Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Me, Myself and I

Every now and again I like to explore those little voices in my head. In my three days here in Birmingham attending all practices, luncheons, press conferences and more, I’ve been tormented by the voices.

One paces with anticipation for the blowout that will surely occur Saturday. The other tip toes around my brain afraid of the unknown – after all, anything could happen. The third voice is already screaming in hysterics because the tragedy UConn suffered this year concocts the perfect storm ready to flatten the Gamecocks.

Who do I listen to?

Optimistic Rog

Though the 2009 Connecticut story has been a heart wrenching tale filled with unfortunate reality checks to confirm perspective one needs to look beyond inspired victories over Notre Dame. The fact of the matter is simple: Notre Dame sucks.

Though their three victories to end the season and pole vault them into the PapaJohns.com Bowl is a story for Hollywood, the simple fact is this: Syracuse sucks too.

They lost a 47-45 shootout to Cincinnati – the same team getting demolished, dismantled and destroyed by Florida as I type this.

The story of inspiration stops here, folks. South Carolina played the toughest schedule in the nation. The Cocks almost knocked off the same Gators bull-dozing the aforementioned Cincy Bearcats.

The Cocks took the Alabama Crimson Tide into the fourth quarter with a game and a half on their hands until the eventual Heisman Trophy winner finally wrapped up the contest. Did I mention the game was in Bryant Denny Stadium?

This one could be a laugher. I say Cocks by three touchdowns.

Middle of the Road Rog

If ever there was a team who plays “down to the competition,” it’s the Gamecocks. Sure they played Alabama tough and Florida even tougher, but what about Kentucky and Vanderbilt?

This team, it seems, could play the 0-12 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to a 24-21 squeaker if given the opportunity.

Could they win? Of course. Should they win? Probably so. Is this game going to come down to one play? As my Uncle Vito used to say, “Abso-f*****-lutely.”

Should the Gamecocks be on the wrong side of that one play, the decent 2009 season gets tossed into the abyss, along with the offensive line class Gamecock fans are already in fear of losing. Faster than Eric Wolford on a jet plane to Ohio (or Mike Holmes horsing around in his living room on Thanksgiving – sorry, couldn’t resist), the season could be rendered a failure – Clemson victory or not.

Sweating as I type, the anguish of the unknown is killing me! Just play the game now!

Wishful thinking, I’ll say Gamecocks 23 – UConn 21.

Pessimistic Rog

Where do I start? A foe with a running attack, a tragedy and something to prove, this could be an embarrassing day for the program, its fans, the administration and the PapaJohns.com brass. After all, remember the last bowl game. That was a nightmare… Here we go again.

Miserable memories of running backs galloping over and around Gamecock defenders through the years have me quivering about the boot. Darrin McFadden, Shonn Greene, Mark Ingram and now the two headed monster named Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon – oh man, oh man, oh man.

It’s also easy to wonder how some of the junior class could take it easy because they are thinking of skipping out on Columbia for greener pastures in the NFL. Lord knows, it had its effect last season.

Then there is the fragile psyche of Stephen Garcia who shriveled up like a California raison in his last bowl appearance.

The team seems loose this year – almost too loose. They probably think this game is going to be one of the cakewalk variety, even though they haven’t had one of those all season.

Game over sometime in the third quarter when it’s apparent that Cliff Matthews and Chris Culliver are going pro… UConn 35 - USC 13.

Who I’m Listening To

I hate to play the garnet colored glasses guy, but I have a hard time believing UConn wins this game. As a matter of fact, I have a hard time believing they even come close. Look at what has just happened to Cincinnati.

I have to listen to Optimistic Rog on this one.

No, This Is Not…

This is not the special treat “Dabblin’ With the Cockspur” I spoke of a week or so ago. I am holding out hope that the story I had in mind can still happen so I’m not going to divulge what it was supposed to be.

