Has South Carolina’s early-season temperature changed after the momentum-building win over Georgia?

SIZZLING

Dylan Thompson’s confidence. The fifth-year senior proved to himself that he too had leadership potential with an elite outing at home against a Top 10 team. In the first half, Thompson showed no signs of fear and executed Steve Spurrier’s early passing-geared game plan to near perfection. Thompson completed 10 of 11 passes in the first quarter with two touchdowns, the first on a beautifully-thrown riser to Shaq Roland inside the 5. His best throw, a 20-yard corner to Nick Jones, was placed between defenders just in play on the visiting sideline.

WARM

South Carolina’s offensive line. Oft-criticized during the first two games after preseason expectation seemed unreachable, the Gamecocks’ veteran core of players up front played well with their backs against the wall last time out in a game South Carolina had to win. Corey Robinson was named the SEC’s offensive lineman of the week while all-conference guard A.J. Cann also had his best game of the season. The Gamecocks got back to a run-heavy set after intermission and managed to push the Bulldogs off the line of scrimmage just enough to allow for Brandon Wilds’ 92 yards rushing in the second half.

COULD USE A MICROWAVE

Grab a paper towel and set the time for 30 seconds. Preseason Heisman candidate Mike Davis needs a boost, virtually ineffective in 2 of 3 games thus far this season. After missing much of the the opener of Texas A&M with sore ribs, Davis rushed for 101 yards against East Carolina and followed that up with a 3.9 yard-per-carry average against Georgia. Did Davis lose a step in the offseason with the additional 20 pounds of muscle? He’s not hitting the hole with the same force as he did last season and is in jeopardy of losing the lion’s share of the carries to junior Brandon Wilds.

BEGINNING TO UNTHAW

South Carolina’s secondary and the defense’s willingness to tackle. After Georgia’s first drive, it appeared Hutson Mason was going to have a field day against the SEC’s worst unit against the pass. He didn’t. Two long completions on the Bulldogs’ opening possession was the only time Mason gutted the Gamecocks through the air. Todd Gurley got his yardage on the ground, but Lorenzo Ward’s defense swarmed No. 3 throughout the game and made it difficult for him to break into the second level where South Carolina’s its most vulnerable.