To bowl or not to bowl that is the question?

[TrueGCFan]

Okay, we're just over halfway point in the season. We're 3-3. Which is where many people thought we'd be at this point. With Vandy, Tenn., Ark., Fl., Clemson left do we go to a bowl? I say we have a legitimate shot. I think we should beat Vandy and Arkansas. I think we lose to Tenn. And Fl. This means SHOCKER we have to get pass Clemson to go to a bowl. Do we do it? I don’t know. I hope so.

[Spurrierismyhomeboy]

Beat Ark. and Vandy, and toss-up for Clemson, it always seems to be that game!!

[Eaglefan]

I think that you guys have a good shot. Vandy might give you a little trouble they want to pull the jerseys off and show everyone the Superman S that they all are wearing this year. Then there is Clemsux, good game could go either way but you do have a good shot at going this year. Please no fights this year though.

[GeorgiaPride]

Why dont you think you have a chance against Tenn this year?

[RW13]

I'm the biggest realist gamecock fan there is on this board and I voted yes, each week Blake Mitchell is getting more accustomed to the offense, and making better plays, I saw him today at lunch and he just looked more confident than at any other point this year or last year, that may just be b/c of the UK win but I think it's a maturity thing as well, we have some good weapons at WR and teams that have weak secondarys are vulnerable to us. USC has two severe weaknesses and two severe strengths. Weakness: 1. O-Line 2. D-Line, absolutely horrible this year. Strengths: 1. Pass Defense (16th in the nation) 2. Passing Offense (not spectacular, but....). So that being said, I believe we now beat Vandy, I wasn't sure after the Auburn loss, but Vandy should be a win now, Arkansas in a shootout and clemson in a high 20's/low 30's type game. Now we could lose to Clemson easily, but I don't think UT is a great team this year, I think we could hang with them and maybe catch them at the end, it's not impossible. Last year it was 7-7 at halftime and that was with no offense...., we'll see, but I believe we now go 6-5 and to a bowl...

[Dr. Pepper]

I stated at the beginning of the year that we would improve as the year moves along. Therefore, I am going to say we beat Clemson. This should get us into a bowl, but Vandy and Ark won't be pushovers. However, I also say that we will not be pushovers against FLA and TENN. Based on the first half of the season, those two games should not be close, but, (and I know it was KY), Blake was untouched last Saturday. Our line may be stepping up when it would have been very easy for them to quit. The second half could be quite interesting.

[uscrules]

I think you guys are overlooking a game that we could win. FLORIDA. Yes, I say Florida. I think that we are improving each week and Florida is struggling with there offence. You have got to believe that emotions will play a big part of this game. It will be a big thing for the first game that Spurrier will coach against his old team, you know he will want to beat them. I feel good about our chances the rest of the way. We are improving each week and gaining more confidence. With Blake and Syvelle at QB teams will have a tough time preparing for them.

[Dr. Pepper]

By the time we play TENN, FLA, and CLEM, SOS will have seen a lot of film and will know pretty much what each team does and can do. He will know how to exploit the weaknesses. It will be pretty much left to execution on our part and we will need to play the entire 60 minutes each week. A 5-0 run at the end of the season is doable, but I am not holding my breath and my happiness does not depend upon us beating anybody. But, it would sure be nice.

[JerryBeeds]

No way. We'll lose to Ark, UF, UT, and Clemson. Vandy isn't going to be an easy task either. Obviously I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think we have the horses...

[OmahaBound]

I will challenge RW13 for the title of most realistic Gamecock fan on this site, and I say we will not go bowling. Honestly that won't disappoint me that much though AS LONG AS the team takes the victory this week and continues to build and improve upon it. Yes, Blake will get better this year, but Blake has never really been the problem. Our running game is still weak, our run defense is still weak, and our O-line is still pretty weak. We should probably beat Vandy in 2 weeks, and we could definitely beat 2 of the remaining 4 teams on our schedule, but I don't see it happening. Our best chance of victory would be against Ark. and Clemson, and those two teams have some very high quality runners. If we can't slow down Kentucky's RB too much, how can we expect to slow down much better backs?

I'm not trying to be a downer, because 6-5 is absolutely still possible....and upsetting Florida or Tennessee, though HIGHLY unlikely in my opinion, is absolutely still possible. But in the end I think we will finish 5-6, and hopefully show some clear improvement in our areas of weakness over the next 6 weeks. If we do I think we can all look forward to a vastly improved record next season when our schedule becomes much easier, the babies have another year to get stronger and perfect the schemes, and we bring in some more high quality recruits....even if it's just one on each line.

[GTmorris1970]

Our passing game will hurt Tennessee if we continue to improve. However, their running game will hurt us if we do not improve.

