Life of a Gamecock Fan

Hey Folks...

2011-01-14T19:07:00.002-05:00

Just in case you are still visiting the blog, be sure to head to the new website for Life of a Gamecock at www.lifeofagamecock.com.

I haven't updated the blog lately as my focus is on the website and to try and get everyone headed to the new and improved site. Everything is in a better format and certainly gives a better look when trying to find all your Gamecock news.

Be sure to follow me at Twitter at Lifeofagamecock and also like the new Facebook Fan Page as well for Life of a Gamecock.

Thanks for reading!

1/6 WHBK Radio Appearance

2011-01-06T17:57:00.000-05:00

Today I opened up the new year with another edition of 1460 WHBK The Team's College Football coverage just moments ago. Chris Kelly had me on his show again as his college football insider and we discussed some of the bowl games we thought were interesting so far. We also discussed the Auburn vs. Oregon matchup for the BCS National Championship. If you follow me on Twitter you might have seen my Tweet about the show on where to listen live but if you don't then that's okay. If you'd like to hear my thoughts from tonight's show then be sure to listen below in this embedded player. Be sure to start about the 3:30 mark when the show kicks in.

USC Welcomes The Dixon Brothers

2011-01-04T21:22:00.000-05:00

Gerald Dixon from South Pointe in Rock Hill, South Carolina and Gerald Dixon Jr. from Northwestern in Rock Hill, South Carolina officially announced their commitments to South Carolina just a few moments ago.

The Dixons become the 27th and 28th verbal commitments for South Carolina's 2011 recruiting class. Dixon from South Pointe checks in at 6'2" and 235 pounds. Dixon Jr. from Northwestern stands 6'2" and weighs 246 pounds. Both are pretty big boys already and I would fully expect one to move inside and play defensive tackle at some point in the near future. Dixon from South Pointe lined up at defensive end opposite of Jadeveon Clowney and benefited greatly from his presence on the field.

These guys are all from the same area and have built up a friendship with one another. Being able to pick up these quality defensive lineman now and hopefully get them on campus to grow and blossom will be a blessing for USC. A redshirt year could benefit both greatly and I think you can afford to do that with both Dixons.

Welcome to USC guys.

Don't forget to check out Life of a Gamecock for more articles and updates.

McEvoy Down To Final Two

2011-01-04T21:21:00.001-05:00

It's getting closer and closer to National Signing Day and another USC target has cut his list and is much closer to making a decision.

USC and UNC have made the final cut for QB Tanner McEvoy from New Jersey according The Big Spur. McEvoy just finished up his first year playing quarterback at his high school and showed off the athletic ability that led USC to start recruiting as a QB instead of another position. He's talented enough to be a great wide receiver in college but both schools like his ability at QB especially on the run.

McEvoy previously had Michigan and Rutgers on his list but is no longer interested in those two. Miami started recruiting him again when new coach Al Golden took the job but he's unlikely to return any interest. USC and UNC have the best shot right now and expect McEvoy to land at one of those schools. He's got some family connections to Columbia and USC I believe and GA Mangus is recruiting McEvoy for USC so they have the edge right now. He will most likely be your QB prospect in this class outside Martay Mattox, who will end up at defensive back if QB doesn't work out.

Don't forget to check out Life of a Gamecock at it's new location. Be sure to click the link for more.

Life of a Gamecock Fan is Moving!!

2011-01-02T23:04:00.003-05:00

Don't worry folks. I'm not moving to Alaska.

I've decided it was time to upgrade the blog in hopes of attracting more readers and to get a more professional look. I'm also secretly hoping this could turn into a career at some point but for now I'm just happy to have this hobby of mine shared with all the different people that visit the blog and will hopefully visit the new website. I purchased my own domain name so now everyone can visit Life of a Gamecock at http://www.lifeofagamecock.com. I've got all kinds of options with the website and can essentially customize it any way I want to. I can do social media stuff, message boards, comments, email address, etc. You name it and I can probably do it.

I'm looking to make an overall better option for Gamecock news and updates for all you fans. There are no ads or anything right now to clutter the site and not sure if there will be in the future. I hope everyone has enjoyed what I've done so far because now I've thrown a little bit of money into it. It's not a lot but I think it's worth it.

So be sure to visit Life of a Gamecock and check out some of the new articles up tonight as the site is live. I'll try to keep up with the blog as well so people can make sure to get all the news they need. Thanks for reading and be sure to message me with any suggestions for the new site.

Maryland Hires UCONN's Edsall

2011-01-02T23:02:00.001-05:00

Maryland decided not to mess with the Pirate. The Terrapins have decided on Conneticut's Randy Edsall as their new head coach to take over for recently fired Ralph Friedgen. Edsall just finished his season with UConn last night as the Huskies lost to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl 48-20. It's an accomplishment for a program that has only been in FBS Division 1-A football since the year 2000. Edsall has guided the Huskies for the past 10 years as has accomplished tremendous success as it was only a matter of time before he ended up at a bigger football school. Maryland just completed a 9-4 season with a victory in the Military Bowl.They return a talented quarterback in Danny O'Brien and should be able to continue building on this fine 2010 season.

I mentioned the Pirate because Mike Leach was apparently the front-runner for this position but the administration felt it needed to go a more conservative route for it's next head coach. Leach is certainly a character and has some off-the-field issues to contend with but he certainly would have brought some offensive firepower to the ACC. Leach will still be available and will more than likely garner some more looks down the road. Pittsburgh just opened up...again.

Randy Edsall is a good hire for Maryland and will be one of the most respected members of the ACC. He's handled himself extremely well and should be successful in Maryland.

Lattimore OK After Bowl Injuries

2011-01-02T22:59:00.000-05:00

Marcus Lattimore suffered injuries in the first series of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl that caused the star running back to miss the rest of the game. Lattimore picked up a key 3rd down conversion on a 53-yard pass play from Stephen Garcia on a wheel route that ended up deep into the Florida State territory. 3 plays later on 3rd down, Lattimore caught a swing pass from Garcia and was hit right under the facemask area by Greg Reid of FSU and fumbled the ball for the first time this season. Lattimore's head banged against the turf in the Georgia Dome and was briefly knocked out before being helped off the field.

Lattimore's injuries were confirmed to be a slight concussion and a mouth injury that required some stitches. He was examined at the hospital but later released and was home with his family in Duncan, South Carolina.

Lattimore led South Carolina with 1,198 yards rushing and 17 rushing touchdowns. He also pitched in with 2 receiving touchdowns for a total of 19, 1 short of the SEC freshman record of 20.

Royster Might Drop Final Visits

2011-01-02T22:57:00.001-05:00

PalmettoSports.com has a new article up on DB Sheldon Royster and the potential final official visits he may skip. Royster has scheduled visits to North Carolina and Michigan set up in January but it appears he may skip out on those visits. This seems to fall in line with what's been out there the past few weeks that this was essential a USC/Rutgers battle for this top defensive propsect. Royster has several connections to Rutgers with some friends and teammates looking to go there and he's from New Jersey. It makes a lot of sense for him to stay at his hometown team but South Carolina has done a fantastic job with Royster and selling him on everything that USC has to offer.

Royster would be afforded almost immediate playing time. The USC secondary struggled greatly in 2010 and needs an influx of new blood to help solidify a once dominant part of South Carolina football. I also think Royster has a better chance at championships at USC compared to Rutgers. USC won the SEC East and made it to the SEC Championship Game this year. The team returns a lot of talent in 2011 and is already expected to be a repeat contender for next season. Royster would help add more playmaking ability at the DB position and further increase the talent level on campus.

There are both positives and negatives to both schools in this battle but I'm thinking Royster will eventually choose USC. It appears a decision may come soon so USC could stand to gain a commitment from Royster in a few weeks. GA Mangus recruits up north heavily and should definitely be given some thanks if Royster comes down south. Look out for this story to unfold here in the next few weeks and we'll be sure to pass along any update we come across.

Royster considering dropping final visits

By Phil Kornblut

A source close to DB Sheldon Royster of Jersey City, NJ said earlier this week Royster was thinking about not taking his scheduled official visits in January to Michigan and North Carolina. That would leave him with a decision between USC and Rutgers, two schools he has visited. Royster is playing in the Chesapeake Bowl in Maryland this week, and he confirmed to the website ScarletNation.com that he's not sure he'll make the January trips. The report indicated Royster could have a decision sooner than later, perhaps as soon as this weekend, though Royster would not give a specific date for an announcement.

Gurley To The NFL

2011-01-02T18:56:00.002-05:00

Tori Gurley is headed to the NFL after all. Sources this morning had Gurley reconsidering his initial thought of going pro but then it was later announced that he would indeed end up going to the NFL. The reasoning for Gurley is two-fold it seems. The first reason is Gurley wants to help his mother financially. I don't know of his family situation but it's certainly a legit reason. The other reason that has come out is Gurley had a frustration with his role in the offense. I understand being frustrated at times with his role but you also have to perform and step up. USC was reliant on Alshon Jeffery as he was the only receiver who showed any consistency for the Gamecocks this season. Gurley had a big game against Vanderbilt but just was non-existent in most others. Maybe it was Garcia's fault for keying in on Jeffery but if you don't get open and make the catch then you won't be involved.

I can't fault Gurley for going pro. It is his decision and he's a grown man. This isn't your typical sophomore. He's 23 years old and went through a lot to end up at South Carolina. I just think both sides would benefit from another season. Gurley isn't going to be on many draft boards. I honestly think he will be lucky to be drafted. He's got the physical attributes but without the statistics to back it up, the scouts will question whether he will be worthy of a draft pick. The other side is USC certainly needs his talents on the field next year. He's an established and experienced receiver who will be in this system for another year on a team that should compete to be SEC East division champions again. A big performance next season would boost Gurley's draft stock.

Lets all wish Gurley the best of luck. He's been a good ambassador for the program and has done what's been asked of him. I wish he would stick around buut he's decided its best for him and his family to move on. Good luck to Gurley in the NFL. I hope someone will take a chance on this fine young man.

What To Watch For: Florida State

2010-12-31T08:38:00.004-05:00

Florida State has made it's return to the national spotlight under first year head coach Jimbo Fisher. Fisher has guided the Seminoles to a 9-4 with a berth in the ACC Championship Game and now has them on the verge of their 10th win this season. All that stands in the way is our beloved South Carolina Gamecocks who have had a similar type season. They've got the same record and also played in the conference championship game. There are a lot of similarities between the two teams. Tonight we'll find out if one team finishes the year on a high note and the other goes home a loser. Let's take a look and see if we can find a few things to watch for against Florida State.

Which FSU QB Can Hurt USC?
-This was discussed on this blog a bit earlier but it still is an important piece of this football game. Christian Ponder was declared ready to play against South Carolina by his head coach and he'll provide the air attack for FSU. He's completed 62% of his passes with 20 touchdowns to only 8 interceptions. He's got the knowledge of the offense and the experience to lead the Seminoles. He makes the most of his opportunities and limits his mistakes. He doesn't have a dominant receiver but has three solid options in Bert Reed, Taiwan Easterling, and Willie Haulstead. When he's in the game, he will be the main passing threat. The USC secondary will have to prepare for Ponder's throwing ability.

USC will also have to be ready when EJ Manuel steps into the game. He's going to get a shot to play because of Ponder's injury and if he does he has shown the ability make things happen with his feet. He had a big game against Clemson filling in for Ponder and rushed for 71 yards. This dual threat QB has given USC trouble in the past and certainly was hurt by Cam Newton this year. Manuel is no Newton though but he's got good size and speed and adds another dimension to the FSU offense.

USC has prepared for both QB's but we will have to see if they can execute their game plan and come away victorious.

Will the Real Garcia Please Stand Up?
-Stephen Garcia has had a fantastic season. He's really blossomed this year after a solid 2009 campaign. He's thrown for 2,851 yards with 20 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. In the big games he's really stepped up and played within himself. He's made plays when it's absolutely necessary but really got his playmakers involved and given them opportunities to lead the team to victory. An efficient Stephen Garcia is the best option for USC. Garcia has started the last two bowl games and Gamecock fans remember what happened. Garcia threw 3 interceptions in the first half in the Outback Bowl and he was 16-38 for 129 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception. These aren't the stellar performances USC needed to win those games. The good thing in Garcia's favor is he's got Alshon Jeffery and freshman sensation Marcus Lattimore. A renewed running game opens up this USC offense and it has given Garcia the ability to the lead the team effectively. USC will have to establish the run game and allow Garcia this opportunity like it has all year long. I think the FSU secondary can be attacked and I believe USC will have a QB who's ready to play.

Which Defense Will Bring The Pressure?
-These two teams can bring the pressure and bring it well. USC lead the SEC in sacks and FSU is tops in the ACC. Two of the best teams in the nation at getting to the quarterback will be on display tonight and whoever gets to the QB the most will have an advantage. USC will miss Garrett Chisholm at left guard with an injury so there's a spot to watch and see if Florida State can take advantage. FSU has had its share of injuries on the offensive line as well as they've started 6 different combinations there. South Carolina will look to attack with Devin Taylor and Melvin Ingram. Hopefully one of these Gamecocks or more will bring the pressure on Ponder and Manuel.

Final Thoughts
-I really think this will be a fun matchup for both teams and the nation will get an enjoyable game to watch as they get ready to celebrate the New Year. South Carolina has made a name for themselves this season and with the returning talent coming back next season should be among the nations best. A 10th win this season would cap off a special year for Gamecock fans and put it among the best in school history. Florida State is rebuilding the program under Fisher and is doing a great job recruiting this season. The turnover at Miami and Florida has given the Seminoles in edge in the state of Florida and I expect them to return to the top of the ACC and college football as early as next year.

Both teams need this win but only one can have it. I really think we will see a different South Carolina team than previous ones in the most recent bowl games and USC will come away victorious. How much the win is by I have no idea. This matchup should be close in the final score. I hope Gamecock fans are ready for tonight. This could go a long way towards the future.

I'll be traveling to Atlanta shortly so there likely won't be much posting today. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @lifeofagamecock to catch any updates from the road and some shots from inside the Georgia Dome. Everyone have safe travels and a Happy New Year! Go Cocks!

12/30 WHBK Radio Appearance

2010-12-30T17:54:00.003-05:00

Tonight was another edition of 1460 WHBK The Team's Sports Show in Marshall, NC with host Chris Kelly. It was a short edition and didn't quite catch all the radio coverage in the recording like normal but do have a little sample for you on some events like a bit of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, the Outback Bowl with Florida and PSU, and a few other things. It's not earth shattering news or anything like that but it's something to listen to if you get bored tonight or tomorrow.

Take a listen below:

As always, be sure to click the link above called "Radio and Podcast Links" to here previous shows from the last few months.

Gamecock Recruiting Updates

2010-12-30T11:30:00.004-05:00

This is a bit of a dead period for recruiting right now but there are still updates on some very important Gamecock targets for the 2011 recruiting class. Several players have been honored with player of the year status and are participating in some all-star games right now. Let's get things started with a JUCO recruit who's been on the USC board for a long time now.

Mackey has list down to three
By Phil Kornblut

DE Leon Mackey of Hinds JC, MS has cut his list to USC, Tennessee and Mississippi State. Mackey told Scout.com he's expecting coaches from all three schools to visit with him and his family at his home in Delaware before he returns to Hinds January 9th. He has visited USC and Tennessee and will visit Mississippi State January 14th. Mackey said he's dropped Texas Tech and Alabama from his list and will make his decision shortly after his visit to Starkville. He does not claim a favorite.

-Leon Mackey is all over the place at this point. Everyone should know his story and his up and downs when it comes to enrolling in college. Mackey is now down to 3 final schools. USC, Tennessee, and Mississippi State are all in the mix for Mackey at this point according to the update above. I feel like USC has essentially taken themselves out of the mix for Mackey due to tight numbers in recruiting right now and the question of whether Mackey will be able to enroll or not. He's not a January enrollee so he'll join the program with most other high school recruits. He's a talented and physical player who seems ready to play now but I don't envision him at USC at this point. I'd look for Tennessee or Mississippi State to win out for Mackey and don't look for him to sign with the Garnet and Black for a second time this February.

There's a potential new player for Clowney
By Phil Kornblut

New Florida coach Will Muschamp is trying to make the Gators a factor with South Pointe DE Jadeveon Clowney. Muschamp recently called Stallions coach Bobby Carroll and planned to make his one phone call of the dead period to Clowney. "He couldn't believe Florida wasn't more involved with Clowney," Carroll said. It may be too little, too late for Muschamp and the Gators, though Clowney does have one open weekend for a visit. Clowney had planned to go Florida State next week after playing in the Under Armour All American Game, but he and his mother will go to New York instead for an ESPN photo shoot. He will visit Alabama January 14th and Clemson on the 21st. He's undecided about the visit on the 28th. LSU, Florida State and Auburn are the three he's been considering, but Florida could jump into the mix. Clowney is no longer considering Ohio State. He made an official visit to USC in November. As far as a leader at this point, Carroll said Clowney hasn't told him of one, but from his own observations he has a good idea about one. "I'd say it's South Carolina," Carroll said. "They've had a great year, they need defensive ends, he's the best one in the country, and it's only 60 miles down the road. I thought (Stephon) Gilmore was going to Alabama and he ended up at South Carolina, so I'm just going by what I experienced there." Clowney does not plan to announce a decision until Signing Day.

