Published November 10, 2011 - 11:10am
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Ideal is not the word to define the 2011 college football season for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and football teams, as well as their fans, throughout the country. Happy Valley has been renamed Neverland Ranch, the game of the century was more boring than a viewing party for a cross country marathon, and ESPN appears almost as corrupt as the NObama administration. South Carolina has lost their quarterback, their Heisman running back, their legendary coach is rumored to be retiring, and they are on the brink of a second place finish in the SEC east. Three games remain. The goal is to finish strong with a record of 10-2 and let fate decide our destination. Pride belongs to an individual, nothing and no one can take it away.
This team and we fans have a lot to be proud of in 2011. The obstacles this team has overcome to post a 7-2 record would have dismantled many other programs. South Carolina decided to keep winning and chose perseverance over pity. The Auburn loss was disappointing, but there is no shame losing in Fayetteville to a team with an outside shot at the national title. Georgia has luckily slid into first place with seven straight wins against feeble opponents. All the Gamecocks can do is win, and then pray the Bulldogs stumble.
The once mighty, heavily bandaged Florida Gators will arrive in Columbia on Saturday seeking bowl eligibility and positive momentum heading into 2012. Muschamp’s first season is not a pretty portrait either, and injuries have plagued their once promising season. Gator bait in 2011 is disappointing and consists of tiny minnows, a volunteer, a mildcat, a commodore, and hopefully their jaws cannot open wide enough for a Gamecock.
South Carolina must revive their defense after it was pummeled against Arkansas. Petrino boldly stated the Razorbacks should have scored 60, and Spurrier quietly agreed. John Brantley appears healthy and has an arm that can test the resolve of the Gamecock secondary. I don’t know what Charlie Weiss is doing when he looks at his offensive “menu”, but I bet he takes a number out of Petrino’s book and tries to beat South Carolina over the top. The Gamecock secondary was atop the mountain in the world of college football defenses, and then quickly removed by an avalanche of Razorbacks. Regain the swagger Gilmore and shut the Gator’s pass attack down.
The Florida running attack has been their most consistent and threatening aspect. Rainey, Demps, and Gillislee have rushed for over 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns. Antonio Allen will be back in uniform, and the defensive line and linebackers will continue to impose their will. Containment will be the priority as speed is matched against speed. Our front seven must be careful in not charging too far up field, because everyone knows how fast a gator runs in a straight line.
It has been said Pride goeth before a fall. In Columbia the fall appears ready to go and the season clings to the hope of Gamecock pride. The players and coaches have a choice. For the first time this season they are looking up from second place, and a trip to Atlanta can only be booked if Georgia becomes our travel agent. Take the field on Saturday and win with effort, speed, intelligence and pride. Win first and then we will wait.
Wow….
Dude…get over it. You’re the 1st Loser in the SEC East.
Every team has a schedule that is more manageable from year-to-year. Next year UGA drops Ms State and gains Bama. In 2013 UGA opens with Clemson and has Bama, LSU from the West in addition to Auburn and Georgia Tech every year.
What goes around, comes around.
A “nObama” reference…how clever.
Jaxdawg904 is getting a little ahead of himself, though. Georgia’s done nothing but choke when it’s counted in almost every situation since they beat Hawaii a few years ago. What’s to think that Saturday will be any different?
While I dont wanna say we are gonna win tomorrow because as ocelot said we have been choke artists in recent years. However, calling our schedule feeble against South Carolina’s is pretty hilarious. We opened against Boise who is ranked #5 right now (whether they need to be or not) and we SHOULD HAVE won against South Carolina in very similar fashion to how Alabama should have beaten LSU. Unfortunately for both teams our kickers suck ass this year and on top of that we played retarded and allowed your defense to make two touchdowns on us. (Sorry, I still get tore up about it lol)
I would hardly call East Carolina a strong team. 4-5 on the year, and you had to come back from an ass whooping to beat them. Navy almost beat you and they are 3-6 on the year. On top of that you had marginal wins over Tennessee and Mississippi State. Dont gloat that you are so much better than Georgia. If I was a South Carolina fan I would be praying to the good lord above that Georgia does stumble tomorrow because South Carolina has been nothing but over hyped.
Say what you want about HOW South Carolina wins…all that matters is that a win is a win. Georgia can put down South Carolina all they want but all that matters is that we beat you…in your own stadium, no less. Talk all you want about being over-hyped. At the end of the day, we still beat you AND swept the East. You cant take anything away from that.