[LedCock]

Our passing game will hurt Tennessee if we continue to improve. However, their running game will hurt us if we do not improve.

Agreed. Tn is gonna try and exploit our D line with Riggs. Thus keeping our D out on the field for a long time and keeping our O off the field and out of sync.

[Beebop]

We still have not shown that we can stop the run....
vs. Vandy (W)
vs. Tenn. (L) Riggs runs for 30 miles.....
vs. Ark. (L) Too many good RB's can't stop one much less Three....
vs. Fla. (L) It's Flordia......
vs. Clemsux (Toss Up).....

We fall one win short of a bowl!

[JerryBeeds]

We still have not shown that we can stop the run....
vs. Vandy (W)
vs. Tenn. (L) Riggs runs for 30 miles.....
vs. Ark. (L) Too many good RB's can't stop one much less Three....
vs. Fla. (L) It's Flordia......
vs. Clemsux (Toss Up).....

We fall one win short of a bowl!

But as long we show progress from week-to-week, I don't mind not making a bowl. I really think the team is finally starting to grasp the offense. Remember Spurrier really didn't have an entire off-season to implement his system. Also remember the difference between Holtz's first year and his second year. I think things are looking good for the future if we just give SOS the time to get this thing going...

[CockyTatGuy]

Alright, now for the gamecocks to hear from their voice of bright and shining sun, their paragon of virtue, their one and only ray of optimism...ME. I say with the move of Newton to TB (if that is what happens and I am pretty sure it is) I say that not only do we beat Vandy. Not only do we beat Arkansas, and not only do we destroy Clemtech. We are finally going to beat UT and if we happen to lose to UF it will not be by more than 3 points.

[USC2001]

Our passing game will hurt Tennessee if we continue to improve. However, their running game will hurt us if we do not improve.

do you think we have any chance in stopping Riggs

[GTmorris1970]

do you think we have any chance in stopping Riggs

Not sure my friend. We looked much better in the second half Saturday against the run, but keep in mind Kentucky doesn't have the kind of OL that Tenn. does. We have to get much better, but we have time. :)

[scfan5338]

I'm the biggest realist gamecock fan there is on this board and I voted yes, each week Blake Mitchell is getting more accustomed to the offense, and making better plays, I saw him today at lunch and he just looked more confident than at any other point this year or last year, that may just be b/c of the UK win but I think it's a maturity thing as well, we have some good weapons at WR and teams that have weak secondarys are vulnerable to us. USC has two severe weaknesses and two severe strengths. Weakness: 1. O-Line 2. D-Line, absolutely horrible this year. Strengths: 1. Pass Defense (16th in the nation) 2. Passing Offense (not spectacular, but....). So that being said, I believe we now beat Vandy, I wasn't sure after the Auburn loss, but Vandy should be a win now, Arkansas in a shootout and clemson in a high 20's/low 30's type game. Now we could lose to Clemson easily, but I don't think UT is a great team this year, I think we could hang with them and maybe catch them at the end, it's not impossible. Last year it was 7-7 at halftime and that was with no offense...., we'll see, but I believe we now go 6-5 and to a bowl...

I agree our offense is getter better every week. But about the Tennessee game I think we can hang in there but I dont think you should compare it to last year. Last year we played crappy offense and excellent defense. This year we are playing "ok" offense and horrible defense. If we put this years offense and last year's defense we'd be pretty good.

[scfan5338]

Our passing game will hurt Tennessee if we continue to improve. However, their running game will hurt us if we do not improve.


I agree our passing game will hurt Tennessee especially with their #1 CB down. ( I think think name is Jason Allen maybe?) We shouldnt be looking ahead of Vandy but any chance though. They could very well beat us. Right now I would probably think they are the favorites.

[RW13]

A couple things I want to address: 1. Look at the Series history of USC-UT since 2000, only last year has it been more than a touchdown win for UT (and last year it was 7-7 halftime), so to say we have no chance against them is ridiculous, because we definately have a legitimate shot to beat, not saying we will but we have a very real chance too, just like every year since 2000, and you better believe we'll be up for the game. 2. We can beat Ark in a shootout, they will have a field day running on us even though we could put 9 in the box and still defend the pass, fact is they may score alot b/c of the running game, we will score alot through the air, maybe special teams is the difference, I think we beat Ark, that needs to be a must win for us. 3. The goal for the season needs to be 6-5, can't settle for less. It is so important for us to reach a bowl game, it will help us in recruiting and give us an extra 4-6 weeks of GREATLY NEEDED practice, we cannot be happy with 5 wins, even if we improve, that bowl game/added practice are so critical to the growth of our program this year...

[rabidcock]

I agree our offense is getter better every week. But about the Tennessee game I think we can hang in there but I dont think you should compare it to last year. Last year we played crappy offense and excellent defense. This year we are playing "ok" offense and horrible defense. If we put this years offense and last year's defense we'd be pretty good.