Peace.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Filling In the Generation Gap

So much has been made lately of the disconnect between sport and children. Sure you’ve heard the arguments why soccer has become so popular with American children in recent years.

Baseball has gotten rid of day games and/or the day-night double-header. World Series games go deep into the night beyond bedtimes. The Super Bowl has become about the commercials more than the game. The NBA has become a league full of tattoos and dunks – a product no child can relate to (as if parents would even want them to).

The argument spans further with so many overweight children sprawled across the living room floor, video game controller in hands and eyes fixated on the television.

Point the fingers at cash registers run by money hungry, white collar America. Point it at the NCAA. Point it in a multitude of directions; just don’t point it at Dawn Staley.

What better than a fieldtrip? No, not to some museum or even Ed Venture… Somewhere where the younger generation can scream, shout, cheer and let loose.

With nearly 2,000 children packing into the Colonial Life Arena, all guests of Staley, the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks along with Jerri Spurrier did an outstanding job extending a high five to all. Welcomed onto the floor at halftime, the kids were entertained by Jerri Spurrier who spoke about exercise, basketball, football (of course) and schoolwork.

Encouraged to cheer, and given good reason with a Gamecock 70-52 victory over the High Point Lady Panthers, there wasn’t a child in the building who’ll be less of a Gamecock fan or basketball fan for that matter when the day ends.

It’s estimated that approximately 19% of children (ages 6–11) and 17% of adolescents (ages 12–19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15% of children and adolescents were at risk.

Adding to this dilemma is a state-wide educational concern – something even more important to Staley than simply athletics.

“It’s always a special thing to have kids come on to your college campus and see just what it is to be a part of this atmosphere - to see that there are sports being played at this level,” she said. “Hopefully they’ll be encouraged enough to know more about South Carolina not just from an athletic stand point, but from an academic stand point because I think every kid should be exposed to higher education.”

With the usual in-game entertainment altered slightly, kids were chosen out of the crowd to answer trivia questions about health and exercise and some cases, made to exercise.

Also altered for sake of the audience was music. Rather than Sandstorm and Thunderstruck, the pre-teen patrons were hyped up with classics of their own: The Sponge Bob Square Pants Theme to name one. I couldn’t name the others, but that’s the idea. They could.

If your kids are like mine (one of whom was in attendance), they probably have similar classrooms. All conditioned by their parents to pull for one of the two in-state schools. All, however, encouraged to use this time in their lives to absorb, learn and better themselves for the future.

Staley, like Coach Horn and Coach Spurrier in similar instances, seemed to extend the invitation to local children vivaciously. After all, these are our future citizens, scholars and most importantly future Gamecocks.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Very Interesting...

This one is short and simple. I did three video sessions yesterday:

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Basketball

Football

Twenty four hours later, the most viewed are listed in this order: Women’s Basketball, Football, Men’s Basketball.

A year ago, women’s basketball would have been viewed about one tenth as much as the others. Nothing negative towards the other sports – they are both respectable at the very least. Still though, that’s quite a turn of events, no?

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: I Got Ya' Stats Right Here

Forty nine minutes until kickoff with nothing to do. Why not crunch some numbers?

Common opponents: Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi

The Razorbacks gave up 117 points, while the Gamecocks allowed 71. Arkansas scored 65 while South Carolina scored 59.

EDGE: Gamecock Defense.

What does this mean? In my opinion – nothing. No Cliff Matthews could be the single biggest impact on this game, unless Devin Taylor looks like Lawrence Taylor. Double teaming Eric Norwood with no worries of Matthews coming from the other side is a huge burden lifted off the shoulders of Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas offense.

Rushing, Passing and Totals

The Razorbacks score 35.9 points per game and allow 27.4, while the Cocks score 21.9 and allow 19. These averages against each other suggest a final score of 27 – 25 in favor of Arkansas.

Comparing the yardage gained and allowed using the same average format, here’s the way the game breaks down:

The Razorbacks should rush for 148 yards while the Cocks should go for 138. Ryan Mallet would accumulate only 219 yards through the air, with Garcia going for 251.