-It's never good to see Florida get involved with your top prospect. Jadeveon Clowney is starting to pick up some interest from the University of Florida now that new coach Will Muschamp is involved. Clowney has shown the majority of interest in USC and Alabama and has had FSU, Clemson, and LSU in the mix at times. Ohio State was once involved but they won't be considered by Clowney now. Muschamp is a great defensive mind and certainly will have a little bit of time to get involved with Clowney and make an impact. At this point, I still believe that Clowney will choose USC as it appears he wants to stay close to home and play with some of players on the team and those that will be in the future. I think USC has shown enough to him this season that they can compete and be nationally relevant and a player of Clowney's caliber will be noticed from Day One.

Matias getting interest from Miami
By Eric Guimaraes

OL Josue Matias (6-5 300) of Union City, NJ was favoring USC, Rutgers, and Florida but has now added Miami to the list. "They called me and told me that Coach (Al) Golden was interested in me and I was pretty excited," said Matias. He has already taken official visits to Florida, North Carolina, and Wisconsin and has scheduled his visit to USC on January 14th. He says he is unsure if he will take a fifth visit, but if he does, it will be between Miami and Rutgers. Matias has received an in-home visit from Steve Spurrier and G.A. Mangus and says it went well. "They just told me how much they could use me there," he said. Matias does not have a time frame for his decision saying only, "when it feels right, I'll commit." He does not have a favorite.

-If USC lands another offensive lineman then Matias will be it. Josue Matias is a big time offensive line prospect from up north that looks to be leaning towards playing in the south. Matias has hometown Rutgers in the mix but he really seems destined to play in warmer weather and USC could be the landing spot. He's got an official visit set up in January as of right now and doesn't know for sure if he'll take another one after that. USC stands a good chance here but with the way the numbers are working out he may end up missing the boat. It's hard to pass up a big prospect like this but not sure USC can wait forever. A grayshirt offer may be thrown his way to enroll in January and we will see if Matias would want to do something like that.

Interesting news on 3 big prospects for South Carolina. I expect things to start heating up here in the next few days as we roll over into the new year and official visits pick back up. USC stands to land the Dixon brothers on Monday or Tuesday and that could get the ball rolling. Stay tuned for any late breaking news or commitments and we'll be sure to let you know.

College Football News

2010-12-30T10:57:00.003-05:00

Here are a few interesting stories from around the Internet today regarding some college football news.

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh declined Wednesday to talk about any future jobs, whether in the Bay Area or at Michigan. "I only talk about the job I have now," Harbaugh said when asked if he or his representatives had spoken to the 49ers about their coaching vacancy. ... Harbaugh has four years left on his current contract and a new deal on the table worth approximately $3 million per season, according to sources. But he has held off giving the school a long-term commitment. Asked when he planned to resolve his future, Harbaugh paused and said: "I don't want to put a timeline on it." Perhaps the hottest coaching name in football, Harbaugh is expected to be a candidate at Michigan, his alma mater, if the Wolverines dismiss coach Rich Rodriguez following their bowl game Saturday. (The cost of Rodriguez's buyout reportedly drops by $1.5 million if Michigan waits until Jan. 1 to fire him.)

San Jose Mercury News

While it is expected that Jacory Harris will start for Miami against Notre Dame, there is still time to evaluate the health of Stephen Morris. UM interim coach Jeff Stoutland said after practice Wednesday that [Morris'] sprained ankle was doing much better, and that an announcement as to the Sun Bowl starter would likely come by Thursday. ... "He's way better than we thought he would be," Stoutland said of Morris.

The Miami Herald

Washington had a 24-hour rule calling for the Huskies to forget a game after it passed. But once they learned they would play Nebraska again in the Holiday Bowl, the Huskies broke their own rule. That meant reviewing one of their most painful losses of this or any season -- the Cornhuskers' 56-21 whipping of UW in Seattle. Again and again. "We watched little clips of that every now and then because that really left a nasty taste in all of our mouths," said senior safety Nate Williams of the Sept. 18 loss, which tied the most points Washington has allowed at Husky Stadium. "That was a terrible feeling, to let a team come into your house and whip on you like that. So whenever we watch those clips and whenever we see that, it really kind of brings back that nasty taste and that's just more motivation for us."

The Seattle Times

While at least one tweet suggested June Jones would not leave Texas for the northern climes of Maryland, he may have at least flirted with the Terps. Comcast SportsNet is reporting that [Jones] has interviewed for the open Maryland job. Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is also believed to be in the running. ... [If] it turns out to be accurate, you can be sure that Jones did not want this getting out before the bowl game. He left Hawaii after the Sugar Bowl in Jan. of 2008 and denied reports of his interest in SMU -- including in The Dallas Morning News -- until after coaching the Warriors in the BCS bowl. Jones has said, as recently as this season, that the only other job that would interest him would be a chance to return to the NFL.

The Dallas Morning News

As you can see, the coaching rumors are still running rampant across college football. The Michigan job seems to have a lot of talk right now. Rich Rodriguez could be well on his way out of Ann Arbor and they are plenty of people that would be interested in that position. Most of the fan base and alumni would probably prefer Jim Harbaugh after the job he's done at Stanford. There is also a chance the San Francisco 49ers make a run at him as well. Maryland still has their job opening right now after buying out Ralph Friedgen's contract. Friedgen walked away a winner at Maryland winning the Military Bowl last night in big fashion. June Jones of SMU is said to have interviewed according to the article above but sounds like he'll stay put. Mike Leach is still being mentioned and you'll see Gus Malzahn's name in the mix too.

Washington will be looking for revenge on Nebraska from earlier. Nebraska destroyed the Huskies earlier this year. They will have Jake Locker leading the way at QB and are looking for an upset. Miami just recently went through a coaching change but they still have a bowl game to play for this year. It sounds like Stephen Morris may get the start if he's healthy enough over former starter Jacory Harris. Harris has had an up and down season so far this year due to his inconsistency in the passing game. Miami may be looking to change next season under new coach Al Golden but maybe Harris will show enough in the bowl game for his shot in 2011.

Plenty of college football talk right now with all the bowl games going on now and coaching changes. Anything out there that's of interest? Leave a comment and let us know.

Picture Of The Day

2010-12-29T16:58:00.003-05:00

This is what we are playing for this Friday in Atlanta. The Chick Fil-A Bowl Trophy is a rather nice one and would look good in the trophy case. GoGamecocks posted this on their Twitter page here

Garrett Chisholm Update

2010-12-29T14:24:00.003-05:00

There was a press conference earlier today for some of the USC coaches and players in the second round of interviews at the Chick Fil-A Bowl and the biggest bit of news to come from it is Garrett Chisholm's status.

As of right now, it appears Garrett Chisholm will miss out on the Chick Fil-A Bowl due to his knee injury. Chisholm has been giving this knee injury a shot in Atlanta but reportedly re-aggravated it yesterday during practice. This most recent setback seems to limit his chances of suiting up and playing this Friday. Terrance Campbell will take his place at Left Guard. Campbell is a fifth-year player at USC who was recently granted a sixth-year of eligibility. Campbell is an experienced player and should be able to fill Chisholm's role fairly well.

It's a tough loss for USC as they are down to a select few scholarship offensive lineman but at least Campbell is an experience player ready to step in.

Bowl Game Notes

2010-12-28T16:20:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy day for both the Gamecocks and the Seminoles today as they continue to get ready for Friday night's anticipated bowl game. There's been an FCA breakfast, practice, and other activities that certainly add to the bowl game experience. There are few notes worthy of mention today. Check them out below.

-FSU coach Jimbo Fisher has declared Christian Ponder ready to play in this Friday's bowl game. Ponder has been battling a sore throwing elbow for the last several weeks and has missed a few games the last two months. Ponder being ready to play adds to the FSU offense. He's the best passing QB option the Seminoles have and he can attack the USC secondary that has taken it's hits this year.

-USC will be down another TE. Reserve TE Mike Triglia was confirmed with an injury by USC SID Steve Fink and is expected to be out for the bowl game. The injury is related to his knee.

-Garrett Chisholm dressed out for practice this afternoon but appeared to be limited by the coaching staff in hopes of being healthy enough to play this Friday. Chisholm has a sprained knee and has missed some practice time because of it. Chisholm has been a starter on the offensive line for most of this season.

-USC will be the visiting team in the bowl game and is expected to take the white jersey and garnet pants combo with them into the game.

Is USC Home For The Dixons?

2010-12-28T10:38:00.002-05:00

The Dixon brothers from the Rock Hill area look like they are about to make their college decisions. From the looks of it, South Carolina should be very happy by this time next week. According to PalmettoSports.com, the Dixons have a timeframe in mind for when they announce their verbal commitments. January 3rd or the 4th is the day that their dad is trying to set something up for the brothers.

USC has long been the favorite for both players as they have wanted to play together at the next level and USC is the only school with the same offers. There were rumors that they would commit at the Shrine Bowl the other week but that never happened. Now it sounds like these guys will finally make their decision public and verbal commit to one lucky school. If it's not USC, I'll be shocked.

Dixons have announcement day in mind
By Phil Kornblut
Brothers DE Gerald Dixon of South Pointe and DL Gerald Dixon Jr. of Northwestern have an idea when the play to announce their commitments. "January 3rd or 4th," Dixon said. "Our dad is putting something together." The Dixons plan to go to the same school. USC is the only common offer and the Gamecocks have long been their favorites. But Dixon isn't ready to tip his hand officially. "We're not saying anything until we get up there and say it," he said.

Holloman To Start

2010-12-28T10:26:00.003-05:00

I guess it was time for me to return from my mini-Christmas vacation and this is as good a time as ever. USC has returned to the field to prepare for Florida State in the Chick Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta on New Years Eve. USC made the trek to Atlanta on in the snow after Christmas Day and have had a fun filled week so far.

Sportstalk had a bit of news on a shakeup in the secondary. Devonte Holloman will start at safety over DJ Swearinger in the bowl game. Holloman has had a solid season so far but was really impressive in the first half. Swearinger came on late and the two have swapped places the last few games. Holloman is the more physical of the two players and should do well in some run support and provide some hard hits this Friday.

I know this is nothing earth shattering but its a good start to the bowl week we've got coming up. Both teams have been going to all kinds of fun events like eating events and FCA breakfast with people like Bobby Bowden speaking. This is an experience this guys will remember and if they win then that makes it even better. Let's hope the Holloman move will help jump start the Gamecocks to victory.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T21:07:00.002-05:00

I wanted to wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas! Its been a fun year to be following Gamecock athletics as we've seen some real exciting events happen with the national championship in baseball and the football team winning the SEC East.

I've enjoyed blogging about Gamecock sports the last few years and plan on continuing to do so for anyone who want to keep visiting and reading my thoughts and opinions. There could be a change in the works for Life Of A Gamecock Fan so be prepared if we get a new look soon.

So Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your family and friends this holiday seasons. This is a special time of year where we get to celebrate more than just gifts and presents. Take care and be safe this Christmas and come back refreshed and ready for the bowl game. My apologies in advance if they aren't many posts the next few days as I'll be busy with family but I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as possible on any late breaking news.

Merry Christmas!

12/23 WHBK Radio Appearance

2010-12-23T17:58:00.002-05:00

Tonight I joined Chris Kelly on 1460 Am WHBK The Team in Marshall, NC for another edition of Madison Sports Talk during the College Football segment. Chris and I discussed some of the upcoming bowl games, the Ohio State situation, and some of the coaching changes. If you couldn't listen live then I've got a recording of the segment below for you to listen to whenever and wherever you want. It's a jam-packed segment with a lot of info from myself so if you like hearing me talk and then you are in luck!

Here is an embedded player for the segment below:

Be sure to check out the link at the top of the page for any other radio segments you may have missed from previous weeks.

Ohio State Suspends 5 Players in 2011

2010-12-23T12:17:00.003-05:00

Ohio State University announced a 5-game suspension for 5 players to start the 2011 season for receiving improper benefits. One of the players is star QB Terrelle Pryor. The players reportedly traded autographs for free tattoos and now are required to miss the beginning of next season and to repay in the amount of $1,000 to $2,500 to charity. The interesting part of this whole story is no one is suspended for the BCS bowl game coming up against Arkansas. They said part of the reason they weren't suspended was due to the lack of education from OSU's part to the players on improper benefits.

Tell me this. You think these players didn't know it was against rules to get free tattoos that could cost a few thousand dollars to regular customers? The NCAA and whoever else involved just proved their stupidity on this one. These players knew exactly what was going on when they did this and the consequences that would come from such a decision. A player like Terrelle Pyror is too high-profile for something like this to sneak by the NCAA and the compliance office so he gets punished. I just question why this punishment doesn't start now? Pryor is eligible for the NFL Draft this year and is more than likely a Top 15 draft pick. You think he wants to come back and miss 5 games and hurt his draft chances next year? You're foolish if you think so. The players who are eligible for the draft and could potentially be a high draft pick will use this as an excuse to go pro. Then what repercussions will come of this? Will Pryor have his draft stock hurt because of this? I seriously doubt it.

The NCAA missed a prime opportunity to make an example here and once again are left being questioned by everyone in the nation. They've already had one questionable decision with the Cam Newton situation and now this with Ohio State. Heaven forbid you hurt one of your money-making universities in the BCS bowl games....poor form NCAA.

CNNSI.com has a brief story on this situation at this link.

AJ Green To The NFL

2010-12-23T09:44:00.004-05:00

SEC fans can breathe a sigh of relief. AJ Green is headed to the NFL according to local news station in Georgia.

Green was suspended the first 4 games this season but still led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. Green has 49 catches this season for 771 yards and 9 touchdowns. Green has been a menace to SEC teams everywhere with his acrobatic catches and blazing speed. He's an unreal talent at wide receiver and I would expect him to be drafted no later than 10th in the upcoming NFL Draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Green as the 3rd overall prospect while Todd McShay has him in the Top 5.

The local Summerville, SC native chose Georgia early in the recruiting process and never wavered on his commitment. Green should be able to replicate his success in the NFL and make an immediate impact where ever he is drafted. I know I'll be glad to see him go. Good luck to Green in the future.

Check this link from the AJC.com on the story of Green going pro.

The Perfect Christmas Present !!

2010-12-22T16:43:00.003-05:00

If you've got a Gamecock fan out there and you are stuck on Christmas gifts then you are in luck. For a low bid of $35.00 on Ebay, you can have your very own Steve Spurrier figurine. The Head Ball Coach is looking pretty sharp in his USC attire and looks like he just got finished with a big victory.

Here's a link to the auction on Ebay.

Here's a picture of what Lil' Stevie Spurrier looks like:

Finnie To Enroll Early?

2010-12-22T15:38:00.003-05:00

Thomas Finnie, one of the long time USC commitments, is reportedly looking to enroll early at USC. TheBigSpur.com has reported this on their website this afternoon. This would add to the growing list of early enrollees that appears to be up to 7 now. The other players right now are Kaleb Broome, Brison Williams, Brandon Golson, Kelcy Quarles, Martay Mattox, and Brandon Wilds.

Finnie has been recently receiving interest from Miami after the coaching turnover happened in South Beach. Finnie is a fine cornerback prospect who is ranked #39 overall at cornerback in the Rivals.com database and is listed as a 3-star prospect. He's 5'10" and 170 pounds.

The numbers are starting to get questionable for the amount USC can sign right now as the amount of prospects that enroll over 5 count towards how many you can sign in 2011. USC has some open scholarships they can count back and several of the players listed above will count back. It's going to be interesting to watch how this numbers game plays out in Febuary on National Signing Day. USC certainly could use a talented cornerback on campus early like Finnie. I don't know if we'll have anymore players to enroll early but if we do, I'll be sure to let you know.

Chick Fil-A Bowl A Sellout!

2010-12-22T15:34:00.004-05:00

The Chick Fil-A Bowl announced today that the matchup between South Carolina and Florida State has officially sold out. This will be the bowl's 14th consecutive sellout which is the 2nd longest sellout streak in the nation for a bowl game. It is tied with the Fiesta Bowl at 14 straight and is right behind the Rose Bowl in consecutive sellouts. Tell me if that's not impressive for a bowl game.

This matchup will pit Steve Spurrier against an old rival in FSU. The game will be played in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on December 31st. The game is nationally televised on ESPN at 7:30 on New Year's Eve and will be the last football game in 2010.

A job well done by both Gamecock and Seminole fans for buying tickets and keeping this sellout tradition alive.

You can see a press release on the sellout at this link.

