I disagree that this referee issue is a distraction for Gamecocks. I'm expecting the opposite - they are pissed and it will pull them together on the road vs Volunteers. This is perfect way to galvanize team with the message: "we can't trust refs, we just need to go out and win it on our own!" Now we'll see if I'm correct LOL.

Why are you so sure that Florida is going to beat South Carolina at Williams-Brice? While I agree that facing Georgia in Athens will be rough for SC, I think Gators at Gamecocks will be a competitive game that I can see going either way.

Not sure why anyone is mocking students - they got tickets and found out they were moved to a worse section - who wouldn't be pissed? (Even those trolling the students would be mad). It's college football, so college students must be a main part of game. It's clear GA screwed up here and I expect it's gets fixed. I think schools should do everything possible to get every student into games that want to go root their team on, and no school should shut down the student section to accommodate visiting fans.

The Gamecocks getting 9.5??? What am I missing here here? Tht'a a great bet. I think Gamecocks are better team but even if you think they are about the same, I can't see line higher than 7 even with Missouri at home. Bet Gamecocks regardless of spread, because they are going to win this game.

Regarding Muschamp - that was a bad loss in a game where SC was expected to win. I had SC winning 7 games (and I'm a fan) but expected a win vs UNC. So now I'm at 6 and if they don't get this fixed and keep playing like they did on Saturday, SC is not even winning 6. If Muschamp wins 6 and gets to bowl game, he's probably not fired (especially with buyout), but if they win less than 6, I do think he's on hot seat. Bottom Line: The SC game plan was overly conservative and unimaginative, they played "not to lose" and failed to make adjustments at half time (while UNC did). When you get out-coached so clearly, you should be on hot seat.

I agree with GoCocks & RangerSpur. The Gamecocks need to come out strong on Saturday, play a complete game and dominate. With that schedule, they need to take care of business in first 2 weeks with big wins and keep getting better for the brutal stretch after that: Bama, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia & Florida. If SC is going to be a serious team this year, they will need to win 3 of those 5 tough games.

I really don't see how you can objectively rank Corral over Bentley, Franks & Guarantano. I think Bentley is best of 4, so he should be #6 (yes, I have a bias as Gamecocks fan). Bentley has the talent around him, he's mature and experienced, and everyone says he's throwing the ball really well. I'm expecting a big senior year from Bentley and a final ranking on this list of #4.

We disagree on 4 games. Your analysis is not nuts but too harsh. I think Gamecocks win 7. I'm not sure they beat Missouri on road, but I do think they beat Kentucky at home (SC is just better) and Tennessee on road. My upset special is Florida at home. I don't think Gators has more talent than Gamecocks. So figuring I am wrong on one of them, I think 7 (maybe even 8) wins will be acceptable with this hard schedule, and they will win bowl game too, so Coach Muschamp is fine and he's on right track with the rebuild.

This is well done. I agree with every concern as a Gamecock fan. They absolutely must beat UNC - it would be a terrible loss - but I feel good about that game. I also feel good about ending losing streak vs Kentucky - Kentucky lost 14 starters including stars, it's a home game on Parent Weekend, the crowd will be nuts, and SC has more talent this year. I'm more concerned about these winnable games: Florida at home and Missouri & Tennessee on road. I think Feaster can really be the difference. Gamecocks must have a reliable running game and if Feaster makes this happen, it will help other areas of team. I do think the SC offense will be potent - Bentley should have a strong senior year.

It always bothers me when these so-called analysts criticize a coach when he's building his team - every college football coach needs at least 4-5 years to truly build a program - especially in SEC. For example, Spurrier won 11 games 3 years in a row for SC Gamecocks, but that was in his 7th, 8th & 9th seasons as coach - he's an all-time great and it took him that long to be that successful. I think fans are much more fair than this Joe Cox realizes.

Thanks Bulldog fans - I also thought they were tough on Kirby S - he's had his team in position to beat Bama in huge games the past 2 years and one ball bounces the other way and you win both games. As for Coach Muschamp, as a Gamecock dad, I'm impressed with what he's building here, but it's taking some time with tough schedule every year.

Why does Saturday Down South have such a bias vs SC Gamecocks. It's so obvious in your coverage. Muschamp is a 4? You do realize he has a better record for SC than Spurrier had in his first 3 years. When Muschamp got the gig, the team needed a rebuild and he's in the middle of it and not going anywhere. Actually, the Gamecocks have a strong team this season. This team has more depth and talent because Muschamp has recruited well - but you won't hear about it on this website.

We know Kentucky gets at least 4 wins with that ridiculous cupcake nonconference schedule - Toledo, Eastern Michigan, UT Martin & Louisville - are you kidding me. I expect they pick up 3-4 SEC wins, but that's about it for SEC team that lost the most starters from last year. Wildcats will probably go 7-5. And they are not beating Gamecocks (bye bye streak).

What utter nonsense - we should chat after 9/28 - you won't be so cocky. SC beats Kentucky this year.

Gamecocks will beat Wildcats this year. I think you are wrong there. Yes, 5 games win streak for Kentucky, but frankly that's 5 different teams and 5 different seasons. This Gamecock team is by far the best Coach Muschamp has had with depth and (for now) every key player is healthy. SC wins this home game on Parent Weekend - the place will be crazy. Saturday Down South is sleeping on Gamecocks and they will prove that on field very soon.

EXACTLY SCary_Gamecocks - I've been thinking the same. I wonder how many teams in nation lost 3/4 of their starters to injury last season - and still won 7? Many of those guys are back and Muschamp has recruited well - with 2 Top 20 classes as Frosh & Soph. Gamecocks are deeper and more talented than any team since Spurrier. Lots of people sleeping on them, but that's fine, go win on the field. Yes, the schedule is rough, but I think SC wins 7 or 8 - and there will be nothing mediocre about that!

South Carolina will not be 6th in SEC East. Yes, they may have hardest schedule in country but they are still very good – definitely top 20 in talent. But no SEC team is sitting around feeling bad for Gamecocks. This season is a great challenge for SC – they will be ready to go and may start out 4-1. This is truly Coach Muschamp’s best team in talent and depth. I’m not sure if they win 8 games – I hope they do – but they will win at least 6 or 7 games and probably finish 3 or 4 in SEC East. I actually think the tough schedule will be perfect to pull team very close together and they will rally to challenge.

South Carolina will not be 6th in SEC East. Yes, they may have hardest schedule in country but they are still very good - definitely top 20 in talent. But no SEC team is sitting around feeling bad for Gamecocks. This season is a great challenge for SC - they will be ready to go and may start out 4-1. This is truly Coach Muschamp's best team in talent and depth. I'm not sure if they win 8 games - I hope they do - but they will win at least 6 or 7 games and probably finish 3 or 4 in SEC East. I actually think the tough schedule will be perfect to pull team very close together and they will rally to challenge.