Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Me, Myself and I
posted by Roger Olivieri, 1/02/2010 01:18:00 AM
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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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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Roger Olivieri. Roger began working with GamecockCentral in December of 2007. He currently serves as the site's chief videographer. He may be reached by email at roger(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.