Obviously the human element plays a major factor, but in South Carolina’s case it might be the lack thereof (Matthews, Culliver).

Either way, that’s what the stats over the course of the season suggest thus far.

By the way, 16 more minutes until kickoff now.

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Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: Fans Like This Guy…

A certain player on the Gamecock football team received this message via Facebook the other day. I thought it was an interesting facet of society to diagnose – the complete jackass of a fan…

Subject: You sorry son of a b****

"u need to worry about catchin d*** passes before u talk about scoring td's. u aint worth a f***!!!!!!!!! you used to be good. when u get good i will apologize!!!!!!"

Please keep in mind; I inserted the asterisks as the original note sent to the player had the real letters in there.

I can’t say his name because, get this, he could sue my boss or me for defamation of character (or something like that), yet he can send a 20 year old this letter with no repercussion.

What the hell is wrong with society???

Idiots like you are the reason players leave early.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not just here at South Carolina – it’s everywhere.

Idiots like you are the reason kids go elsewhere.

Again, don’t get me wrong, not just here – it’s everywhere.

But that doesn’t make it right.

Idiots like this are not the only reason players leave school or never attend their school, but they are definitely a large part of the problem.

Another funny thing about this is the obvious coward behind the note. You sir, would never say these things to the player’s face. If you were to bump into him, I’d imagine the conversation would go something like this…

“Hey, it’s great to meet you! Keep your head up buddy!”

A few more things are obvious – you are either unhappy with yourself or those around you. Maybe your wife packed on the pounds after marriage. Maybe your children don’t live up to your expectations or maybe you don’t live up to your own expectations. Maybe, even worse, you haven’t lived up to the expectations of your father.

Either way, you are a coward. The kid is 20, he’s playing through pain, he’s attending class, he’s got much more things on his plate than just football – yet he’s still out there busting his ass every day. For what? To get letters like this from you…

If you are one of those guys/gals who enjoy sending letters like this to 20 year old kids, you might need to look in the mirror – maybe write a letter like this to yourself and take your own advice – because as a fan, you are a worthless jackass who needs to pull for someone else.

Do you have a right to be upset? Of course you do. Do you have a right to question people, schemes, motives, etc? Of course you do. Do you have the right to curse and complain to a 20 year old kid the way you did? Absolutely not.

I wish I could state your name here, but I can’t.

I have no idea if this guy is a Gamecock Central customer, but I hope not.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Even Saban Recognized It

Before I get started, I feel compelled to mention the class portrayed by Alabama fan along with those traveling Gamecocks – something I’m not sure I’ve ever witnessed. With Moe Brown lying motionless at the five yard line the 92,012 fans in attendance began chanting, “Let’s go Moe! Let’s go Moe!”

Sure, we’ve all seen an opponent cheer when a hurt player walks off the field. Tuscaloosa took it a step further. I’d never heard an opponent, in their own house, chanting for a hurt player. The lasting impression is simple: class stadium, class coach and a class team with even classier fans.

That said, the game…

Is it possible for a team to lose by 14 points and move up in the polls? Unfortunately, no it is not. If there ever were an example of such a situation, Saturday evening’s Gamecock performance may be it.

Understand the belly of the beast, before you criticize.

The Gamecocks traveled to as intimidating a place that may exist in college football, took on a defense that may well be the best in the nation – by far. The same defense had just smothered Ole Miss in Oxford, holding them to a 0-for-9 clip on third down - ranked fourth nationally in that department (19-for-79).

With such daunting numbers staring across the ball, the Cocks still converted on nine of 19 attempts – that’s twice the average normally allowed. Was Ole Miss a fluke? Nope. Virginia Tech was 2-for-12, while Arkansas was 2-for-14.