Drew Owens Highlights

2010-12-21T10:17:00.002-05:00

Drew Owens is USC's latest commitment and he can add another element to the USC offense with his pass-catching ability. Here's an interview with GamecockAnthem.com from earlier this year with Owens that does have some highlights mixed in:

Athlete Vault is also a good website for looking for recruit's highlights and they have one for Drew Owens for some of his senior year of high school. It's a good video that shows an array of his talents on the field. The video starts off with an impressive one-handed catch in the end zone. There was also some highlights of his blocking ability which always helps out as a TE. He also never gave up on a play. There were times when the QB would roll out and the secondary had good coverage that Owens kept moving and working towards getting open and would eventually come away with a big play. This is the kind of thing that coaches love. Check out the video here from Athlete Vault.

Which QB Will FSU Play?

2010-12-21T09:41:00.004-05:00

Florida State has had a bit of resurgence this year under Jimbo Fisher. Florida State was able to win 9 games this season and get back to championship level football that we saw so often under Bobby Bowden's watch. The Seminoles seem prime to rise in the ACC now with the influx of talent they are recruiting, in part to the fall of both the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes. Recruiting has been on another level lately for the Seminoles as they just stole a recruit from the Gators. Things look good for the future for FSU. This is all in the future. The present holds a question that many Gamecock fans and Seminoles fans are pondering right now. Which quarterback will FSU play in the Chick Fil-A Bowl?

Florida State has two guys who are capable of leading this Seminole team to victory. Both players were good recruits coming out of high school and offer some different styles of play. Christian Ponder is the main guy for Florida State. He's been the starter the last few years and coming into the 2010 season was considered a Heisman candidate. Injuries have played their part in Ponder's season thus far but he has still shown flashes of greatness and he's why Florida State has been able to return to the national scene. Ponder is 183-294 for a 62.2% completion percentage. He's throw for 2038 yards this season with 20 TD's to 8 INT's. This would be great numbers for a full season but Ponder has missed time due to injuries so you have to be impressed with what he has done so far. Ponder missed the Clemson game and the ACC Title Game against Virginia Tech this year with injuries. He's got a sore throwing elbow right now and has been held out of bowl game practice so far. The plan for him is to return to practice on December 26th and give it a shot then. Ponder gives FSU the best opportunity to win as he's an experienced and smart quarterback with the physical tools needed to attack the South Carolina secondary.

If Ponder is unable to go, EJ Manuel will have to step in and fill the role of leader of the offense. Manuel was a big part in the victory over Clemson earlier this season where he threw for 210 yards and rushed for 71 yards. Manuel was the #2 ranked Dual-Threat QB coming out of high school and that game showed that he can be dangerous both ways from the QB position. Manuel certainly adds a running threat to the FSU offense but is not the polished passer that Ponder has shown himself to be. This can be attributed to game experience but Manuel will have to curb the turnovers and poor decision making if he ends up playing against the Gamecocks in Atlanta. He's thrown 3 TD's to 4 INT's in limited play this season so there is a chance the USC secondary stands a better chance with Manuel on the field.

Both guys give FSU an opportunity. Ponder seems to be the better player and I'm sure FSU would prefer him to start if he is healthy enough. Manuel looks to be more athletic and has a scrambling ability that adds to the QB position. It's hard to say which guy will play because Ponder's arm issue is a bit of an unknown right now. I believe FSU thinks he'll be fine and play but he has missed 2 games since mid-November and it may not be getting better. South Carolina better prepare for both players. It's secondary will be tested with Ponder's accuracy if he's on the field and the defensive line will have to bring pressure on both Ponder and Manuel and force them into some uncomfortable decisions if they expect to win.

This is an interesting matchup to me between both teams and it's things like this that could sway the edge into FSU's or USC's favor.

USC News And Notes

2010-12-20T22:57:00.003-05:00

South Carolina has been preparing for Florida State for the last few days and certainly have an opportunity to get to the elusive 10 win plateau that's happened once here at USC. Coach Spurrier spoke with the media today and had a few notes of interest.

-Coach Spurrier said tonight that USC shouldn't have an advantage over FSU because they played in the Georgia Dome just days ago. He's got a point. Did you see how we played in there?

-There are about 8 to 9 players who have filled out their paperwork and sent it in to the NFL for their draft evaluation status. Several of the players are juniors and even some redshift sophomores like Tori Gurley. Rokevious Watkins is the other name that seems to be known at this time. Antonio Allen is someone who threw his name out there but expects to be back at USC next season. I wonder if we will get a full list of all the players who've applied for the NFL Draft.

-Garrett Chisholm injures his knee the other day and the initial prognosis was not good. There were concerns he wouldn't be available for the bowl game. Coach Spurrier said this afternoon that might not be the case. Chisholm may be available for the bowl game. He's been icing his knee and doing some rehab work so far. The plan is to bring him to Atlanta and see what he can do. Jarriel King has been practicing in his spot the last few days on the offensive line.

Drew Owens Commits To USC!!

2010-12-20T22:40:00.004-05:00

South Carolina landed one of its long time targets this evening when Drew Owens committed to South Carolina. Owens has been a prospect that USC has been after for a few years now as the talented TE from North Carolina had many suitors but most notably in-state school NC State. Owens has been back and forth on this decision the last several weeks after an official visit to NC State opened things up considerably. They were reports that he was leaning towards NC State and then other reports had him leaning towards South Carolina. He wanted to make a decision before the end of the year as I believe he envisions enrolling early at the school of his choice and his school officially became South Carolina tonight.

Owens is a workhorse at TE who is capable of stretching the field. He's got an athletic frame at 6'5" and 230 pounds. He will add a vertical threat to this passing game that lacked a pass catching TE this season. Owens should be expected to play next season as there is certainly a need for someone with his talents. If USC lands a few more TE prospects like Jerell Adams and Rory Anderson then it could be the player that picks up the system the quickest. Owens seems like an intelligent player so I have no doubt he will have an impact for this offense in the near future.

Owens is USC's 26th commitment this season and the first TE prospect USC has landed. Owens is a 3-star prospect on the Rivals.com database.

Welcome Drew Owens to the Gamecock Family!

USC Baseball Ranked 14th

2010-12-20T16:41:00.003-05:00

The defending national champion South Carolina baseball team has been ranked 14th in the Collegiate Baseball Preseason Top 40 poll to start the season. South Carolina will look to capture the magic it had this past season that saw them leave Omaha with a national championship.

Several other SEC teams were found on the poll to start the season and they are #2 Florida, # 5 Vanderbilt, #15 LSU, #25 Auburn, and #32 Arkansas. It looks to be another banner year in the SEC and one that should be full of excitement. ESPN has added a Thursday night baseball game of the week this year to add to the excitement of SEC baseball and USC will kick it off April 7th against Tennessee. The popularity of baseball is expanding and South Carolina being in the national spotlight will do wonders for the program.

Video of the Day

2010-12-20T14:00:00.001-05:00

The Lonely Island is back with another quality video off their next CD. Take a look below if you were a fan of "I'm On A Boat"

Good Interview with The Captain

2010-12-20T09:36:00.003-05:00

Captain Munnerlyn was a favorite among many South Carolina fans during his short time in Columbia. The small player with the big first name was a quality defensive back and excelled in special teams as well. He ended up declaring early for the NFL Draft in an unusual situation that ended up hurting Munnerlyn and caused him to fall all the way to the 7th round where the Carolina Panthers took a flyer on the young man. He's since impressed many people in the NFL and is having a great season for the Panthers despite a 2-12 record.

The Post and Courier has a quick interview that hits on the tough season, the loss of his friend Kenny McKinley, and a few other things. Here's the interesting part about the interview. Munnerlyn was asked about his decision to go pro early. Here's the response:

You left South Carolina a year early. Any regrets?
"I think everyone has to make the decision that's best for themselves and their family. If I had it to do it over again, I would have stayed another year at South Carolina. I honestly feel like I cost myself a lot of money because I came out early. I felt like if I had stayed I would have gone a little higher in the draft and gotten a little more guaranteed money. But I made my decision, so I've got to live with it."

This is a good example of what most young players need to see about leaving early for the NFL Draft. Munnerlyn never performed at some crazy level at USC but he was a good enough player with enough attributes like speed to make an impact at the next level. He could have proved himself another year at USC and more than likely been drafted a few rounds higher. He's lucky that he fell into a good situation at The Panthers where he's been able to be brought along and has excelled at what they've asked him to do. He wasn't expected to be drafted high when he declared early but yet went to the draft anyway.

Tori Gurley would definitely fit this scenario that has already played out with Munnerlyn. He's got everything the NFL would want in a player but he just hasn't performed at a high level for a long enough period and it will hurt him in the end. There are some scenarios where the opportunity to earn a living and provide for family in these tough times may outweigh coming back to college but a chance at the NFL will be there. Being able to come back to a team expected to compete for the SEC again will give Gurley a chance to be noticed and seen by more scouts.

Ultimately these players make their own decisions and it's hard to say what we would do in their situation. Munnerlyn made his and has his regrets now and USC has a few players looking at doing the same. I just hope these guys educate themselves about the whole process and make an informed decision and not rush the process.

College Football News

2010-12-20T08:35:00.005-05:00

This is always a busy time of the year for college football with players thinking about the NFL Draft, upcoming bowl games, and coaching changes at all these different schools. This weekend was no different as we had a few interesting news stories come out from around the Southeast.

-Reports out of Athens are that Caleb King, RB from Georgia, is academically ineligible to play in the bowl game. The Bulldogs are playing UCF in the Liberty Bowl and hoped to improve on the running game that's escaped them all year long. King also will reportedly not look to return to Georgia next year and will instead try his luck at the NFL Draft. He hasn't been the type of back people expected coming out of high school and will certainly have a tough time landing a spot in the NFL with his spotty production at UGA.

-Maryland had themselves quite a weekend when it comes to football. First, the offensive coordinator James Franklin took the job at Vanderbilt to become their head football coach. Franklin was the coach-in-waiting at Maryland and was expected to get a large bonus if he wasn't named head coach by 2012. Current Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen has had a resurgence this year at Maryland going 8-4 after a 2-10 season last year. Franklin saw his opportunity and took it at Vanderbilt. Now comes the crazy part. Maryland decided to force Ralph Friedgen out at Maryland by buying out the rest of his contract and deciding to move forward with a replacement. The timing is quite interesting if I must say. You've got a guy on staff that is expected to replace your current head coach so you let him take another job and then get rid of the head coach. Something must have been going on with Maryland football program.

Now the name that's being associated with the Maryland job is former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. Leach is quite a character but brought big success to Texas Tech who was let go when issues of abuse of the son of ESPN analyst Craig James came to light. Leach would be an interesting hire for the ACC school and one would wonder how he would fit in at the conference. If anything, he'll add some interesting quotes to the ACC Media Days and every other press conference he would be involved with.

-LSU has self-reported some secondary violations for football and will dock themselves 2 scholarships from the upcoming 2011 recruiting class and will be down 2 overall scholarships for the 2011-2012 year. Some improper contact was uncovered between some staff members in 2009 while recruiting former signee Akiem Hicks. LSU should avoid further punishment by doing this self-imposed punishment and more than likely won't here anything further from the NCAA. You can find an article about the violations here.

Chisholm Injuries Knee; Academic Casualty Possible For Bowl Game?

2010-12-17T17:37:00.005-05:00

I've been out of commission the last few days with family holiday travels. It's that time of the year and everyone is busy right now. Sorry for the lack of posting the last few days. Here are a few things I saw on Friday that I wanted to share:

Garrett Chisholm has injured his knee according to Coach Spurrier at a luncheon held earlier Friday. His knee is being evaluated by the training staff and it's sounding like a good possibility that he will be out for the bowl game. Chisholm has become one of the stables of an improved Carolina offensive line and his loss will certainly be noticed by this team if he's unavailable on December 31st.

The other news was Travis Haney mentioned on Twitter that USC had the potential to miss a starter for the bowl game due to academics. He said there was a good chance it could happen but he later came out over the weekend and said there shouldn't be a worry now. It sounds like USC is in good shape academically for the bowl game and at this time shouldn't be missing any players.

Video of the Day

2010-12-17T10:38:00.001-05:00

Best. video. ever.

A parrot signing a classic.

Mangus To Temple?

2010-12-17T09:21:00.003-05:00

Sportstalk posted a story this morning about GA Mangus and his potential involvement with the Temple head coaching job. They've got an article listed here about it. Mangus has some roots up north and this would certainly be a big step towards advancement in his coaching career. He has worked at some lower level division schools in the Philadelphia area. Mangus has been a big reason for USC's success this season and really has placed a stamp on this offense with his involvement with Stephen Garcia and his knowledge of the spread offense that has infiltrated Coach Spurrier's Fun and Gun offense.

You know you've got a good coach when a school comes calling and mentioning their name as a potential head coach for said university. Mangus recruits the area extremely well which could help give him an edge. Temple has been under a resurgence the last few years under Al Golden who just recently accepted the job at Miami. If Mangus wanted to become a big time head college football coach, this Temple job could be a springboard to a brighter future. They've got a few names listed and they definitely seem to be ones on a bit higher level than Mangus. Bob Davie, former Notre Dame coach, is a name being mentioned along with Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. GA Mangus could be a bit of a fallback should some of these candidates turn the job down but Gamecock fans need to be fully invested in this Temple job and hope they find someone other than our beloved QB coach. I want Mangus to reach high success but I think he's critical to this team's future for the next few years so I hope we are able to retain him on this current coaching staff.

Here's a link to the article from the Philadelphia Daily News talking about the Temple job.

Picture Of The Day

2010-12-16T11:33:00.003-05:00

Today's picture of the day is fantastic. Someone posted this over on Cockytalk.com and I later saw it on the Deadspin sports blog so it needed to be seen here if you haven't already. It's a younger HBC and his awesome outfit. Take a look below:

Broome Set To Sign

2010-12-16T11:16:00.002-05:00

Junior College Offensive Lineman Kaleb Broome is set to sign with USC as today is the National Signing Day for JUCO players. Broome will enroll at USC in January and work through spring practice in hopes of adding depth to the USC offensive line next season.

Broome has been a long-time commitment for South Carolina as he jumped at the opportunity to return to his home state to play college football. Broome was recently named 1st-team All-American for the National Junior College Division so the guy has performed well at a higher level. Broome is expected to step in and already has the size at 6'6" and 315 pounds to become an immediate player for South Carolina.

He won't be the only player enrolling early this year as USC has some players at prep school that should be making their way to Columbia here shortly. Kelcy Quarles is the big name that should be on campus soon enough. All of these guys will count back towards the 2010 class and will upgrade the talent level for the 2011 season.

Welcome Kaleb to the Gamecock family and we'll see you in January.

Lattimore Named Sporting News Freshman of the Year

2010-12-15T15:12:00.003-05:00

I feel this is all I post about these days. Don't get me wrong, I love being able to say that a USC player has gotten some big honor but this lag between the end of the season and no bowl game preparations is killing me!

Anyways, Marcus Lattimore picked up another honor today as he was named the Sporting News Freshman of the Year. Lattimore was the league's top running back this year and is second in rushing yards to Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. Lattimore burst onto the scene this year in a big way with big games against Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. Lattimore has been recognized by other media outlets as Freshman of the Year and has been named to some All-SEC teams as well as some All-American teams.

Lattimore will look to continue his record breaking year against Florida State in the Chick Fil-A Bowl on December 31st at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Congratulations to Marcus on another well deserved honor!

Video of the Day

2010-12-15T14:19:00.003-05:00

GamecockAnthem.com's Wes Mitchell has a good interview up on Youtube with Gamecock commitment Ronnie Martin. It gives you an idea of what's going on at the Shrine Bowl, when his official visit might be, and a few other things. The big news is he's working with Jadeveon Clowney trying to get him to become a South Carolina Gamecock. He mentioned that Clowney said he doesn't want to leave home.

Check the video out below:

Logan Stewart To USC?

2010-12-15T08:32:00.003-05:00

Vanderbilt is undergoing another coaching change after Bobby Johnson resigned and then replacement Robbie Caldwell stepped down as well. It appears they have settled on Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin as the new head coach. There is a local product from Boiling Springs that chose Vanderbilt as his college of choice and now may be interested in coming home.

Logan Stewart has been mentioned as a transfer candidate to South Carolina if the new Vanderbilt coach doesn't retain offensive line coach Herb Hand. Stewart was recruited by South Carolina but it was late in the process after Shawn Elliott took over the offensive line position at USC. Stewart decided to stick with Vanderbilt. Stewart was interviewed before the South Carolina game and talked about how he wanted to show everyone why he came to Vanderbilt. This was his first start of the year and he seemed pretty excited about it coming against Carolina.

Here is the article from PalmettoSports.com mentioning the Stewart transfer:

Stewart might consider USC transfer
By Phil Kornblut

Former Boiling Springs Shrine Bowl OL Logan Stewart (6-5 290) said Tuesday he might consider a transfer to USC if Vanderbilt does not retain Herb Hand as offensive line coach. Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin reportedly has accepted Vandy's offer to replace Robbie Caldwell as head coach. Hand has been at Vanderbilt for one season. He was the first hire by Caldwell when he was promoted to interim head coach following the retirement of Bobby Johnson in July. USC recruiter Stewart after Shawn Elliott was named line coach in early January. But by the time Elliott became involved, Stewart had already committed to Vanderbilt.