Speaking of defense, I can't remember the last time we lost ALL of our down linemen from the previous year: George Gause (6-5, 270)-graduated, Darrell Shropshire (6-2, 299)-graduated, Freddy Saint-Preux (6-5, 295)-converted to offense and Moe Thompson (6-3, 280)-kicked off team. We are giving up TWENTY-FIVE pounds per man, not to mention lack of continuity from the previous season's starters. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize why we are having trouble against the run! :eek: We are going to have to play with extreme aggression, as we did in the Kentucky game, and force some turnovers to help negate our lack of size on the D-line. Then, if we can develop any semblance of a running game, we have a chance to get our six (dare we hope for more?) wins and that (then) well-deserved bowl game which we all covet.

[TrueGCFan]

I think this all depends on which team shows up for the rest of the year. If we play the way we did the second half of the Kentucky game we have a great chance to going to a bowl.
But if we play the way we did against UA and AU we'll be lucky to win another game. I think we'll do it. We're playing better and hopefully we'll take the momentum from the Ky game and win three more.

[uscrebel]

Okay, we're just over halfway point in the season. We're 3-3. Which is where many people thought we'd be at this point. With Vandy, Tenn., Ark., Fl., Clemson left do we go to a bowl? I say we have a legitimate shot. I think we should beat Vandy and Arkansas. I think we lose to Tenn. And Fl. This means SHOCKER we have to get pass Clemson to go to a bowl. Do we do it? I don’t know. I hope so.

I hope you guys do, but I'm not thinking it will happen. Please feel free to serve up the crow after the Arky game, but I'm going with my buddy AFW on this one. I think it will be close, but the biggest problem the Cocks have at this point is defending the run and the only weapon the Hawgs have IS the run. UTK and UFL need the wins too badly to overlook you and as usual Bowden will need the win to keep his job. I actually think Vandy's run is over. You will do well against them. Best case...5-6, probable 4-7.

[TrueGCFan]

Best case...5-6, probable 4-7.


I think writing us off against Ark. is off the mark. The 2nd half of the Kty game shows we have some sign of a run defense. Hell Ga ran all over us and we should of won that game. I think our O will be going enough by then to score to win this one. Worest case is 3-7, best case 7-4, probable ???.

[uscrebel]

I think writing us off against Ark. is off the mark. The 2nd half of the Kty game shows we have some sign of a run defense. Hell Ga ran all over us and we should of won that game. I think our O will be going enough by then to score to win this one. Worest case is 3-7, best case 7-4, probable ???.

Obviously you did not watch the UGA game. WHEN UGA ran, they were successful. They continued to try to pass in the red zone throughout the game when they got there by running. Most teams pass to get to the red zone and then run.

Arkansas has three guys who could start anywhere and a fourth who is very good.

The main reason that I pick Arky is that it is at Fayetteville. If it were in Columbia, I would pick you guys.

Still I don't see your worst case (3-8), but to get to 7-4 you would need to collect your Vandy win, and then get two improbable wins and one impossible win. As I said, I will gladly eat crow, I like USCar. I just don't see it happening.

[cocky4ever]

The Arkansas game is hard to call. Their best weapon is the run so they should be able to wear down the defense and keep our offense off the field. However, their defense is pretty bad so when our offense does hit the field we should do pretty well. It will probably come down to turnovers. I think we will win the Vandy game pretty handily because our secondary wont have to worry about coming up to help stop the run. Those two games are the ones we have the best shot of winning. IF we can win those two and one of the others we'll go to a bowl.

[RW13]

Bama is the top team in the SEC (you could argue for UGA) and a top 5 in the nation, UCF had lost 17 straight games including an 0-11 season last year, they are now 3-2, Troy is decent (prob another 6 or 7 win season), so the only loss that stands out is the Auburn loss (48-7) which made me really down on our team, we're horrible, etc, etc. But then after 6 games when I analyze who we've played and how we've played I feel we are a better team than most people (including alot of Gamecock fans) realize. We barely lose to UGA (Tenn can't even say that), Auburn is 4-1 and in that game Blake Mitchell was out and we had a RB playing QB, you put Blake Mitchell in the game and we lose 31-21, something in that range and ppl aren't talking blowout. Bama dominated us, no question, no excuses, and they dominated UF as well (in fact we gave a better fight than UF), Bama is a great team. When you put the 1st half of the season in perspective and analyze everything you realize we're not world beaters (you knew that already) but we're not a horrible team either, we can go 6-5, 7-4 would be tough but not undoable, that's why I'm saying a 6-5 season with a bowl win, not a bad building year....

[Where's_Demetris?]

4-7. Everyone just accept it.