The Cocks faced a team that had scored 34 points on Virginia Tech, 35 on Arkansas and 38 on Kentucky. They scored 20 against South Carolina.

Though Carolina allowed 246 yards to Mark Ingram, consider the performance only a step above his norm. He’s rushed for 150 against Virginia Tech, 140 against Kentucky and 172 against Ole Miss.

Yes, 246 is a lot more, but the newest Heisman candidate is no stranger to annihilating the 100-yard plateau.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban called it, "the best performance in Bryant-Denny Stadium ever.”

The Gamecock defense won the turnover battle against a team who’d forced nine turnovers against their last two opponents – both SEC teams. They intercepted seven passes in those two games and recovered two fumbles. Coming into the game, Alabama was ranked fifth nationally in turnover margin (+1.5) per game. They were +8 in October alone.

This Saturday was different though, the visiting team finished with a +2 advantage, wreaking havoc on a passing game that had averaged 221 yards per game. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy may still be thanking God for Mark Ingram, because his 10-for-20, 92 yard, two interception and two lost fumble performance was nightmarish at best.

Not only did South Carolina stand toe-to-toe with arguably the best team in the country, but they did it in their house – a sold out crowd who wreaked havoc on the decibel scale all night.

Asked in the post-game how he was able to recover after the 77-yard interception return for a touchdown, Garcia humbly said, “We scored six points. I wouldn’t call that recovery.”

Touché, but he knew what I meant.

Old Carolina would have immediately gone into “meltdown mode” like it had more than a few times in the past (see Raymond James Stadium about 10 months ago).

After the game, Nick Saban said, “I’ve got to give South Carolina a lot of credit. I have a tremendous amount of respect for their team. I don’t think we convey that well enough… Steve (Spurrier) has done a great job there.”

Coach speak? You tell me. With 4:55 left in the game, the #2 Crimson Tide was within a “pick six” of facing a tie game in their own stadium – something they needed to even make it that way because the offense couldn’t get into the end zone at that point.

They lost in the first down battle, the passing game, the turnover battle, time of possession and many other major categories. They escaped with a win because they are the better team, but not by much.

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Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: I Got Ya’ Tobacco Road Right Here!

When Darin Horn took over the South Carolina program he said the goal was to “build of fence” around the state of South Carolina and make sure that the best players in South Carolina came to the University OF South Carolina.

Apparently, he forgot to tell the neighboring states he’d be pulling off a heist rivaling that of Danny Ocean and his shifty friends.

In the state of North Carolina, of the top twelve recruits by order of RIVALS stars system, only eight have committed. Of those eight, three are waving to Pedro as they move south of the border.

Impressive? Um, to say the least.

Fayetteville’s Damontre Harris is a 6’9” forward who also fielded offers from Florida, Maryland and Wake Forest. He’s rated as the 56th best prospect in the nation.

Shooting Guard Brian Richardson of Wilson was offered by SEC West foes Alabama and Auburn. At 6’4” and 165 pounds, he’s a sharp shooting two who has been compared to Jamel Bradley. Not bad.

Richardson’s teammate, Jeremy Jeffers, is no slouch either. The 6’5” wing man has offers ranging from Harvard to SEC foe Auburn. He’s also contemplating an offer from the Gamecocks.

Then there’s North Carolina prep star Eric Smith, a 6’0” 185 pound point guard who was offered by some orange school in the upstate of South Carolina – pretty important to land this guy, right? No problem. He was also drawing interest from Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and Penn State.

Just the other day, one of the nation’s elite High School Hoopsters, Stacey Poole of Jacksonville, FL announced his decision as it came down to Kentucky and South Carolina. He chose Kentucky, but make no mistake, South Carolina was a very real possibility until the very end. To be in the “final two” with the 27th best high school player in the country speaks volumes about where the state of Gamecock basketball is heading.

Sure, Poole is a Floridian, further away from Tobacco Road than Columbia, SC, but it serves notice that the “other Carolina” has become a legitimate recruiting competitor.