These transfer rumors never seem to work out if it involves USC. It always seems to be the reverse situation. At any event, chalk this up as rumor and watch out for the potential scenario in case Hand isn't retained and Stewart starts to think Columbia would be the place for him. Vanderbilt probably wouldn't release him to South Carolina since it's the same division and Stewart would have to sit out a year as a transfer anyway. He could redshirt and have 3 years remaining to play. I imagine if Vandy doesn't release him to South Carolina, he would have to pay his own way his redshirt year before going on scholarship at USC. So this is a tough situation but one to keep an eye on in the near future.

Gurley and Watkins: NFL Ready?

2010-12-14T16:09:00.005-05:00

Tori Gurley and Rokevious Watkins have both submitted their paperwork for the NFL Draft this upcoming year. Gurley and Watkins are both eligible to be drafted into the NFL based on years removed from high school. I'm all for these guys getting an idea of where they may be drafted right now and what attributes that they need to work on for the future. I do have a problem with these guys thinking they are NFL-ready right now though.

Tori Gurley and Rokevious Watkins are both good players. Both had solid seasons for the Gamecocks this year but they could definitely use some more college seasoning. Gurley has great size and attributes that the NFL would want in a WR prospect while Rokevious Watkins fits the mold as well standing 6'4" 325 pounds as an offensive lineman. Both have started this season at USC and both players have had their moments. I just can envision either player receiving high enough marks to warrant going to the NFL early. This is not a knock on either Gurley nor Watkins. I feel like both of these players would be better suited returning to school and getting another year of experience at the college level. It would help their development and give them a better chance of making in NFL roster after next college football season.

You may think this is a biased decision but it really isn't. If this was someone like Alshon Jeffery, who would more than likely draw a 1st round draft pick, then I would say go for it. Would I want you back? Of course I would. I, however, couldn't blame a guy who would have an opportunity at millions of dollars and to set themselves up financially for the rest of their lives. I think Da'Quan Bowers should go to the NFL because he's a top 10 draft pick right now but he's on the fence. If a guy like that is considering returning to college football then two players like Gurley and Watkins should definitely be coming back.

I'm hoping they will use this time to get honest evaluations from the NFL and use it to better themselves for the future. Both players would be big contributors to a 2011 season that could continue the Gamecocks solid play in 2011. I think it would be of their best benefit to come back but that's just my wishes. I'm only a fan with a blog and certainly can't make the decision for these players. Good luck to both Gurley and Watkins in their decisions. I know it's a tough one to make but hopefully they will make a sound and reasonable decision after weighing all their options.

Two Gamecocks Earn AP All-American Nomination

2010-12-14T15:05:00.004-05:00

Two South Carolina Gamecocks picked up some honors today and they are pretty big news. Alshon Jeffery and Stephon Gilmore were named AP All-Americans this afternoon in recognition of their outstanding seasons.

Alshon Jeffery made it on the list as a 2nd Team AP All-American. Jeffery set the school record for receptions in a season along with receiving yards in a season. He has been named to all All-American lists so far and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award as well. Jeffery will have a chance to increase his record breaking season at the end of December in the Chick Fil-A Bowl against Florida State.

Stephon Gilmore was named as a 3rd Team AP All-American this year. Gilmore is currently the team leader in tackles this season with 71 total tackles and he also is in the team lead for interceptions with 2. Gilmore has also been named to some other lists this postseason like 1st Team All-SEC and a few others.

Congratulations to both of our Gamecocks on some well deserved honors.

Video of the Day

2010-12-14T10:53:00.002-05:00

Today's video shows our favorite quarterback this year(not) and his attempt at humor on Late Show with David Letterman. Cam Newton did the Top 10 Things on the show last night and the video is listed below for you to check out.

College Football Articles Across The Web

2010-12-14T10:04:00.003-05:00

Here are a few articles from around the Internet today that are dealing with some of college football's biggest stories. Coaching rumors are still running rampant, Bo Pelini is still angry, and others headline today's stories. Take a look below:

With Al Golden's hiring at Miami, UConn fans have one less possible desination for Randy Edsall to worry about. Of course, firing season isn't quite over yet. No doubt the annual back-fence gossip mill about which big-name school with a job opening has Edsall on its short list won't rest until then -- no matter how bizarre the rumor. Michigan's Rich Rodriguez still isn't in the clear, and Edsall's name will almost certainly find its way into the mix should that position become available. ... On Monday, Edsall met with state media on campus to discuss UConn's preparations for Oklahoma at the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl. He refused to address a question about whether he had met with officials at Miami.

The Middletown Press

Bo Pelini didn't want to talk about speculation about the Miami after Monday's practice. Better to aim the attention at Washington, the Holiday Bowl foe Nebraska already played earlier this season. The Huskers won that game 56-21 and UW comes into the bowl having lost as many games as it's won this season. But Pelini said there's no disappointment in the rematch or a second straight trip to San Diego for a bowl game. "We're looking forward to playing the football game," Pelini said. And as for any outside chatter suggesting it could be tough for the Huskers to be motivated for this matchup? "I don't care what people say," Pelini said. "People are going to say whatever they want to say and I could care less about what people outside this building say."

Lincoln Journal Star

A full week into the post-Dave Wannstedt era, Pitt remains without a head coach. Presumably, Pitt lost its No. 1 candidate Al Golden to Miami. There's no disgrace there. Miami had fired its coach before Pitt fired Wannstedt and Miami is a more prestigious program in a better conference. The early word that Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen was Pitt's man might have been false but in any case that does not appear to be the case any longer. It has been written, with no substantiation as near as I can tell, that Holgorsen was scratched by Pitt because of his lifestyle. I don't know anything about Holgorsen's lifestyle, but if Pitt is limiting its search only to those of the strongest character and moral fiber, it will be eliminating a lot of worthwhile candidates.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

What a roller coaster it has been in Austin. Mack Brown never has had to repair anything close to the current mess he has on his hands in Austin. That's because the current predicament -- down four coaches since the regular-season finale, including head-coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp -- was created under Brown's watch and happened almost overnight, a year after a 13-1 season and berth in the BCS National Championship Game. That makes it much worse, from a perception standpoint, than the 4-7 mess he inherited in December 1997 from predecessor John Mackovic. And there is a chance the situation could get worse before it gets better, if running backs coach Major Applewhite, a former Texas quarterback and fan favorite, joins Muschamp's staff as the Gators' new offensive coordinator.

Star-Telegram

Russell Wilson, like Kyle Parker a Rockies prospect, may not be long for N.C. State. Tom O'Brien didn't sound confident Sunday about the prospects of Wilson returning for his senior season. Wilson, a junior, returned to the Wolfpack after playing pro baseball last summer in the Colorado Rockies organization. But O'Brien said next season will be a different situation. "When he left the last time he spent the whole spring here and was, the whole time, around us," O'Brien said. "And he wasn't being paid [last spring]. He's being paid now. And they have money. And what do I have to offer? So who knows what's going to happen."

Charlotte Observer

Got any opinions on the stories above? What about the Edsall to Michigan rumor? I'm having a hard time believing that Michigan will fire Rich Rodriguez right now. I think he gets another season to work out the kinks in Ann Arbor before losing his job. Edsall seems to be on plenty of lists each time there is an opening so his name will surface again soon. Pittsburgh is struggling right now in their search for a head coach. Wannstedt had the name but just couldn't quite accomplish what many thought he could there. They lost their top candidate to Miami and appear to have no one in the fold for right now.

If you've got any thoughts, I'd love to see them. Post a comment below.

Picture Of The Day

2010-12-13T15:33:00.003-05:00

Here are two pictures of some new Under Armour products the team will be wearing in the bowl game. GamecockFB on Twitter posted these pictures a few days ago and have them listed on a site here and here.

What do you think? The gloves are similar to the Nike gloves you've seen that has the school logo like the Florida Gator head on their gloves. I think they are pretty cool looking. I would have preferred a Gamecock on there instead of the Palmetto Flag but it's still different.

2011 South Carolina Football Schedule

2010-12-13T12:55:00.003-05:00

The 2011 football schedule is set for the South Carolina Gamecocks and could be one of the finest years yet in Gamecock history. USC has 7 home games next season along with a visit to Charlotte for a battle between the Gamecocks and East Carolina. USC will also see the Navy Midshipmen come to Williams-Brice and will play rival Clemson on Thanksgiving weekend once again. Here's a look at the 2011 season for the South Carolina Gamecocks:

9/3/2011
East Carolina
Charlotte, NC

9/10/2011
Georgia
Athens, GA

9/17/2011
Navy
Columbia, SC

9/24/2011
Vanderbilt
Columbia, SC

10/01/2011
Auburn
Columbia, SC

10/08/2011
Kentucky
Columbia, SC

10/15/2011
Mississippi State
Starksville, MS

10/22/2011
Bye week

10/29/2011
Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

11/05/2011
Arkansas
TBD

11/12/2011
Florida
Columbia,SC

11/19/2011
The Citadel
Columbia, SC

11/26/2011
Clemson
Columbia, SC

It seems to be a pretty well set up schedule with some tough non-conference games in the early part of the season. Navy and ECU are no laughing matters and will give the Gamecocks a run for their money. If USC can get past UGA in the 2nd game of the season, it's feasible to believe that Carolina can be undefeated heading into November if they play up to potential. This could put the Gamecocks in the top of the rankings and in contention for the BCS title. Yes, this is all getting ahead of ourselves but this schedule seems pretty favorable and if USC defeats FSU in the bowl game then you have to believe South Carolina could be ranked in the Top 20 or so to start the 2011 season. Winning can put you in contention and USC should have a good chance to do so next year with this schedule setup.

Video of the Day

2010-12-13T12:51:00.001-05:00

Here's the video of the Jets coach who tripped the Miami Dolphins player in a game yesterday. The coach has come out and apologized but it's crazy to think this guy would actually get away with it. Take a look below:

More Coaching News: UPDATE

2010-12-13T11:57:00.004-05:00

This weekend was the one if you were a school looking for a new head coach. Florida filled their job with Will Muschamp. Two other schools filled their jobs as well although reports are now conflicting on one of those schools.

Miami found their new coach from up north. Al Golden accepted the offer to become the next head coach at Miami. Golden was just recently the savior of the Temple football program guiding them to 17 wins the past two seasons. Temple is a place not known for it's winning ways of late but Golden did a fantastic job of rebuilding the football program. He took Temple to their first bowl game in 30 years last year and had the Owls bowl-eligible again this year but missed out on being selected for a bowl even though they finished the year at 8-4. Golden also is known for his academics as well and improved the Temple football program in that area. Miami recently showed improvements on the academic side under former coach Randy Shannon so Golden will be expected to continue that presence as the Hurricanes new head coach. He's got a defensive background working under Al Groh in Virginia as a defensive coordinator. He's also played college football as a tight end at Penn State. He's one of the up and coming coaches in college football and on the surface this looks like a pretty good hire for Miami. Recruiting will be the story to watch here to see if Golden can convince recruits to come to Miami. The school will help lure them in but Golden will have to work to prove himself on this level. He seems ready for the challenge.

The other big news over the weekend is the Gus Malzahn to Vanderbilt story that kept popping up on Saturday. It was assured as a done deal by many media outlets yesterday afternoon. The Washington Post was running a story saying Malzahn took the job at Vanderbilt for $3 million dollars. The student paper was running the story off the of Washington Post article. Everyone seemed to believe that Malzahn was gone. Now word is coming out from the Auburn Rivals site that Malzahn has not accepted the offer and will remain at Auburn. Who are we to believe? It's basically a he said she said scenario here. I'm inclined to believe that Malzahn is gone from Auburn. I think the money would be too much to pass up and you also get your first head coaching job at a school in the SEC. These are things that don't come around too often. I think Malzahn is doing this for the bigger picture. Just say he gets to Vanderbilt and turns the school around in a few short years. He'll be an even bigger commodity and could have his chance at the prime schools across the land that could open up. Vanderbilt is a tough job because of the academic requirements placed on student-athletes coming in as opposed to other SEC schools. It's a great school academically but just doesn't have the football history one would look for in a school. It's in a prime location in Nashville, Tennessee. It could be a quality program with the right guy and Malzahn could be the guy if he accepts the position. I'm sure we'll find out more about this story as the day gets older but I would expect some official news on the Vanderbilt job within the next day or so.

A few other schools hired some new head coaches. University of Louisiana-Lafayette hired Mississippi State's Mark Hudspeth. Northern Illinois hired Wisconsin's Dave Doeren to replace their coach Jerry Kill who took Minnesota's job a week or so ago. Furman announced they have hired Bruce Fowler as their new head coach to replace Bobby Lamb. This is the time of year for coaching hires and it certainly isn't slowing down. Stay tuned on the Vanderbilt job and be sure to keep your eyes open as this won't be the last we see of a new coach at a new school.

UPDATE:Malzahn has apparently told Vanderbilt "thanks, but no thanks." ESPN.com is reporting that Vanderbilt was turned down by Gus Malzahn after deliberating on the offer for the past few days. Malzahn will stay at Auburn for the time being and will probably end up getting a raise as well. Vanderbilt was said to have Maryland OC James Franklin next on the list but he too appears to be turning Vanderbilt down.

Tickets Remain For Chick Fil-A Bowl

2010-12-12T13:06:00.002-05:00

South Carolina announced yesterday that they have approximately 1400 tickets remaining from their allotment given to the school that is available to purchase by anyone who wants them. They will be in the USC sections at the Georgia Dome and are priced at $80.00 dollars a piece. You can order them online here through USC or you can call the number 1-800-4SC-FANS to order. You may also visit the Colonial Life Arena in person Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to order your bowl tickets as well.

I'm sure this number has gone done since yesterday but if you've been on the fence about going or where you are going to sit, hit these links up and order tickets to be in the Gamecocks section.

Florida Hires UT DC Will Muschamp

2010-12-12T12:46:00.003-05:00

The Florida Gators have found their man. Will Muschamp, the former defensive coordinator at Texas, has taken the head coaching job at the University of Florida. Muschamp was the head coach in waiting at Texas behind Mack Brown and was the hot name in the coaching circles a few years back. Muschamp is familiar with the SEC as he's coached at both Auburn and Georgia and is known for his top notch defense. He's got no head coaching experience but that didn't deter the Florida Gators from making him their head coach. According to the AD, he's the only guy they seriously considered and offered the job to become the Gators new head coach.

Is this a good hire for Florida? It's hard to say. The last time they went this route they ended up with Ron Zook and had a few subpar years. Muschamp certainly seems to have more credibility than Zook did and could have taken a number of jobs along the way. Texas wanted him as their next head coach but Mack Brown still seems capable of coaching for many years so a talented coach like Muschamp has to take an opportunity like this when it's thrown your way. Florida is the best job in the country. It's in the best recruiting state and best conference in all of college football. They have everything now to continue the powerhouse name of Florida Gator football. Muschamp is a great recruiter so you put him in the mix with the Florida name and recruiting shouldn't fall off from the Urban Meyer era. I'm just curious to see what kind of head coach Muschamp will be. This is the unknown part but Florida thinks he's the perfect guy for the job.

There were other names thrown around like Dan Mullen, Bob Stoops, even Larry Fedora from Southern Miss was in the mix. I guess we'll never know if Muschamp was the number one guy from the beginning but he'll have his chance to make a statement in 2011. Right now I feel like Florida might have missed the boat with this hire. I feel like Florida could have convinced another head coach to come on board even with those expectations they have. They've got the money and the talent to win right now. I don't know if Muschamp will be the guy. As a Gamecock fan I hope he falls flat on his face but it's hard to do at Florida. He should be successful but we'll have to see if he's Urban Meyer successful or Ron Zook successful.

I also thought Gene Chizik would be a disaster and we see what happened there.

USC QB Recruiting Update

2010-12-10T16:43:00.002-05:00

South Carolina is down to two quarterbacks remaining in this 2011 class. One will be on campus this weekend and the other has set up his official visit for late January.

The first prospect is Tanner McEvoy. He's a New Jersey product who made the transition from wide receiver to quarterback. McEvoy had plenty of interest at the wide receiver position but USC was enamored with his abilities at the quarterback level and have recruited him for that position. Other schools have followed suit and have been after McEvoy as well. He's a tall, athlete player around 6'6" and 205 pounds. He could certainly gain some weight in college and still be an effective player in a spread style offense. South Carolina has a real good shot at McEvoy as they seemed to be one of the first to offer him a chance as a quarterback at the next level. Other schools to worry about here are UNC and Rutgers to name a few.

