Early lines for 11/5/05...

[JerryBeeds]

http://dannysheridan.com/danodds2.html

Arkansas is picked over USC by four right now...

[TKE223]

Are you serious? That doesnt seem right? Isnt Arkansas 2-5? I know they played UGA tight, but really?

[scunyon]

Isnt Arkansas 2-5? I know they played UGA tight, but really?


Yeah, we did, too :confused:

[Jordan]

Are you serious? That doesnt seem right? Isnt Arkansas 2-5? I know they played UGA tight, but really?
Their record is not good, but I'd even give them 7 in this one. No offense to the Gamecocks, but I just think (especially with it being a home game) that Arkansas will pull it off by at least a TD. Your run defense seems like the biggest weakness for you guys, and unfortunately for this week that will be the what kills you.

Arkansas has one of the best rushing offenses in the SEC, despite their lousy record. Their OL is very strong, and can make some good holes. And their RBs are some of the best in the SEC, despite their young age. I think they'll have more than one 40+ yard run against you guys, likely for TDs.

Now I do not think it will be a blowout, as you guys will get them with the passing game. They're okay at pass defense, but not good enough to stop it completely. I say Arkansas +7.

[GeauxTo]

Arkansas has one of the best rushing offenses in the SEC, despite their lousy record. Their OL is very strong, and can make some good holes. And their RBs are some of the best in the SEC, despite their young age.
While Jordan's post is very accurate and correct, I see Spurs pulling this one out. He's got his appetite whetted and his very presence on the sidelines in Fayetteville will awe the porkers into submissive behavior. A slobberknocker, for sure, but Spurs will attack through the air and, pun intended, "bring home the bacon."

[Spurrierismyhomeboy]

SC by 10, this is a big game for us because of the bowl implications it will be good to get it out of the way before Clemson and of course Mr. Spurrier's alma mater.

[cocky4ever]

While Jordan's post is very accurate and correct, I see Spurs pulling this one out. He's got his appetite whetted and his very presence on the sidelines in Fayetteville will awe the porkers into submissive behavior. A slobberknocker, for sure, but Spurs will attack through the air and, pun intended, "bring home the bacon."
Agreed. I dont know if its the QB in him or what but Spurrier seems very calm under pressure. Going into halftime we were tied with UK and trailing to Vandy and UT. We came back and won all of those games. His attitude seems to be rubbing off on our players and they are starting to believe in themselves. In this matchup of Spurrier against Nutt I like Spurriers chances.

[Jordan]

Agreed. I dont know if its the QB in him or what but Spurrier seems very calm under pressure. Going into halftime we were tied with UK and trailing to Vandy and UT. We came back and won all of those games. His attitude seems to be rubbing off on our players and they are starting to believe in themselves. In this matchup of Spurrier against Nutt I like Spurriers chances.
But Houston Nutt is a good motivator as well and always teaches his players to play up until the end of the game regardless of the score. The only time I've seen them slack up a little this year was towards the end of the USC game, but that one I'll give them as completely understandable. :)

This 2-5 team has been close against many good teams this year, and I have a feeling they'll want this one just a little more.

[GeauxTo]

This 2-5 team has been close against many good teams this year.
Hmmmmm.
Could you elaborate on that just a bit?? Which "good" teams did you have in mind??
:p

[Jordan]

Hmmmmm.
Could you elaborate on that just a bit?? Which "good" teams did you have in mind??
:p
Everyone but USC. :)

4 point loss to Vandy (who isn't that bad this year).
11 point loss to Bama.
17 point loss to Auburn.
3 point loss to UGA.

I think they'll sweep the next 3 games to pull it up to a 5-5 record.

And wouldn't that just be the SEC upset of the year if they beat LSU to go bowling. :D

[GeauxTo]

And wouldn't that just be the SEC upset of the year if they beat LSU to go bowling. :D
The Hawgs don't beat LSU; ever. Ask them.
:p

[Jordan]

The Hawgs don't beat LSU; ever. Ask them.
:p
Yeah, I don't expect that to be closer than a 14 point game.... but your defense can't underestimate them this year on the run, or they'll bite. :)

[Spurrierismyhomeboy]

Okay we'll do the same thing we did against UT, stack up the box single coverage on the outside they only scored 15. Plus Robert Johnson is no Erik Ainge or Clausen, and the Hogs D is not close to UT's D. SC by 10

[GeauxTo]