[USC66]

I don't see it happening. We just aren't good enough to win the games we need to win.
Vandy- could go either way but probably a win
Tenn- are you kidding? loss
Aka- loss in Fayetville
Florida- dominating loss
Tiggers- loss but it is an arch-rival game so.......it won't be 64-17

[larryt4111]

HUM???
I AM HOPING FOR THE BEST, yet I see 4-7 comming, UNLESS THE Defence and the running game has a sudden positive change.
AS we can all see the passing game is in god shape, but the supportig characters are lacking, to say the least.
The passing game without a running game and a defence that gives up 5 yds at a pop against GOOD[Bama, Aub], SEC TEAMS IS NOT A GOOD THING with the talent of Tenn. and Fla. still on the schedule[ not to mention Ark. who leads the SEC IN RUSHING, AND EVEN KLEMSON IN A GRUDGE GAME].

GOD KNOWS I HOPE WE DO BETTER THAN I SEE IT !!!!!!!!!!!
HUM ???

[GTmorris1970]

I will make a better prediction after the off week. We have lots of time to make changes, and hopefully they will help. We can still win 6, but we cannot lose any more games we can win. I still say our passing game is going to hurt Tennessee. Their defense is not as good as normal.

[scfan5338]

The Tennessee game will not be a blow out. Just like against Georgia, we have played them well, and have been close, and have had a chance to win a couple of those games. We have even played good at Neyland Stadium sometimes. UT's defense is good, but they are not as good as UGA. We will probably lose this game, just because the game is AT Tennessee. The game should be pretty darn close.

[USC66]

I will make a better prediction after the off week. We have lots of time to make changes, and hopefully they will help. We can still win 6, but we cannot lose any more games we can win. I still say our passing game is going to hurt Tennessee. Their defense is not as good as normal.

I will change my assessment of the Gamecocks when they show me they can run the ball and stop the run. Otherwise, the rest of the season is going to be miserable for us. I'm not trying to be down on this team. It's just the way I see them right now. I hope they can improve something somewhere. Until the lines starts showing improvement then I don't see us winning but 1 more. I hope your optimism is right GT but even a "not as good" Tennessee defense is better than most.

[pc72687]

I think it is so utterly important for us to get to the 6 win mark. We need to have it for the exposure and the recruiting benefits. It will also make the team hungry for more and be a building block for next year. But maybe the most important of all, an extra month for the team to practice and with all the young players this will be vital!

[rabidcock]

I think it is so utterly important for us to get to the 6 win mark.

If we continue to allow 200+ per game rushing....ain't no way. If we don't develop some semblance of a running game....ain't no way!! We will win one more.......MAYBE (and our ONLY chance for that is Vandy). If by chance, we can bring that rushing defense average to more manageable numbers....say 125 yards per game and can bring the average rushing offense to some respectable average....say 125 yards per game, we will then:

1) Beat Vanderbilt.

2) Beat Arkansas.

3) Most likely beat TN (they are VERY suceptible to the pass; add any semblance of a running game--they are ours).

And voila: your six wins.

For some uncanny reason, I don't think we will beat FL or (shudders) Clemsux. But I would gladly trade either of the two (Clemson) for TN.

But, without the two previously mentioned conditions.....IT WILL NOT HAPPEN!!!

[But I hope it does.] ;) :mad: :D :confused:

[Bongo]

I agree Rabid. If we can't at least slow down the run we're doomed for this year. Need to recruit some beef, which could mean that next year might be almost as painful as this one with the exception of the offense showing improvement with another year under their belts. Clemson looked good in their running game last night. Every time James Davis got the ball I could just imagine him busting 20 yarders off against our D.

You're right though, as mush as I would love to beat Clemson I'd take TN.

[GamecockDieHard]

We beat cryin' Urbaneyes on our home turf as a gift to Spurrier. http://tampatrib.com/Sports/columns/MGB68JGRUEE.html

We beat Vandy, and we beat Arkansas. We bowl. We probably won't beat TN in Knoxphil but we may surprise cLIMPson. We really don't know what we've got yet. Spurs is teaching and improving these players everyday. We could lose 'em all or win 'em all. Not one team left is unbeatable. That's why we play. Go Cocks!

[GamecockDieHard]

By the way: when we beat Cryin' EyesUrban, he'll have a total breakdown on the 50 yard line. We should all bring white handkerchiefs to the game and wave them all at once for him once he loses to a spurrier, eh superior coach and coached team in the SEC! :D

[SilverBritches]

I think you will lose to Tennessee, Florida, and Clemson. You will beat Vandy and I haven't seen Arkansas play yet so I don't know there.

[pc72687]

I am not counting anyone until we beat them this year. I still think the cocks can pull it off but I won't count my chicks until they hatch.