The other prospect is Jacoby Brissett. There's been a recent pickup in Brissett's interest from USC and the efforts are definitely giving them a shot to land him. Brissett plans to make a visit to USC on January 21st when a lot of other prospects will make some official visits. Brissett's a talented player who is ranked in the Top 100 Rivals.com overall recruit rankings. As a player, he seems to fit well in the type of offense USC likes to run. He seems to be more ready to play the quarterback position than McEvoy but might not have quite the upside as McEvoy has in development. He's still a good player and one USC would love to have. Brissett seems pretty high on Florida State, USC's Chick Fil-A Bowl opponent, and will be tough to be to land his services.

USC will not sign both players. They don't have the numbers to do so and should only count on one being in this class. I think USC's efforts towards McEvoy will pay off and ultimately land the talented signal-caller from New Jersey. I would be happy to have either player and if Brissett decided USC was the place for him and wanted to commit first then USC may jump on that chance. Either guy would be good for Carolina but if you had to expect to land one then McEvoy is your man.

Here's an article from PalmettoSports.com on Brissett and a bit on McEvoy:

USC gets Brissett lined up for visit
By Phil Kornblut

USC will have one quarterback prospect on campus this weekend for an official visit in Tanner McEvoy. And in January the Gamecocks are scheduled to have their other quarterback target in for a visit. Jacoby Brissett (6-5 235) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL set an official visit of January 21st with recruiter Jeep Hunter earlier this week when Hunter made a stop by his school. Brisesett has taken a visit to Wisconsin. He's also been looking at North Carolina, Notre Dame, LSU, Florida State and South Florida. Florida State is expected to be the strongest competition for the Gamecocks. Brissett also is a basketball prospect and USC has offered in that sport as well.

12/9 WHBK Radio Appearance

2010-12-09T18:42:00.002-05:00

Hey folks. As usual, today was Radio Show Thursday on 1460 WHBK in Marshall, North Carolina with host Chris Kelly and myself. It's a shorter segment today as the college football season is taking a break but we did discuss the Army/Navy game along with the Urban Meyer resignation, and a few other things. Hopefully you got to listen live but if not I've got the recording ready for you to listen below.

Here is a player that will allow you to listen to today's broadcast from 12/9(be sure to let it load and then start it around the 5:00 minute mark):

Be sure to click the link at the top of the page for "Radio And Podcast Links" to find the rest of the shows I've done every week since the beginning of September.

George Rogers Heisman Vote

2010-12-09T13:03:00.003-05:00

George Rogers, USC's lone Heisman winner, announced his Heisman votes yesterday. He picked Cam Newton as his Heisman Trophy winner. A shock to no one at this point after Newton's performance all year long was one of the greatest in college football. His second place choice was Stanford's QB Andrew Luck. He's certainly a deserving player and has put up some impressive numbers leading Stanford to the BCS. His third place vote though should make Gamecock fans happy. He gave Marcus Lattimore his third place vote.

Rogers seems to think highly of Lattimore and being picked for the Heisman has to be an honor for the talented freshman. It's obvious how important Lattimore is for the USC offense and he put up some very impressive numbers in the toughest league in college football. Lattimore broke several freshman and school records as a running back and is expected to get better and better with age.

Obviously this pick by Rogers may be a bit biased but it's not as crazy it may seem. He's just getting a head start on the Lattimore for Heisman campaign that could start in a year or two.

Florida Recruits: Will Any Switch?

2010-12-09T12:50:00.004-05:00

Florida is one of the top jobs in the country. It's in a perfect location for recruiting. Steve Spurrier built it into a big name program and Urban Meyer continued the legacy of Florida Gators football. His resignation yesterday came as a bit of a surprise and will certainly cause a lot of schools to jump on the phones and start calling Florida commitments and recruits. They are having another fantastic year in recruiting with some big time names on board already. Are there any that may be thinking of dropping Florida and looking elsewhere? Cockytalk's Recruiting Moderator CoverTwo has a good thread started here that lists the prospects USC has offered that are currently Florida Gator commitments. Here's the list for quick reference below:

Mike Blakely
A.C. Leonard
Ryan Shazier
Trip Thurman
Nick Waisome
Chris "Juice" Johnson
Hunter Joyer
De'Ante "Papa" Saunders

Mike Blakely is a high profile RB that had a top 3 of Florida, Auburn, and USC. If Blakely were to look around, Auburn would probably benefit the most. AC Leonard is one of the top TE prospects in the country. Leonard most likely would take a look at Alabama should he decide to decommit. Trip Thurman is an OL USC recruited pretty heavily but missed out on from Delaware. I would expect Trip to stick with UF. Chris Johnson had really high interest in USC at the DB position and could possibly get another look from the Gamecocks if he were to decide that Florida might not be the place now that Meyer is gone. The question is would USC have a place for him. Sheldon Royster seems to be the main focus now for the Gamecocks on their DB board and will probably stick with recruiting him instead of Johnson.

The most interesting name on this list is Nick Waisome. Waisome has a teammate who is currently commited to USC in Jordan Montgomery. Both players are extremely close and discussed the idea of playing together in college. Waisome is a guy who could potentially take an official visit and USC would be expected to get a shot at bringing him in. I believe of all the guys on this list, Waisome is the best shot. However, I think it's a long shot for him to switch to USC. Florida State would probably be the best landing spot for Waisome. USC has a chance though and having Montgomery on board already and plugging his ear with all things USC will help.

Florida has been a great area recruiting wise for South Carolina and the uncertainty at Florida and Miami will help USC in their efforts of pulling talent from the state. Florida State could see a rise in interest from the local products as the stability there seems greater than both of those schools so Jimbo Fisher and company could be on the rise to national relevance again after capturing the ACC Atlantic Division title.

Either way, expect this to help USC with guys who are uncommitted but looking at Florida and don't be surprised if a prospect or two pops up on the board for the Gamecocks.

Two Former Gamecocks Find A New Home

2010-12-09T09:42:00.003-05:00

Two former South Carolina Gamecocks have some new homes in the NFL. Safety Emanuel Cook landed a deal with the New York Jets to fill a gap at safety due to recent injuries. Defensive End Clifton Geathers was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys.

Cook was signed by the Jets last year as an undrafted free agent and has spent time with the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and in the UFL with the Hartford Colonials. Cook is looking to help the Jets fill the loss of Jim Leonard and was added to the active roster on Wednesday.

Geathers has bounced around a few different places this year after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 6th round. He was one of the Browns final roster cuts this offseason and was picked up by Miami a bit later and played in one game before dropping to the practice squad. He was released by the Dolphins and added to the Cowboys roster just recently.

Good luck to both Cook and Geathers on their adventures in the NFL.

Spurrier Named SEC Coach of the Year

2010-12-08T16:53:00.003-05:00

Steve Spurrier was named the SEC Coach of the Year today by the rest of the coaches in the SEC. He won the honor by going 9-4 this season with a trip to the SEC Championship Game. This is the first time USC had made it to the championship after winning the SEC East title in mid-November in a clash against the Florida Gators.

Spurrier won the award over Auburn head coach Gene Chizik, who has the Auburn Tigers sitting at 13-0 and in the BCS National Championship Game. It's a bit of a surprise considering the year Auburn has had but maybe the coaches realize what kind of job Spurrier is doing at USC and thus rewarded him for his efforts.

Congratulations to Coach Spurrier for his award.

In other news, Marcus Lattimore received the Coaches SEC Freshman of the Year award as well today. It's another honor for the talented freshman running back from Byrnes.

Urban Meyer Resigns

2010-12-08T14:58:00.002-05:00

Add the University of Florida to the list of schools needed a new head coach. Urban Meyer has resigned from Florida, again, to focus on his family and his health. This is all according to a statement released by the university this afternoon.

Meyer stepped down towards the end of last December for health reasons after the SEC Title Game but ended up coming right back and say he would still coach Florida. He was said to take a little vacation time in the early months of 2010 but was re-energized for spring practice this year. This seasons saw the Gators finish 7-5 losing out to South Carolina for the East title and then getting demolished by in-state rival Florida State in the last game of the season.

It's an interesting story that we all saw last year. This, however, seems like it may stick. Florida will be the top job on the market this year and will have plenty of suitors. People like Dan Mullen will be mentioned for the Gators. There's other people like Charlie Strong with Florida ties that could be in the running. Whatever happens, it's sure to be one to follow in the coming months.

I'm just led to believe this isn't the last we will see of Urban Meyer either. He'll be back somewhere coaching relatively soon.

Lattimore Named Rivals.com Freshman of the Year

2010-12-08T12:15:00.003-05:00

This is getting old.

Okay I'm just kidding. I love this kid.

Marcus Lattimore was named Rivals.com Freshman of the Year today. He's obviously racking up the award nominations and there's no doubt the influence he's had on the offense this year. He certainly is a big reason for our success and he deserves all the accolades he gets because he's a great talent and great individual.

Lattimore was also named to the 3rd team for the Rivals.com All-American honors. You can see that the outside world thinks very highly of Marcus Lattimore and his talents and he produced this season. It's a good thing he became a Gamecock as it's hard to imagine this offense without his talent around.

Congrats to Marcus on the honors.

Also of note is Alshon Jeffery was named to the 1st team Rivals.com All-American list as well. He's joined with Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles on the list. It's convenient that these three players are also the finalists for the Biletnikoff Award. Congrats to Alshon as well.

Bowl Gifts For Players

2010-12-08T11:55:00.005-05:00

Every bowl game is like a mini-vacation for football players. They get to go out of town, stay in a nice hotel, and get all kinds of stuff. The only difference is all of this is paid for and the players just show up. These bowl games give out a variety of gifts depending upon the level of bowl game. The more prestigious the bowl game is the better the gifts turn out to be. The NCAA lets the sponsors gift up to a certain amount while the universities are allowed to give gifts up to an amount as well. This article from the Sports Business Journal gives you an idea of all the gifts the players will receive for playing in these bowl games. You can find the article here.

Here are the gifts USC and FSU will receive for making it to the Chick Fil-A Bowl(the categories are as follow: electronics, watch, apparel, luggage, and other)

$250 Best Buy gift card

Fossil

Russell Athletic knit cap

Russell Athletic

travel bag

Commemorative football, Chick-fil-A gift card

The Meineke Car Bowl where Clemson and South Florida will play did not disclose the gifts they will give out to the players. The Capital One Bowl might have the best electronic gift with a $420 dollar Best Buy gift card. I would love to have that if I was a player.

Gamecock Recruiting Updates

2010-12-08T09:41:00.006-05:00

We are getting closer and closer to National Signing Day and the Gamecocks are trying their best to finish this recruiting class in a strong fashion. USC coaches are hitting the road this week making some visits while the football team has a little break. A lot of recruits are expected to get visits so there could be all kinds of news hitting the Internet soon enough. There are a few updates on some prospects USC has been recruiting and one set looks close to becoming Gamecocks. Check it out below:

McEachern teammates close on USC commitments
By Phil Kornblut

DB Marcquis Roberts and TE Rory Anderson of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA are on the verge of making their commitments to USC. The two met with Gamecock recruiter GA Mangus Monday night. Both have taken their official visits to USC. Roberts is scheduled for an official visit to Cincinnati this weekend. Anderson said Monday he's not planning to make any more visits. The two have not yet pinned down an actual date for making their pledges. Roberts, who has family in Columbia, and Anderson have been favoring the Gamecocks throughout the recruiting period.

-Both Marcquis Roberts and Rory Anderson look like they are headed to USC. South Carolina has needs at these positions and both players fit what they want. Anderson looks to be a play-making TE that could fill the void left from Jared Cook/Weslye Saunders and add another vertical threat to the Gamecocks passing game. Roberts is making a visit this weekend but has no others planned. There is no timeframe for a decision but I really think this could come in a few weeks. Expect both guys to end up as Gamecocks.

Tuesday notes from North-South practice

By Phil Kornblut
RB Brandon Wilds of Blythewood, a USC commitment, said he is not taking any more visits and will enroll at USC next month. Wilds said he will not take an official visit to Arkansas as was reported here. He acknowledged that Arkansas had been talking to him about visiting but he decided he was finished with recruiting.

-There are a few notes from this article from Phil Kornblut but the most important one is the update on Brandon Wilds. Wilds was reported as taking a visit to Arkansas this upcoming weekend but according to the new information, Wilds will not take any more visits and will enroll at USC in January. He's a bigger back who can hopefully fill Brian Maddox's role with the team as a true freshman and the early start will help him get a head start on gaining playing time early.

McEvoy ready for USC visit

By Eric Guimaraes

QB Tanner McEvoy (6-6 205) of Oradell, NJ will take an official visit to USC this weekend, his first. He will then visit Michigan the following weekend, North Carolina on January 7th, and Rutgers on January 21st. "I'm just going to try and get a feel for the schools and then I'll come up with my favorites," said McEvoy. He has received several visits at his school since last week. Rutgers was in on Tuesday, Boston College last Thursday, Michigan has been in twice and, North Carolina was in on Friday. He says Michigan will visit again. McEvoy has family that are graduates of USC and is familiar with the city and the campus. He does not have a favorite.

-Tanner McEvoy is finally getting into his official visits. This QB prospect from New Jersey just recently finished his football season and is now getting out and making his visits. McEvoy will be making his first official visit to South Carolina this weekend. He should be expected to have plenty of attention from the coaching staff as there won't be a whole lot of distractions going on. There won't be a football practice to watch as the team is on break till December 16th but he should be able to get a really good feel for USC and everything it has to offer. I think this one will last till the end of January so I wouldn't expect a decision in the near future.

Councell shuts it down

By Phil Kornblut

DE Ben Councell (6-5 230) of Asheville, NC committed to Notre Dame last June but in recent months he started to check out some other options including USC. He made an unofficial visit to Columbia in late October and talked about setting an official visit with the Gamecocks. But he made his official visit to Notre Dame this past weekend with his parents and decided after that to stick with the Irish. "He's pretty strong on his commitment to them," said his coach Shane Laws. "They answered all of his concerns. He feels good about his decision and he's going to Notre Dame." Laws contacted his USC recruiter Shawn Elliott Monday and told him of Concell's decision.

-Take Ben Councell off the board. USC was recruiting him in hopes of switching his commitment but a recent visit to Notre Dame assured him of his status with the Fighting Irish and will end up staying committed. He would have been a good player to land and upgrade the talent level but USC will have to move on from here.

USC's season should show some of these recruits that they can compete at a high level in the SEC and I expect this recruiting class to be highly ranked when it's all said and done. There are still plenty of top-notch talent remaining for USC and only a few spots left. The numbers game is going to be fun to watch to see who makes it in and who signs with USC. I guess this is why we all love recruiting so much.

More Awards For The Gamecocks

2010-12-07T15:39:00.003-05:00

The awards and recognition keep coming for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Today we find out some of our players made the All-SEC Coaches team and our star running back is named the CBSSports.com Freshman of the Year.

Marcus Lattimore was named the CBSSports.com Freshman of the Year today in a unanimous vote. The star freshman beat out UGA QB Aaron Murray and Wisconsin RB James White. Lattimore has rushed for 1,198 yards so far this season heading into the Chick Fil-A Bowl.

The Coaches All-SEC picks included 6 Gamecocks today. Making the first team are Marcus Lattimore at RB, Alshon Jeffery at WR, and Stephon Gilmore at CB. Both Lattimore and Jeffery have been named to many awards list this season and Gilmore was named to the All-SEC 2nd team by the AP yesterday. Three other Gamecocks found their names on the second team and those players are OL Garrett Chisholm, DE Cliff Matthews, and DE Devin Taylor. Chisholm is currently up for the Rudy Award right now and Devin Taylor was recently honored as an All-SEC pick by the AP as well. Cliff Matthews has had a productive career at USC and this is a well deserved honor for the senior from Cheraw.

Congratulations to all of these Gamecocks on their honors so far. Check out USCsports.com for stories on their front page.

Rivals.com Bowl Ranknings

2010-12-07T10:40:00.004-05:00

Rivals.com has ranked all 35 of the FBS bowls that will take place between December 18th with the New Mexico Bowl all the way to the BCS National Title game on January 10th. Here's a few notes from Rivals on bowl games of interest to the Gamecock nation:

30. Meineke Car Care Bowl, Clemson (6-6) vs. USF (7-5), Dec. 31: Neither team has much of an offense and both have solid defenses. In other words, to get through this one, you may need to start your New Year's Eve festivities a lot earlier than you had planned.

25. Music City Bowl, North Carolina (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6), Dec. 30: This will be a quasi-home game for the Vols, as the game is in Nashville. UNC was supposed to play Tennessee in a regular-season series starting next fall, but the Vols bought their way out of the matchup. Will karma play a role in this one?

18. Outback Bowl, Florida (7-5) vs. Penn State (7-5), Jan. 1: Two big-name programs, but neither had a good season because both offenses are mediocre.

14. Liberty Bowl, Georgia (6-6) vs. UCF (10-3), Dec. 31: UCF is strong defensively and has a solid offense. There is a lot of noise being made about the Big East looking at the Knights as an expansion target, and beating a team from the SEC sure wouldn't hurt. Georgia's pass-catch combination of Aaron Murray and A.J. Green is one of the best.