There are others still bleeping loud on the Garnet Army radar, like Luke Cothron of Red Springs, North Carolina. The 6’8”, 210 pound power forward is rated as the nation’s 33rd best high school prospect. Offered by just about everyone, the Gamecocks remain in the mix.

Are the Gamecocks ready to revive a once rich basketball tradition? Probably not immediately. There is work to be done – tons of it. But, honestly, no one thought they’d tie for the Eastern Conference title in 2008-2009 either. Not many expected to the see Colonial Life Arena almost bouncing into The Vista with consecutive sellouts, either.

Would Devan Downey have even considered returning to school if the future didn’t look so bright? He’d have probably taken the money, even if it were overseas, rather than risk injury in a sinking ship. You can’t blame him, can you? Instead, he chose to stay.

Anything is possible and pessimists everywhere seem to be noticing the once proud basketball school again – pessimists and big time recruits, that is.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Growin' Up In Front of Us

Remember the long haired kid from Florida who had the town oozing with Steve Taneyhill expectations? Faster than a covert hike up the Appalachian Trail, though, he was in trouble. Then, even faster, he was in trouble again. Before you knew it, he was out of spring drills, then in trouble again, and then suspended for another spring. Within twelve months the ridiculous comparisons to Steve Taneyhill were as ridiculous as the Appalachian Trail story.

It’s funny how things work…

When expectations soar, the end result seems to fall short. When expectations fall short, the end result soars. Example? Sure, no problem, going to Athens any of you (including me) would have predicted something like 16-10. With Ole Miss coming to town, all of you (including me) would have expected 41-37. See my point?

Touche’.

Time passes while the Stephen Garcia is holier than Jerry Garcia stories begin to settle. Years removed from the Taneyhill comparisons; the aforementioned “expectation” anomaly begins to fester.

Sure, we question his growth daily and overreact to small accomplishments, but he’s the quarterback for the love of God! Everyone overreacts to the quarterback.

Smelley transfers, Spurrier hands over the reigns, and a guy named Mangus strolls into town…

Before you know it, the kid is predicting wins over the #4 team in the nation. That’s right, I said it, he predicted it. He told us all that they were going to win on Thursday night. Usually the media jumps all over a prediction like that, especially when it comes from the quarterback. For some reason though, no one did.

He told us immediately following the FAU win this past Saturday, “We’re just going to take it very very serious this week and go out there and beat them.”

You don’t believe me? Look at the video below from the FAU postgame.

After the Ole Miss victory he’d predicted only five days before, Garcia doesn’t come out and say, “I told you so.”

Instead he comes out and says, “I was telling the guys in the locker room that that’s the first of many, so…” He drops off the sentence there as if daring anyone to disagree.

The kid is growing into a leader. He’s slowly becoming confident in his abilities, but willing to stand behind his words. The good decisions off the field are leading to much better decisions on the field as well – or is it the other way around? Who cares?

The long hair is gone, the keyed paint on a professor’s car has faded and the Taneyhill talk has even subsided. As a matter of fact it’s all but disappeared and turned into something better for Stephen Garcia. It’s turned into Stephen Garcia talk.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Can't Believe I'm Saying This...

Maybe I’m writing this hoping it’s something I erase in disgust. After all, the media writes thousands of articles you and I never read. I get to see the first paragraph or two – you don’t, but in an attempt to cut down the ridiculous time we spend in the press box, we’ll begin to project, guess and rest our laurels on assumptions.

When the score is 31- 7 at the beginning of the fourth, most start the article with viscous adjectives assuming a 45 – 7 thumping is well on the way. All the while, each one prays to the college football gods that nothing goes “Heidi” unannounced thus the entire article needs be scrapped.

That being said, the Tennessee at Florida contest has turned blood bath hopeful into upset special within an hour. Though most Southeastern Conference fans seemed to have bonded together after Lane Kiffen initially opened his mouth as a Vol, we are all collectively holding our breath heading to halftime.

