Ants of old.   Shaq doesn’t lead in tackles this time around, instead he edges out Matthews in sacks.  Paulk takes his intensity level DOWN a notch and allows his body to survive a whole season.

Wally Case:  Shaq’s hamstring keeps him limited, Paulk blows out his lungs with his first great barbaric yawp of the season and takes the medical hardship waiver.  Dickerson struggles with the mental aspect of the job, and slows until he appears to have Burnham Wood (or Burnham’s son) strapped to his back.  Straughter’s name starts reminding us of speech impediments instead of bloody massacres

Spurs / Defensive Backs

Best Case: Demario Jeffrey, Devonte Holloman, and D.J. Swearinger become the Three Ds of D(estruction, ominance, efense, etc.) and shut down TE and FB around the league. Stephon plays like Stephon, i.e. you don’t notice him moving but he’s already making the play.  Culliver’s shoulders fuse into an anvil.  Auguste and Whitlock successfully navigate passed the numerous organic temptations out there in route to solid seasons.

Wally Burnham is a Tool Case:  Alonzo Winfield is forced to play numerous journeyman snaps (and for numerous reasons), including an entire series at Commonwealth Stadium as the spur, strong safety, and boundary corner simultaneously.  Stephon loses interest in football and decides instead to solve the Israeli/Palestinian issue (which he does, but no one even notices).

Overall

Best Case:  The 2010 defensive squad has the potential to better the 2009 edition, and could even challenge the Fire Ants in notoriety.  I expect, however, that the best case for 2010 is somewhat more in line with the 2009 squad, which means we can anticipate around a 18-19 ppg average.

Worst Case:  Georgia pounds the rock all day.  So does Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida and Clemson.  We give up a ton of yards on the ground, so our DBs don’t get to see much action, other than in clean up tackles.  A “Miss Me Yet?” bumpersticker with a photo of Tyrone Nix is seen floating around Columbia.

At the risk of offending many Gamecock fans, I submit to you…

Sterling Sharpe was the greatest South Carolina football player of all time.

There, I said it.  And I mean it.  And yes, I’m well aware George Rogers won the Heisman.  I didn’t have the benefit of seeing Big George play very much as I was 11 years old and only on the verge of beginning to realize my undying love for college football.  Plus, unfortunately there were no 24-hour sports networks to broadcast his exploits day and night.  Nonetheless…

I was a freshman at South Carolina when Sterling Sharpe was a senior.  I can assure you I’ve never seen a player quite like him in a Gamecock uniform, and I have my doubts I ever will again.  He had the ability to dissect defenses with his speed and ultra-smooth moves.  By the time he was a senior his work in the weight room had given him an additional element of power not many could match on the college level.  “Ellis to Sharpe” was a staple of every Gamecock’s vocabulary.

Sharpe was drafted in the first round by the Packers, and went on to be an All-Pro in five of his six seasons with the team.  In 1992 he broke the NFL single-season receptions record, and then for good measure broke his own record in 1993.

Sharpe’s career was unfortunately cut short by a severe neck injury suffered in 1994.  Had that injury not occured he would surely be an NFL Hall of Famer, and I believe he would be mentioned shortly after Jerry Rice in conversations about the greatest receivers of all time.

Sharpe caught a little flack last year for refusing to “unretire” the #2 and allow Alshon Jeffery to wear it.  Personally, I would be more concerned about a high school player who chooses his college based on the number he wears (which thankfully Alshon did not).  Sharpe’s loyalty to the university has been questioned on occasion because he doesn’t give us “shout outs” from his broadcasting gig, doesn’t hit the recruiting trail for us, and rarely shows up for USC alumni-type events.

That stuff really doesn’t bother me so much.  He’s my favorite Gamecock of all time, and I hope he’s the last #2 I ever see in a South Carolina football uniform.

Why let facts get in the way of a good story?  That’s evidently what every crackerjack reporter covering Whitneygate must be thinking.  Or maybe I’m giving them too much credit.  They may not be thinking at all.  In various stories we’ve read, the outstanding room balances could be deemed an “extra benefit” by the NCAA. What exactly is an extra benefit?  Well, here’s the definition, which frankly, was very easy to find (ever heard of Google?):

An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution’s athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Receipt of a benefit by student-athletes or their relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the institution’s students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body (e.g., foreign students, minority students) determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability (NCAA Bylaw 16.02.3)

A student-athlete may not receive a special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline tickets, clothing) or a service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) from an institutional employee or a representative of its athletics interests.

So, it turns out that the institution or an individual connected to the athletic interests of an institution must provide the benefit in order for it to be considered an “extra benefit.”  That’s interesting, as we at TRC don’t recall one instance where a reporter covering Whitneygate made the effort to actually match the facts to the definition.  Maybe the Whitney is owned or operated by a bunch of Gamecock Club members, or maybe not.  No one has made that connection.  By now, you would think that such a connection would have been uncovered and plastered all over the front page.  The fact that it has not is a pretty good indication that there is no connection, or that the reporters covering Whitneygate have no clue.