10. Chick-fil-A Bowl, Florida State (9-4) vs. South Carolina (9-4), Dec. 31: Too bad it's not Bowden-Spurrier, but, hey, the ol' ball coach still doesn't like the Seminoles. We can think of far worse ways to end 2010 than watching this one. Plus, it's the ACC championship game loser vs. the SEC championship game loser, so there is some league pride on the line.

7. Gator Bowl, Michigan (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (8-4), Jan. 1: This should be a good one. Michigan has been able to move the ball on just about everybody, but the Wolverines could find the going tough in this one. Mississippi State is underrated defensively. The Bulldogs' rushing attack is a good one, too. And there might be a coaching lesson in this one, too. On one side is Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, the current "it" coach. On the other sideline will be Rich Rodriguez, who used to be the "it" coach.

6. Capital One, Alabama (9-3) vs. Michigan State (11-1), Jan. 1: Nick Saban gets to go against another former employer; Saban already lost to LSU this season. Michigan State is ticked it's not in the BCS. Can the Spartans prove their point against the defending national champs? One thing is for sure: Because the Citrus Bowl stadium now has artificial turf, we won't have a repeat of last season's turf debacle when LSU and Penn State met in this bowl.

5. Cotton Bowl, LSU (10-2) vs. Texas A&M (9-3), Jan. 7: This one is on Friday night in prime time. These teams used to be annual rivals. And it's also a matchup of coaches who have gone through some ebbs and flows with their fan bases.

4. Sugar Bowl, Arkansas (10-2) vs. Ohio State (11-1), Jan. 4: Arkansas comes in having won six in a row, and Ohio State has won five in a row. Only two teams have thrown for more than 200 yards against Ohio State, and no one has thrown for more than 232. Arkansas has thrown for at least 251 in each game, and has hit the 350-yard plateau four times.

1. BCS national championship game, Auburn (13-0) vs. Oregon (12-0), Jan. 10: This should be a shootout on the scale of Texas-USC. Can either defense make more than three stops? If so, that might be the deciding factor.

There are some pretty good bowl games that the SEC is involved with this year. I think the Arkansas-Ohio State game could turn out to be pretty interesting. The big one is, of course, Auburn-Oregon. A game that will match two outstanding offenses together should provide for some fireworks that night. They aren't the big names that we are used to seeing like Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, etc. but this game should be entertaining. The Alabama-Michigan State game provides a matchup of Nick Saban going up against his former school in Michigan State.

I had to put the Clemson bowl game in there. USC fans love to see Clemson in misery and the Meineke Car Care Bowl against South Florida probably makes them feel good about being in the Chick Fil-A Bowl now.

Gamecock Bowl Practice

2010-12-07T09:40:00.002-05:00

The South Carolina Gamecocks will be taking a little break during this holiday season before returning to the practice fields. According to a player on Twitter, USC won't return to the Proving Grounds till December 16th.

The Gamecocks will be preparing to face Florida State in the Chick Fil-A Bowl on Decemember 31st in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome. This will be USC's second trip to the Georgia Dome this month after losing to Auburn this past weekend in the SEC Championship Game.

USC Win/Loss Predictions Recap

2010-12-06T16:49:00.005-05:00

Everyone loves the preseason. We all love the uncertainty and the opportunity it brings to our favorite school of choice. There is always the hope that this year is really "Next Year." Well, I made some predictions before our season opener this year against Southern Miss and decided it's time to go back and recap those predictions. Here's the original post I made with all of my predictions. I did a recap of the first quarter of games USC played and you can find that info here. I stopped with the Auburn game at that point and had USC at 3-1 at the point. So far so good with those predictions. Let's take a look at the rest of the season shall we?

Game 5
USC vs. Alabama
-I predicted USC would lose to Alabama by a score of 24-20. I felt like this would be a close game at the time and it only got close right after the start of the 4th quarter but USC really stepped up in this one. Carolina won 35-20 on the wheels of Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery. Defense got to Greg McElroy 7 times for the sack and they produced a heck of an effort up front to slow down the Alabama run game. This was an impressive game and a victory of the #1 ranked Crimson Tide. Great day for Carolina football.

Game 6
USC vs. Kentucky
-I predicted USC would win a close game 31-24 and part of that score is right. It's too bad Kentucky was the one with 31 points. They found a way to hang in this game after Lattimore went out with an injury in the 2nd half. He put up some impressive numbers in the 1st half and was well on his way to a career game. USC led by 18 at halftime with 3 turnovers and looked prime for the win. Unfortunately the offense shut down in the 2nd half and Kentucky threw the ball extremely well getting the win within the last minute of the football game. This is a game that will haunt USC fans for a long time. USC loses 31-28.

Game 7
USC vs. Vanderbilt
-I predicted a USC victory over Vanderbilt 28-13 earlier and was a bit off. USC struggled in this game in the 1st half finally getting to a 7-7 tie right before halftime. Brian Maddox had a big coming out party, in place of Marcus Lattimore, and rushed for career highs in carries and yards. USC eventually won 21-7 and finally got their first SEC road win since 2008.

Game 8
USC vs. Tennessee
-Before the season started I predicted a USC win over Tennessee 28-14. This game ended up being a bit closer than we'd hoped but USC pulled out the win. It also turned out to be a bit more high scoring with USC winning 38-24. Tennessee's passing game kept this game close but Marcus Lattimore was once again a difference in this football game.

Game 9
USC vs. Arkansas
-This is a game I got wrong. I predicted USC would win 28-27 in a shootout. Well it was a shootout alright....for Arkansas. Ryan Mallett and the Hogs dug a new hole into the USC defense and won 41-20 over the Gamecocks. This would turn out to be the Gamecocks only home loss this year.

Game 10
USC vs. Florida
-I predicted USC would lose on the road to Florida by a score of 31-21. Boy I'm glad I was wrong. I thought Florida's offense would be on a roll right now and would be too tough for the Gamecocks. I was completely wrong here. USC dominated all aspects of this football game and won 36-14. This game ended up being a very important one as it clinched the SEC East division for the Gamecocks.

Game 11
USC vs. Troy
-I thought Carolina would win this one pretty easily and predicted a score of 35-17. I was way off. USC had this game won in the 1st quarter as they rolled a 56-7 halftime lead against the Trojans. South Carolina had some help defensively and got a lot of rest for the starters. A great way to follow up the game the prior weekend against Florida. Final score was 63-24.

Game 12
USC vs. Clemson
-I gave Clemson's offense too much credit here. I predicted USC would win 24-17 in a close game and turns out the final score was 29-7 in favor of the Gamecocks. USC got a 29-7 lead early in the 3rd quarter and essentially just sat on the football and ran the clock as they knew they had a big game ahead for the SEC Championship. It was a good win for USC as it pushed them to back-to-back wins over their rival for the first time since 1969-1970.

So if you are counting at home, I predicted USC would be 9-3 and 5-3 in the SEC. Turns out I did a pretty good job. Of course I was wrong about the Alabama game which is good for USC. I thought Florida would be a tough loss for Carolina and would keep them from the SEC East title but luckily it didn't. The Arkansas game turned out to be a tough one for us but the Razorbacks ended up in the BCS bowls as an at-large team so it's tough to say we should have won that.

I didn't think 5-3 would be enough to win the SEC East in my earlier predictions. I figured Florida would be able to have a much better season and win 6 games in the SEC. I'm sure it's not quite as common to have a 5-3 conference champion in the SEC but this year it did. I'm not complaining though. I truly feel USC was the best overall team this year in their performances in the East and they deserved to play in Atlanta. Obviously the SEC Title game turned into a blowout but you've got to be happy with the progress. This team is young enough and talented enough to get back there the next couple of years with the coaches they have in place so the future is bright for South Carolina.

We should be happy with 9 wins this year. We defeated Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson, and Florida all in the same year. We played in the SEC Championship Game. We've got amazing young talent. These are all things that should keep the fan base energized for the bowl game. It's been a great season and there is still time to put the finishing touch on it with a win in the Chick Fil-A Bowl. The opportunity for 10 wins is rare around here and if this team can accomplish it in Atlanta on New Year's Eve then we should all embrace this year as the Year of the Gamecock.

Bad News Concerning Edward Muldrow

2010-12-06T16:29:00.004-05:00

USC commitment Edward Muldrow is apparently in some trouble. The young man from Georgia was arrested on 11/23 for driving with a suspended license, possession of drugs, and an expired tag. This is being reported by the AJC in Atlanta.

Muldrow is a 3-star linebacker from Snellville, Georgia who garnered offers from North Carolina, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and a few others. He's listed as the #43 outside linebacker in the country and the #42 ranked prospect overall in the state of Georgia.

This is obviously pretty early to tell his scholarship status as our staff generally waits for all the information before making a final decision so it's tough to speculate at this point. It certainly doesn't sound like a good situation for Muldrow at all but we'll wait for further word on whether or not Muldrow will be joining the Gamecocks next fall in light of his arrest.

Lattimore AP Freshman Of The Year; Other Gamecocks Honored

2010-12-06T14:38:00.004-05:00

Marcus Lattimore has been named the AP SEC Freshman of the Year for his performance this season. Lattimore, a true freshman from Byrnes High School, finished second in rushing yards this season in the SEC with 1198 yards with 19 total touchdowns. He finished right behind presumed Heisman favorite Cam Newton from Auburn.

There were also a few other Gamecocks named to the All-SEC first team today and that would be WR Alshon Jeffery and DE Devin Taylor. Both Gamecocks have had remarkable years with Jeffery leading the league in receiving yards and Taylor with his overall defensive performance this season.

Congratulations to all three Gamecocks as I'm sure this won't be the last time we'll be mentioning these guys when it comes to naming all conference teams and other player of the year honors.

Here's an AP story on the announcement.

Interesting Stat Concerning Schedule

2010-12-06T10:55:00.003-05:00

Here's a pretty interesting statistic that's been floating around that brings to light the type of schedule USC played this year. 10 of the 12 teams on USC's schedule made a bowl game this year. The only two not to make is Furman, an FCS opponent, and SEC rival Vanderbilt.

I think that's pretty amazing to see if I don't say so myself. Granted some of the teams ended up with average seasons is still interesting to see that 10 of the 12 teams you played this year will be playing in the postseason. Our strength of schedule has to look pretty good right now and this should give Gamecock fans a little smile on their face after the loss this past weekend. We've played a tough schedule and still have an opportunity for a 10-win season.

USC Drops In The Rankings

2010-12-06T08:39:00.002-05:00

South Carolina took a fall in the rankings this weekend after their blowout loss in the SEC Title Game against Auburn 56-17. USC dropped 1 spot in the AP Poll going from 19th to 20th. They fell 4 spots in the USA Today/Coaches Poll from 16th to 20th. USC will be looking to regroup in the coming weeks to prepare for the Chick Fil-A Bowl against ACC Runner-up Florida State. This game is one of only 3 matchups in the non-BCS bowl games where both teams are ranked.

USC vs. FSU in Chick Fil-A Bowl

2010-12-05T18:22:00.003-05:00

I hope Gamecock fans enjoyed their most recent trip to Atlanta. They will be headed back there at the end of the month. The Chick Fil-A Bowl has selected USC as it's SEC representative to take on the ACC runner-up in Florida State. On paper this appears to be an intriguing matchup. It's pits the Gamecock's head coach Steve Spurrier against an old rival from Florida in Florida State. This is always the school he once referred to as "Free Shoes University."

This will be USC's first trip to this bowl game since 1969 after they won the ACC Championship. USC's game yesterday certainly put some bad feelings in their minds based on the way they played but the school has a chance to get to 10 wins for just the second time in school history. South Carolina has a lot to play for in this bowl game and this could be one of the better prime-time matchups for the bowl games outside of the BCS games.

I believe there will be a conference call between the coaches and bowl representatives later tonight and there could be some more announcements coming out including ticket information for those that didn't pre-order for bowl tickets by November 15th. If we find the info, we'll be sure to pass it along.

ESPN SEC Press Release

2010-12-04T08:53:00.003-05:00

I received this email yesterday evening and I thought I would share it for those last minute plans to hit the SEC fanfare before the big event. Here's the email below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3-4, 2010 (Event Dates)

CONTACT:
Dan Lobring
rEvolution
(312) 529-5833
dlobring@revolutionworld.com

ESPNU 2010 College GameDay Tour Coming to Atlanta for the SEC Championship
Customized Minibus with DJ Booth, Body Painting Station Headed to
2010 Dr Pepper SEC Football FanFare on Friday and Saturday, December 3-4, 2010

WHO: The “ESPNU College GameDay Tour” is a new experiential marketing tour, featuring a fully customized ESPNU minibus, will include a DJ booth, as well as a college-themed body and face painting station where students can pick their school colors each week to display their school spirit.

WHAT: The ESPNU College GameDay Tour will be located in the Georgia World Congress Center, Halls C1, C2 & C3, from 1:00 PM - 9 PM on Friday, December 3, and 8:00 AM – 4 PM ET on Saturday, December 4, prior to the Auburn vs. South Carolina game. At each tour stop fans will be able to listen to a live DJ, and visit the painting station before kickoff to uniquely express their true fandom in the stands. The tour will also include several LED televisions showing live coverage of the College GameDay telecasts (televised on ESPNU from 9 – 10 AM ET and ESPN 10 AM to noon). Throughout the event ESPNU event staff will be distributing ESPNU giveaways to fans, including T-shirts, lanyards and koozies. Another focal point of each stop will be the ESPNU monument (a 24-foot tall monument designed in the likeness of the ESPNU logo), which will be prominently displayed on each host campus throughout the weekend.

WHEN:
Friday, December 3, 2010
1:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET

Saturday, December 4, 2010
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET
College GameDay airs at 9 AM ET on ESPNU and ESPNU HD and from 10 AM ET to noon on ESPN and ESPN HD. The Auburn vs. South Carolina game kicks off at 4:00 PM ET on CBS.


WHERE:
Georgia World Congress Center
1 Georgia Dome Drive Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30313

The ESPNU College GameDay Tour coincides with the announcement that ESPN's College GameDay is expanding to three hours this season, providing an extra hour of college football analysis, news and features every Saturday. College GameDay airs at 9 AM ET this fall on ESPNU and ESPNU HD and from 10 AM ET to noon on ESPN and ESPN HD.

The ESPNU College GameDay Tour is free to attend and fans of all ages are welcome to participate.

rEvolution 600 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 220 | Chicago, Illinois 60654
Phone 312.529.5850 | Fax 312.529.5851 | Email news@rEvolutionworld.com | Web rEvolutionworld.com

Life Of A Gamecock is in ATL!!

2010-12-03T21:41:00.002-05:00

This blogger has made it to Atlanta. Sorry for the lack of posting today as it was a busy day preparing to get ready to make the trip this afternoon. It wasn't too bad of a drive and got into town early evening. We are hanging out in thee Perimeter area of Atlanta right now as our hotel is here and I must say this area is pretty nice.

Anyways, i just wanted to let you guys know that I'll be doing my best to do some tweets and pictures from the game tomorrow afternoon and probably some fanfare stuff too. So if you are on Twitter be sure to follow me @lifeofagamecock. I'll be glad to share anything and everything i experience with you guys.

Thanks for everyone that takes a minute to read the blog. I certainly appreciate it and hope everyone enjoys posts and comments on Gamecock athletics. Let's bring home the win tomorrow! Go Cocks!

Quick Leon Mackey Update

2010-12-03T21:25:00.002-05:00

Leon Mackey has been all over the place as far as his recruitment goes. He was part of Viriginia Tech's class a few years ago. He then didn't qualify and tried to switch to Clemson. An ACC rule about going to another school while having signed a letter of intent to another ACC school saw him end up signing with USC this past year due to a close relationship with Lorenzo Ward. He's now in junior college going through the recruiting cycle yet again and has a few options on the table.

USC has extended their hand out to Mackey again and had him on campus recently. He had another good official visit to USC and was more than likely a guy USC would add if his grades checked out. I believe thats still the case but he's still taking a look at other schools and is visiting Alabama this weekend. Alabama has a lot to sell to Mackey with all of their traditiion so it's going to be interesting to see how this visit goes and what Mackey is thinking afterwards.

South Carolina has plenty of other options they are recruiting on the defensive line so Mackey isn't a must have. He's certainly a good talent who could contribute immediately but it's a tough call right now on his academics and they may end up having to pass if other options want to become part of the 2011 class.

Kendric Salley Commits To USC

2010-12-03T21:17:00.003-05:00

It was mentioned a few days ago on this blog after news came out that Kendric Salley was close to committing to USC. Word pretty much alluded to that decision being real soon. Is today soon enough for you? Salley verbally committed to USC to be the first player in the 2012 class. Salley has had a phenonomal season at Williston-Elko rushing for over 2000 yards this season and should be expected to be a top player in the state of South Carolina for the 2012 recruiting cycle.

Phil Kornblut of PalmettoSports.com reported the commitment early this morning but the story was retracted this morning shortly afterwards. Official word came out this afternoon from all the Gamecock sites so Salley's commitment is in the books. He looks to be a player that will start out as a 3-star recruit who could potentially move up. Great solid pickup for USC and a good way to get a head start on a recruiting class for 2012.