Unfortunately, the minority is currently high-fiving each other while rotating keg stands. After all, the Vols trail the mighty Gators by a meager eight points on their way to the locker room.

Can you imagine the explosion of sickening ego boost ripping through Knoxville should the expected embarrassing Gainesville Groping turn Knoxville Knocking? Fans in Gainesville might shrivel up while Kiffen followers would grow beer muscles bigger than Mark McGwire on an endless supply of Balco Butterfingers.

Regardless, no matter what the score, I have to let down my bulletproof ego and admit – The Vols look pretty damned good. Just maybe, Coach Kiffen is on to something.

I remember someone calling our good friends at 107.5 The Game a couple months ago and saying something that stuck with me because it made sense. He said something like the following…

“I remember the last time the SEC had an outspoken coach who everyone hated, his name was Steve Spurrier.”

Being a Carolina graduate, I have to admit, he made a hell of a point…

I’m hoping this Blog seems ridiculous in twenty minutes after the Gators decide to “open it up,” but I have to say, I wouldn’t expect it at this point.

Looking at the stats almost 75% through the ball game, this looks like a legitimate contest. Don’t forget, IT’S IN THE SWAMP.

As a Carolina fan, I guess I should cringe a little, no?

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Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: Crushing the Gamecock Defense

If you clicked on the link ready to annihilate the Gamecock defense after allowing 41 points, shame on you. If you were one of the many to throw up your hands in disgust towards the defense, shame on you.

The backbone of this team for years and one of the top units in the nation gave up 41 points this past weekend and everyone quivered, but some went a step further – some complained.

Again, shame on you.

Let’s look at the breakdown of those 41 Georgia points, shall we?

The first seven points don’t count. Let’s not all relive the moment. Let’s just agree that a 100 yard kickoff return has nothing to do with “the defense.” Like you and I, they were all watching. That takes the 41 down to 34.

The second Georgia touchdown came on a 52 yard drive after another HUGE kickoff return. If starting on your own 48 yard line was the norm, college football scores would resemble those of the Arena League. Yes, our defense failed, but spotting the Dawgs 52 yards away is no help.

The next Georgia touchdown comes on a reverse that caught the defense sleeping. Good call, 61 yard run… Seven points for Georgia. Last I checked, everyone gives up a BIG play every now and again.

The next grouping of Georgia points comes after they intercepted a pass and proceeded to “smash mouth” their way all of one yard in six plays. The result – a field goal. In my opinion you don’t put this one on the defense. That takes us down to 31 points, seven of which were scored on a monster drive of 52 yards (feel my sarcasm).

The proceeding Georgia touchdown comes just before the half. Again, about as feeble a drive as one could conjure up – eight plays and forty yards. Forty yards? Why? The return following Carolina’s field goal was returned fifty eight yards!

Here are another seven points we can hang on special teams – not the defense. This brings the defensive responsibility down to 24 points.

Arrives the half and, by the way, Georgia has already set a school record for kickoff yards in an ENTIRE GAME – right, yes, they broke that record before half time.

Not until the opening drive of the second half does Georgia finally put together a drive to be proud of. They go eighty yards in nine plays. The Dawgs differentiate the run and pass effectively – a 34 yard hook-up with A.J. Green being the difference.

After this, the remaining Georgia score comes on a 12 play, forty seven yard drive that results in a forty two yard field goal.

The Gamecock defense recovered a fumble, had a “pick six” and held the Georgia offense to ten less first downs. The 107 Georgia rushing yards were helped a tad by the 61 yard play. The Georgia kickoff return team netted 252 yards – ridiculous!

Now, you tell me that the defense should be worried, is too young and in trouble. Not!

By the way, while we’re at it, keep in mind that I never even brought up the absence of Nate Pepper, Rodney Paulk and Ladi Ajiboye. Excuses are for losers and this defense has none.

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