Picture of the Day

2010-12-02T18:37:00.003-05:00

For post #1200 for this guy I decided to put up a picture today that has never seen these two things come together until now. Check it out.

If you didn't catch it, it's USC and the Georgia Dome for the SEC Title Game. Let's hope you did though!

Gamecock Fans: Do this NOW!!

2010-12-02T18:08:00.003-05:00

USC's very own Garrett Chisholm is up for the Rudy Award. The award is named for the famous Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger that walked on to the Notre Dame team and became a legend capped off with a movie titled "Rudy." The award is given to the player who gives "something extra" to the team. Here's what Rudy is looking for in this honor:

Rudy wanted to find the most inspirational and motivational players in America who best defined what he refers to as "The Four C's": Character, Courage, Contribution & Commitment.

This would be a much deserving honor for an amazing young man. Garrett Chisholm came into USC as an unknown walking on to the football team who ended up becoming entrenched as a starter. He's been a phenomenal player and teammate for USC and just brings that something extra to the field every time he steps onto the field. Not only has he done that but Garrett has suffered some heartache this year as well. Chisholm suffered the loss of both parents this year. Can you imagine having to lose not one but two parents and it be in the same year? This young man has been through a lot but has overcome all of this to become a valuable member on the SEC East champion South Carolina Gamecocks.

I'm sure there are plenty of players on the list that deserve this award. I just think us Gamecock fans need to show our support for one of our own and vote him to the top. Follow this link to vote for Garrett. Travis Haney of the Post and Courier spearheaded this movement on Twitter and it's making the rounds.

Let's do this for Garrett. Even if he doesn't win being able to put him in the running would be a great accomplishment and show Garrett how much the Gamecock nation loves him.

12/2 WHBK Radio Appearance

2010-12-02T17:52:00.002-05:00

Earlier this evening I joined Chris Kelly on 1460 WHBK in Marshall, North Carolina for another edition of College Football Insider Radio. Yes, I'm called a College Football Insider....which is crazy. Anyways, we talked about the upcoming championship games this weekend along with a little Gamecock basketball update as well.

If you didn't get the chance to listen in live then I've got the recording ready for you to listen below. It will be posted in the player on the right side of the page along with other broadcasts in the link at the top. This edition starts around the 2:00 minute mark so skip ahead a bit and listen away.

Latest USC Bowl Rumor

2010-12-02T10:33:00.003-05:00

Here is an article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette being sent around the Gamecock Internet message boards. This story mentions the Gamecocks and their likely destination for a bowl bid should USC lose to Auburn this weekend. The destination appears to be the Outback Bowl. They say that our name is the one mentioned most for the Outback Bowl in conjunction with Penn State.

I think this could be a fun matchup with the big draws being the head coaches. Seeing Coach Spurrier go up against the all-time leader in wins being coach Joe Paterno would certainly be a boost for TV ratings. The only problem is Gamecock fans may not want to travel like they would for somewhere else due to the fact they've been to the Outback Bowl 3 times since the year 2000. It's a great bowl and offers a solid matchup but you almost hate to be redundant and bowl game trips are usually vacations for some people and certainly don't want to see the same sites over and over.

I imagine USC would love to be in the Outback Bowl but you know some fans would be a bit upset. I'm sure most would prefer the Sugar Bowl since you beat Auburn to get there. I was thinking the Capital One Bowl would be a great destination for USC if it could happen. Maybe we should just beat Auburn and know exactly where we go....I think I could handle that.

Video of the Day

2010-12-02T10:31:00.001-05:00

Here is your latest video from Justin King Media. This one is centered around the Clemson game and is another excellent one to watch.

Gamecocks Set To Land 2012 Star

2010-12-01T19:24:00.003-05:00

USC is seeing it's winning ways pay off on the recruiting trail and it looks like they will get a head start on next year's recruiting class. Kendrick Salley of Williston-Elko is said to be close to committing to South Carolina as soon as this week. PalmettoSports.com has the article up after talking with Salley's head coach. Here's the article from Phil Konrblut:

Junior RB Kendrick Salley (5-10 215) of Williston-Elko likely will commit to USC before the end of this week his coach said Wednesday. Salley was offered by the Gamecocks last week. "I asked him yesterday, are you going to wait until after the holidays," coach Dwayne Garrick said. "He said, any day coach. It's just a matter of sitting down and making the call. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes that call tomorrow or Friday. He's absolutely ready to call them and move on. He doesn't want to go thru all the hoopla." USC was the first offer for Salley who rushed for 2157 yards and 36 touchdowns this season. He rushed for 1978 yards as a sophomore. "He has great cutback moves," his coach said. "He'll make a great zone back. He's durable. He has big legs and is heavy from the waist down. He runs good over over his pads." Clemson, Nebraska and UCLA are some of the other schools to show interest in Salley.

This looks to be a huge pickup for South Carolina. Salley looks like he'll be one of the top prospects in the state for the 2012 recruiting cycle and its great to get a jump start on next year's class. A high profile guy like Salley committing this early can help the recruiting class for a time to come.

Cam Newton Saga Over?

2010-12-01T12:49:00.003-05:00

The Cam Newton saga at Auburn appears to be officially over. The star QB looks to be fine eligibility wise and will have no further issues come up from the accusations that his father requested money for his son to sign a scholarship.

The NCAA restored Newton's eligibility today after the school made Cam ineligible yesterday following the NCAA saying that a violation of amateurism had occurred on Monday. I know it's tough to follow but stay with me. The NCAA states that once a player is found in violation that the school makes the player ineligible to play and can ask the NCAA to re-instate said player on their behalf. This is the scenario that played out for Auburn and Cam Newton and it looks like they are in the clear. Cam's father, Cecil, will have limited access to Auburn University and will not be allowed to communicate with Mississippi State University.

This is pretty big news. I guess we'll never know whether or not money actually exchanged hands but there seemed to be a lot of stories out there that all alluded to the same thing. I'm sure Auburn and it's fan base are excited that this ordeal is behind them and they won't need to worry about the upcoming SEC Title Game and potential National Title Game being all for nothing if the school was found guilty of NCAA violations.

Could this open up a can of worms as they say? Is this already going on places that we don't know about? It's pretty apparent that the investigation never played a role into Newton's play on the field but you know the young man is excited to have this behind him. I just hope he takes his talents to the NFL like the rest of the SEC.

Check out this NCAA.org article on Cam Newton's eligibility.

Party At The CLA!!

2010-12-01T12:14:00.003-05:00

If you are looking for a place to watch the big game this Saturday then head out to the Colonial Life Arena. The university is opening up the Colonial Life Arena at 3:00 PM to allow fans a chance to watch the game on the scoreboard. Concessions will be open for fans as well so if you feel like being around plenty of other Gamecocks then head on down to the Colonial Life Arena. CBS pre-game show will be at 3:00 PM and the game starts at 4:00 PM.

It probably won't be as good as being there in person but it's close!

Quick Kyle Parker Update

2010-11-30T21:57:00.003-05:00

I mentioned the Kyle Parker stuff that TigerIllustrated.com was reporting yesterday about his academic troubles and his availability for the bowl game later this year. Kyle Parker spoke to the media today to shoot down those rumors as he announced that he's not quitting this team and will be with it through the bowl game.

It was also announced that his family is planning on taking legal action against the website for reporting the academic issues. I'm not sure how that will end up working out for those guys but these sites all have their inside info and I'm sure there was some potential truth to what was being reported. I'm not saying the site was right but maybe there is a bit of concern there about his eligibility.

This really has no relevance anymore for USC as they won't face Parker again on the playing fields but I found this story pretty interesting and thought it was worth sharing. I mentioned yesterday that I think both Clemson and Parker should move on from this situation but good for Kyle Parker to stick it out and finish the year with his team. It's been a tough year for him and Clemson but you have to give him credit for finishing this tough season. I read where he had some cheers and boos at the basketball game tonight when receiving his CWS rings from their baseball run over the summer.

Kyle Parker....a guy who was considered by his head coach NFL-quality over the summer is now the scapegoat for all their problems. It's funny how these things work out sometimes.

Steve Spurrier Press Conference: Auburn SEC Championship Edition

2010-11-30T15:39:00.006-05:00

South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier held his weekly press conference as USC prepares for the SEC Championship for the first time in school history. The opponent is the Auburn Tigers led by Heisman favorite Cam Newton. Coach Spurrier seemed to be a in a good mood today as he should be. He's doing things at South Carolina that said could never be done. Let's have a quick look at some of Coach Spurrier's comments:

Coach Spurrier opened by saying how much of an honor it is to be one of the last two teams remaining. He said they are excited to be playing in Atlanta and working towards their first SEC Championship

He mentioned how Auburn plays well with the game on the line and that his team is looking forward to this challenge again for the second time this season. USC lost a close game in the 4th quarter thanks to turnovers the first time at Auburn.

The goal is to win the championship according to Spurrier. Not to play in Atlanta. He said they set goals that most people would laugh at but turns out they've done a great job at accomplishing many of them. He says they haven't finished this season at all yet. He knows the importance of this game and what it could do for the program. I think this shows Coach Spurrier is ready.

He doesn't think it's a big deal to play the same team twice in a season. He said winning the second one is obviously the important one. Been on both sides of winning and lose twice in the same year to teams.

He didn't talk about the gameplan but did say they can't run up the middle and get stuffed like they did the first time against Auburn. He said they have to find ways to stay on the football field. They can't expect the defense to hold them to 7 points although that would be excellent.

Mentioned how Stephen Garcia was a bit banged up. He said the trainer said it was best to rest him right now but thought they would let him throw it tomorrow.

He said talking about this game this weekend won't win it. He said we all know the significance of the what it means to USC but that doesn't mean we win. He said they are trying to talk about how to win this football game.

He said the key to Cam Newton is tackling well and maintaining position. Doesn't think it's an advantage to play him again.

He talked about how mature Marcus Lattimore was. He mentioned that he's such an even keel person. He said this game this weekend is what players like him, Stephon Gilmore, and Alshon Jeffery came to USC to be a part of.

He said they aren't certain what will happen this weekend. He says he doesn't know if any team can be certain.

Spurrier did say they can't just sit there with the lead and try to run the ball 3 times. Mentioned about what happened with Alabama last week. USC will have to try and continue to outscore Auburn every chance they get.

USCSports.com has video of the press conference along with player interviews as well to check out. Hit this link for more.

Jadeveon Clowney Update

2010-11-30T14:10:00.003-05:00

Jadeveon Clowney is the nation's top recruit for the 2011 class and he's on a lot of college recruiters wish list right now. Clowney is bound to make one team happy but for now it appears the wait will continue. Some news have come out on Clowney in the last few days and it's nothing major but certainly worth nothing.

Clowney will take an official visit to Florida State on January 7th. This date is tentative right now but it looks like he'll make the trip to Tallahassee. The Seminoles appear to be making a move with the top recruit and it's something that Alabama and South Carolina will be concerned with. FSU has a lot to sell Clowney on especially with the way the defense has performed. Brandon Jenkins has performed well at DE for the Seminoles as he's up to 12.0 sacks on the year. He's a sophomore so Clowney and Jenkins could form a tough pair on the already tough Seminole defense.

The other bit of news on Clowney is he's had some coaches swing by already and more are on the way. USC has already been in the house with Clowney and his family. They stopped by on Sunday after the win over Clemson. Alabama's head coach Nick Saban is planning an in-home visit on Tuesday evening with Clowney and I believe Ohio State is making a trip to see him as well. Nick Saban and Alabama are the main threats, to me, for the Gamecocks. Alabama has a lot to sell to Clowney. The good thing is so does USC. The success they've had on the year so far certainly helps aide their efforts and proves to Clowney that USC is a championship-caliber team. If he were to come to USC then the defense and overall roster would benefit greatly.

Positives/Negatives from Clemson Game

2010-11-30T11:52:00.006-05:00

South Carolina did something that haven't done in 40 years this past weekend. That was to beat rival Clemson two years in a row. USC did so with a passing game consisting of primarily Alshon Jeffery and solid defense. This team didn't play it's best game against the Tigers and they still won by 22 points. It's encouraging to see how this team has come together the last few weeks on offense and defense and they will need that this weekend against Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers. Let's have a quick look for some positives and negatives from the Clemson game.

Positives
The Stephen Garcia/Alshon Jeffery Connection
-These two guys have made it known that they are on the same page game after game this year and this was no different this past weekend. Jeffery caught 5 passes from Stephen Garcia for a total of 141 yards and 1 TD. He's been the deep threat for USC all year and showcased that once again against the Clemson Tigers. Stephen Garcia started off slow going 2-9 passing but ended up finishing with a modest 14-30 for 227 yards with 2 TDs. The theme from Garcia that enabled the Gamecocks to win was once again efficiency. He failed to turn the ball over again and led the offense even though the running game wasn't established by Marcus Lattimore due to a tough Clemson defensive line. Garcia can give you plenty of chances to win football games and I like our odds when he's playing like this. Alshon Jeffery can be counted on in any situation and he stepped up like usual in this game and put up impressive numbers. It's easy to see why he's an AFCA All-American and finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. The guy just makes things happen.

Defense's Pick-6
-This was a sore point with Coach Spurrier and Coach Johnson early in the season. This team was failing to create turnovers and in turn it kept the USC offense on the sidelines for much longer than Coach Spurrier wanted. Well I think they finally got what they wanted. USC's Antonio Allen made a beautiful read on a Kyle Parker pass in the 3rd Quarter to return it for a touchdown for 37 yards. Kyle Parker finished the game on the bench after this interception. Allen just added to the final score but it certainly provided a bigger cushion for the Gamecocks that was insurmountable by Clemson.

If you go back to the Tennessee game, USC has 4 interceptions returned for touchdowns. So far this season they've got 5. I believe I saw that USC was leading the nation in this category. This shows me that this team is making the right plays and capitalizing off these turnovers. Each time they've had a game with a Pick-6 they've won by an average score of 43.5 to 18.5 for the opponent. Getting points on defense makes life so much easier for the offense and once again it helped propel USC to a comfortable win over a tough opponent.

Special Teams Held Their Own
-South Carolina has done a good job on special teams lately and Spencer Lanning deserves a lot of credit. The senior has done a great job at making the most of his opportunities from field goal kicking to punting the football. Lanning was 3-4 on field goals and 2-3 on extra points. He missed a couple but it doesn't matter. He answered when he needed to and connected on points for USC to increase leads. A reliable place-kicker is a saving grace for most college football teams and I'm pretty confident Spencer can continue to play well. He also did a great job at punting the football this past weekend. He had 7 punts for an average of 42.7 yards per punt. There was one punt that was place perfectly inside the 1-yard line. It was a thing of beauty. He helped keep Clemson away from USC territory and it gives the USC defense a chance to be a bit more aggressive. All good things from your special teams star.

I also want to give a special shoutout to #23 Brandan Davis. This guy has been a menace on special teams from a gunner position and he seems to be in the right spot making plays. He kept Marcus Gilchrist in check on punt returns by always getting downfield and either making the tackle or slowing down the returner in order for a teammate to make a play. I also thought USC did a pretty good job on kickoff returns too.

Negatives
Opening Possession for Clemson
-I didn't see it but I'm pretty glad I didn't thanks to ESPN2 not switching over from the NC State/Maryland game. Clemson went 73 yards in 4 plays on the opening possession to take an early lead. I don't know what it is about USC but they've done this in a few games lately but ended up winning in a rout. Clemson, a team not known this year for a great passing attack, used two big plays to DeAndre Hopkins from Kyle Parker to get down field and score. He caught passes of 30 yards and another for 45 yards that saw Hopkins finish in the end zone. I can imagine Death Valley was pretty loud at this point and rocking. You can't allow a team like Clemson to get the early momentum like that and for them to do it passing after we've played well there lately and Clemson has struggled just makes you scratch your head.

Fortunately for USC they shut Clemson down completely and answered right back with a field goal drive. South Carolina has done a good job of answering back early in games this year and this is another prime example. So while this is a negative to me it was good to see it turned out to be meaningless in the final outcome.

USC Run Game Non-Existent
-This also didn't play a factor into the outcome but USC failed to establish any running this past weekend. Marcus Lattimore was ineffective all night and I'm sure Clemson deserves some credit. They've got some All-ACC guys up front on that defensive line so I know they played a huge role in shutting Lattimore down. I was still surprised though that he couldn't break free for a few long gains in this game. USC has been at it's best when Lattimore is moving the chains with his feet and this gives Garcia the opportunity to manage the game and limit his chances for mistakes. Garcia had to be relied upon heavily in this Clemson game and sometimes this can come back to haunt the Gamecocks.

South Carolina will need to get Lattimore involved this Saturday against Auburn. They have to find a way to open holes on the tough Auburn front seven. Pass defense is their weakness but if Lattimore can't do anything running the football then USC's chances drop in the upset bid.

Closing Thoughts
-I've mentioned this before but this game was a bit anti-climatic. The first half was good with some solid offense from USC and tough defense after the initial Clemson score. The second half though was a different story. It was almost a bit boring to watch. Don't get me wrong a 2-0 win over Clemson is still a big deal but it was almost like both teams were just trying to get to the finish. I'm glad USC's defense was able to keep Clemson out of the end zone again late after they made the switch to Tajh Boyd. You saw some fire from that side of the ball in the 2nd half. I just didn't see much from the offense.

It's okay though. USC did what they had to do and a win is a win. People expected USC to falter against Clemson because "that's what they do." Well boy were all the media experts wrong. USC finished 3-1 in November with a 3-game win streak that clinched the SEC East and they beat their in-state rival for the second straight year. South Carolina is working on a lot of goals right now and so far they've accomplished them. There is another game left that can prove USC does belong with the Florida's, Georgia's, and Alabama's of the SEC. They've already done a big part by winning the division title and proving all the doubters wrong. If they were to win this weekend....sky's the limit for this program. I like the confidence this team has right now and the momentum they've got going forward. I think we'll see a good showing this weekend in Atlanta and Auburn should be on upset watch. I'm not saying it's gonna happen but USC has a great shot.

Stephen Garcia Update

2010-11-30T10:55:00.003-05:00

Last night the Gamecocks returned to the Proving Grounds as they prepare for the Auburn Tigers. USC is riding a late season momentum swing by winning 5 of their final 6 games so confidence level should be high this weekend in Atlanta. The bad news is our star QB is missing some practice this week.

Stephen Garcia was seen last night walking around with his non-throwing arm in a sling to help alleviate some of the shoulder pain he has from a hit he took in Clemson when he was driven into the turf. Garcia also has a sore hand as well. These injuries don't appear to be serious and Garcia should be okay this weekend to play. The good news is he finished out the Clemson game so you have to believe he'll be fine to play against Auburn. At this point in the season everyone is a bit sore from the brutal schedule the Gamecocks went through this year but Garcia is a warrior and he'll be fine later this week.

Just wanted to share a few updates found from Twitter last night about Garcia being seen in a sling. He should be back in a few days.

This is a good story

2010-11-30T09:17:00.004-05:00

WLTX has a story about a Baton Rouge businessman who donated SEC Championship tickets to Childern's Chance after he saw the affiliation with the USC football team in a local paper. The organization ended up giving the tickets to the Price family. Anna Price is the young lady that is suffering from a brain tumor that has caused her to lose her sight but not her passion for Gamecock football.

It's always amazing to see things like this happen for such deserving people. Kudos to the Louisiana man and extra thoughts and prayers for the Price family as they go through Anna's tough situation. A USC win would probably put this over the top but being able to experience the game in itself is a blessing for this family all thanks to the generosity of a stranger.

Here's a link to the article on WLTX's website.

Video of the Day

2010-11-30T09:15:00.000-05:00

Here's a little dig at everyone's favorite Heisman contender Cam Newton.

Picture Of The Day

2010-11-29T16:48:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure about any of you but this could have been my favorite play during the USC/Clemson game this past weekend.

What do you think? Cliff Matthews has been a perfect leader for this team and deserved getting a final blow on his rival Clemson. I'm sure Antonio Allen's pick-6 is up there for a lot of people. Did you have a favorite?

*Picture from SCNow website

Video of the Day

2010-11-29T13:08:00.002-05:00

It's officially the Christmas season. So logically the means it's time for a little Christmas video. This one has the theme song of the Gamecocks involved so enjoy.

Huge Recruiting News

2010-11-29T12:42:00.003-05:00

Word has just broke out from The Big Spur and Gamecock Anthem that Shamir Jeffery, younger brother of Alshon, has committed to USC. South Carolina has thought to be the favorite here for the younger Jeffery and indeed that was the case. I'm guessing the SEC Championship and the win over Clemson helped to propel Jeffery to choose the Gamecocks.

Shamir has been leading Calhoun County from the QB position but it's widely believed that his best position will be WR in college like his brother. Shamir is a bit more athletic than his older brother and Alshon even admitted that he thought Shamir would be the best WR out of the two. Pretty strong words from a guy who was just announced as an All-American.

Shamir Jeffery is a huge pickup for USC and one that will continue the strong recruiting class for 2011. Look for Jeffery to get a shot at QB when he enrolls but more than likely will end up at WR. He also could get a look at DB if it's needed.

Alshon Jeffery Is All-American

2010-11-29T12:38:00.003-05:00

The American Football Coaches Association announced it's All-American list today and our favorite wide receiver made the cut. Alshon Jeffery was named to the AFCA All-American list today as one of two wide receivers on the list. Local product Da'Quan Bowers from Clemson also made the cut.

Jeffery is having a phenomenal season this year as the main target for Stephen Garcia and this Gamecock offense. Jeffery has had 7 100-yard receiving games this year after eclipsing the 100-yard mark against arch-rival Clemson this past weekend. Jeffery is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award list as well.

Congratulations to Alshon Jeffery on this huge honor and I'm sure this won't be the last one we see from this talented sophomore.

Here's a link to the list here.

Kyle Parker Rumors

2010-11-29T11:57:00.003-05:00

Fresh off the defeat to South Carolina this past weekend, Clemson is now having some rumors come out on their two-sport star quarterback Kyle Parker. TigerIllustrated.com, the Rivals affiliate, has some premium info on Parker that is alluding to academic troubles for the QB according to the headlines. Parker turned down almost $1 million dollars from the Rockies to play football another season at Clemson and then return the baseball diamond. Parker signed his contract with Colorado for less than was offered for his shot at football glory one more year and it's now looking like a bad decision.

Kyle Parker has not had the dream season he had hoped for when coming back to play football at Clemson. It's been a tough year for the Tigers and especially Kyle Parker. He's struggled throughout the season as Clemson failed to win the big games and it's in large part to Parker's inability to overcome mental mistakes. He certainly needs some playmakers at his disposal and the absence of CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford have really hurt his development. Clemson's offense is young and inexperienced and Kyle Parker hasn't been able to produce with the group of players around him. He was pulled in the 2nd half for Tajh Boyd after throwing a pick-6 to Antonio Allen in the 3rd quarter that essentially sealed any hope of a Clemson comeback against USC. Parker and Dabo Swinney apparently had a verbal altercation after being pulled and he wasn't seen from the rest of the night. Now comes the rumors of the academic troubles for Parker.

I think most people questioned whether Parker would be the starter for the bowl game already and if these academic issues are true then Parker may not be available to play. It started to look like the transition to Boyd was happening during the USC game and this news probably will make it officially. This will more than likely give the excuse to go with Boyd without ruffling anyone's feathers with Parker being academically ineligible. I honestly question why Boyd wasn't given the reigns a few weeks ago but I'm not the head coach.

We may have seen the last of Kyle Parker in a Clemson uniform. It's pretty interesting to say that his baseball career at Clemson and his football career(potentially) at Clemson both ended thanks to the University of South Carolina.

As The Coaches Turn...

2010-11-29T10:45:00.005-05:00

This is the time of the year when college football turns into a soap opera. No I'm not talking about the BCS madness that could ensue if someone like Stanford is screwed out of this whole ordeal. I'm talking about the coaching turnover now that the season is essentially over for several teams. Yes we've got bowl games to watch for and conference championships but this is where you start to see who is looking for a coach and who is exactly looking for a job.

A poster, GarnetinChicago, over at Cockytalk.com put together this little list so far of the head coaching jobs available and who's currently in place. Let's take a look at the list:

Available Head Coaching Positions
Vanderbilt - Robbie Caldwell resigned
Miami - Randy Shannon fired, O-line coach Jeff Stoutland interim HC
Minnesota - Tim Brewster fired, OC Jeff Horton appointed interim HC
Colorado - Dan Hawkins fired, Linebackers coach Brian Cabral interim HC
Ball State - Stan Parrish fired, OC Eddie Faulkner appointed interim HC
Kent State - Doug Martin resigned
North Texas - Todd Dodge fired, OC Mike Canales interim HC, UF D-line coach Dan McCarney rumored to have the job
Indiana - Bill Lynch fired

So these aren't the ultimate prime-time jobs but there are a few noteworthy ones. Miami is the headliner on this list. Randy Shannon was good for the University of Miami everywhere except the win column. The program has a much better appearance from the outside than it has had in the past. Players aren't getting into trouble. He's also increased the graduation rate. Big things for Miami. The downside is he did very little with all the tremendous talent he has had in 4 years. Miami is a school that has the tradition to succeed. They are in a prime location and Florida is in the Top 3 of states to recruit. So where do they go from here? They certainly should have their pick of the litter at this time. There have been rumors where Mark Richt was a candidate. He shot that down yesterday. People like Mike Leach are still available. Jon Gruden is a name that seemingly comes up for these big-time college football programs. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Colorado is another school that has a solid reputation. They've struggled recently but you can be successful there with the right coach. Dan Hawkins wasn't the guy for them. I don't know who the names are right now for the job but you have to believe they should be able to attract someone. For Vanderbilt, the big name being thrown around is Gus Malzhan. It's reported that they've already expressed interest in him and tried to contact him about their job. He's a hot commodity now especially with the way Auburn's season has gone but Malzhan can do better. No offense to Vanderbilt but it's not on a level of job offers he will probably receive. The guy has made a fast track from high school coach to future college head football coach in such a short period. He'll be at a name school as soon as this year. I believe he'll wait this out and see what other jobs come open.

There are also schools like Michigan who could end up with a new coach soon. Rich Rodriguez has certainly made some enemies in Ann Arbor and after the beatdown from Ohio State this weekend happened, plenty of people started calling for his head. He's certainly improved the offense up there but this team's defense is in dire need. More than likely a new defensive coordinator will be hired but Rodriguez could find himself looking for a job. If that happens then Les Miles from LSU could be a target along with Jim Harbaugh from Stanford.

So as you can see, if a scenario happens at Michigan like above, then you could have the roller coaster ride happen and multiple schools could be affected that wasn't mentioned before. I couldn't imagine going through a coaching search right now at USC. Luckily Coach Spurrier still seems set on being here another 3-4 years and at that point this program should be prime for a good replacement.

So like the title says, As The Coaches Turn....

USC Quick Hits

2010-11-29T09:02:00.002-05:00

South Carolina will return to the practice fields this week following their 29-7 victory over Clemson. USC is preparing to face the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship Game this Saturday. Here are a few quick notes to get you through the day:

USC jumped up to #16 in the Coaches Poll after being ranked #17 last week. They also remained in the same position in the AP Poll as last week being ranked #18. USC is also #19 in the BCS Poll.

Stephen Garcia is a bit banged up right now and is expected to miss a few days of practice. Garcia was driven to the ground hard in the game against Clemson and ended up with a sore shoulder. Garcia was wearing a shoulder sling on Sunday. He also has a sore right hand as well. They expect Garcia to return to practice on Wednesday.

The three wins in the month of November are the most Carolina has had since the 1984 season when USC finished with 10 wins that year. USC also reached the 9 win plateau for the third time in school history.

The opening line from Vegas is Auburn favored by 7 points over USC. This seems pretty fair considering how close the Auburn games have been lately and USC seems to be playing pretty good football right now.

Quick Clemson Thoughts

2010-11-27T23:26:00.005-05:00

Finally. I get to see two straight wins over Clemson in convincing fashion. South Carolina wins 29-7 over the Clemson Tigers in Death Valley to improve to 9-3 on the season. This is the third time USC has won nine games in a season. This game was won in the first half by South Carolina and could have been much worse if they wanted to in the second half. Its pretty safe to say that Spurrier decided at some point in the third quarter that he was okay with getting out of this game with a victory and no injuries. I was glad to see USC prepared for this game and the importance showed. The first possession by Clemson turned out to be an anomaly as the Tigers would only earn around 140 yards of total offense the rest of the game. The USC defense held their own against Clemson and really did a great job of stuffing the run by holding Clemson to 24 yards and Kyle Parker only threw for 117 and finished this game on the bench with Tajh Boyd taking over. They made sure to show the nation and people like Kirk Herbstreit that they were focused and mentally ready to play their rival with the looming SEC Championship Game. USC did what it needed to do and for that I'm truly grateful.

The stars for USC has to be Alshon Jeffery, Stephen Garcia, and Antonio Allen. Jeffery ended the game 5 catches for 141 yards and a TD. He was the recipient of several big plays in the first half when USC challenged the Clemson secondary. He has a way to separate himself from the defender and he seems to always be open. It helps that Stephen Garcia was pretty accurate tonight. Garcia was 14-30 for 227 yards and 2 TDs. He started slow going 2-9 but came alive and managed this ball game extremely well. He really wasn't the benefactor of an established run ame as Clemson shut down Marcus Lattimore. He was kept out of the end zone and only had 48 yards on 23 carries. He did contribute 41 yards receiving but was a non factor tonight. Luckily for USC he wasn't needed. They got stellar play from Jeffery and Garcia and got key contributions like the one Antonio Allen provided early in the second half. He read a Kyle Parker pass perfectly for a interception returned for a touchdown. You could see the play developing but like many times felt like the defensive back would drop the ball. Not tonight my friends. Allen made the jump and pretty much walked into the end zone. Thats three interceptions returned for touchdowns on two games if you are counting.

To be honest, I expected this victory. I felt it would be a bit closer than the score we ended up with tonight but knew there was no excuse to lose this game. We are the better team right now and our future looks a lot brighter with what we have coming back. I question Dabo's decision to put Tajh Boyd in when he did. Boyd just doesn't seem ready yet and when he pulled this mover it was like he gave up at that point and wanted Boyd to be the man the rest of this season. I really think this is the transition to the new era in Clemson football and they really need to develop an offense if they hope to compete with teams like South Carolina. They just don't have the playmakers like usual and while DeAndre Hopkins is good player, I'm not sure Boyd will be the QB who can get it done. They have a great recruiting class right now so maybe things will be up for Clemson but don't know if Dabo Swinney will be around to see it through.

I would have loved to see a few more touchdowns tonight to give some payback for the 63-17 debacle in Williams-Brice but I will take this win any day of the week. Overall solid performance from everyone and once again USC played a team game and won together. Its good to see that this is a New Carolina and one that I'm proud to be a fan of right now. The big game is now the focus and this season will continue. USC can play for history this Saturday and can spoil the dreams of Auburn if they are lucky enough. Theyve got a shot.

But for now, let's enjoy this Clemson beat down shall we?

Graham On Broyles List

2010-11-25T20:56:00.002-05:00

USC RB Coach Jay Graham is one of 6 SEC assistants named to the 2010 Broyles Award list. This award is given to the nation's top college football assistant. Overall there are 36 coaches on this list initially and the finalist will be announced on Monday with the award given on December 6th.

Graham is most likely on the list due to the performance of USC RB Marcus Lattimore. It's been an impressive year for the USC running game and Jay Graham is certainly one of the key figures that has made this offense roll all year.

Congratulations to Coach Graham on the nomination and we wish you good luck here at Life of a Gamecock.

USC Football Updates

2010-11-25T20:36:00.003-05:00

USC is getting ever so close to the rivalry game this upcoming weekend against Clemson. USC will look for it's first back-to-back win streak over Clemson in nearly 4 decades. This will be a huge game for both teams that will play into the bowl pecking order for each school. USC still has the SEC Championship Game after this one but will not be looking ahead. Clemson is a capable opponent who can sneak up and give the Gamecocks a run for the money.

As far as the updates go, it appears good news is on the horizon for USC. Starting cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Marty Markett both appear ready to go versus Clemson. Gilmore has been practicing after suffering a concussion against Troy this past weekend. Market had a sprained knee issue that appears okay as well. The depth chart was looking thin if either guys were going to be missing but this should let USC breathe a little easier against the Clemson Tigers. Safety Akeem Auguste looks to be the backup CB to Gilmore in this game. He played the position all last year. CC Whitlock will back up Markett.

TJ Johnson seems to be back to full health as well but the question mark is his backup. Freshman Ronald Patrick is listed as the backup after having his redshirt burned a few games ago but twisted an ankle against Troy and has missed practice this week. If Patrick can't go, look for Chris Vaughn to be the backup center. Let's all hope TJ gets through this game just fine. He's been a hard-nosed player for SC all year and should continue this weekend.

USC appears to be pretty healthy at this point in the year so it helps going against your rival with your best players. Lets hope these guys stay healthy and make it through the game unscathed.

11/24 WHBK Radio Appearance

2010-11-24T17:51:00.002-05:00

I joined Chris Kelly earlier this Wednesday evening to talk some of the upcoming weekend's college football games. It's a big next few days as it's officially rivalry week for a lot of teams and this weekend could go a long way towards determining who's playing where in the bowl games.

If you weren't able to listen live earlier then I've got you covered. I was able to get the recording of the broadcast and will post it here like usual. Don't worry about skipping the first few minutes as this one is good to go from beginning to end.

Here's an audio player embedded below and be sure to click the Radio and Podcast Links to listen to previous shows.