Yeah, I don't expect that to be closer than a 14 point game.... but your defense can't underestimate them this year on the run, or they'll bite. :)
Seriously, you're right. McFadden is the real deal. My main worry, though, is that Houston Nutt will so outcoach Les Miles and Bo Pelini that we'll be in danger of losing! Talent wise, they can't stay on the field with us; but coaching wise, we can't stay on the field with them!
:(

[Jordan]

Okay we'll do the same thing we did against UT, stack up the box single coverage on the outside they only scored 15. Plus Robert Johnson is no Erik Ainge or Clausen, and the Hogs D is not close to UT's D. SC by 10
It worked against UT, but I honestly think *THIS YEAR* that the UArk offensive line and RBs are better than those of UT. Don't get me wrong UT has some talented RBs, but I think the OL limits what they're able to do. All it takes is a few inches in the wrong place for the defense, and these Arky RBs (particularly McFadden) will be smiling all the way to 6 point land.

That would be one game I honestly wouldn't mind going to up here, but just don't think I want the hassle of dealing with the ballgame traffic. :)

[Jordan]

Seriously, you're right. McFadden is the real deal. My main worry, though, is that Houston Nutt will so outcoach Les Miles and Bo Pelini that we'll be in danger of losing! Talent wise, they can't stay on the field with us; but coaching wise, we can't stay on the field with them!
:(
Yep, I'll agree there. And really, that is a dangerous game to end it off with for you guys. Say everything pans out for you, and you guys do beat us.... The LSU players (as would anyone) at that point get just a little cocky and start looking ahead to the SECCG. If they're not focused directly on the Arkansas game, it has the potential to be a season spoiler for LSU.

I don't see it happening. But again, you just never know....

[GeauxTo]

Yep, I'll agree there. And really, that is a dangerous game to end it off with for you guys. Say everything pans out for you, and you guys do beat us.... The LSU players (as would anyone) at that point get just a little cocky and start looking ahead to the SECCG. If they're not focused directly on the Arkansas game, it has the potential to be a season spoiler for LSU.

I don't see it happening. But again, you just never know....

Definitely scary!

[Jay_Lupo]

The Hawgs don't beat LSU; ever. Ask them.
:p

Actually, since Nutt's been at Arkansas, he's 3-4 against LSU. The Tigers have won two in a row though. I've seen Matt Jones and Fred Talley single-handedly beat the Tigers with my own two eyes in The Rock i guess it was 3 years ago, isn't that right? I think it is. We call it "The Miracle on Markum". It was the year Bama was on probation for being bad boys and that game decided the SEC West. And Geaux, don't worry about getting outcoached by Nutt. I love him, but there are about 500,000 people in Arkansas that would be laughing their guts out at that statement. Even if we run the gauntlet up to LSU, I don't think we can win that one unless McFadden just explodes like he did against UGA and the Tigers don't play well.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to this weekend's game. I think it will be a good one. USC's coming off a big win in a very tough, physical football game. They'll be in for more of the same on Saturday, as Nutt's team is a rabid animal backed into a corner ready to strike, and I think the Hogs play their best game of the season on Saturday. We're fresh off a bye week and have no injuries and are absolutely foaming at the mouth for a win. I think it's safe to say the Cocks will get our best. Hopefully Nutt will feed it to DMac 25+ times and Felix J. at least around 8-12 times.

I think this game could be a springboard for Arkansas and a true measuring stick for South Carolina. After its game with UT, if USC can come into Fayetteville and withstand the physical beating they'll take and come out with a win, it's really gonna show what kind of team they are. After playing against some of the nation's best, Arkansas finally gets a break - no offense - with USC, and especially Ole Miss and Miss. St. I know that's what Nutt's telling his team now. Don't give up. You're perfectly capable of winning your next three and going to Baton Rouge for a bowl game. And that's true, but we'll have to play a damn good game against a South Carolina team that is getting better and better each week.

People have a little bit of a skewed view of the Razorbacks b/c of the crucifixion everyone witnessed against USC (So cal) and the loss to Vanderbilt. Vandy was pathetic. It still makes me want to vomitt today and I have a feeling it will until next season. First and foremost, McFadden got one carry in the second quarter for 6 yards and that was his playing time for the day. Needless to say, we're a much different team with him in the game. But that's not why we lost. We DOMINATED the 'Dores for 3 quarters. We had an 11-point - what should've been an 18-point lead - and a 200+ yard advantage in total O heading into the fourth. Literally, we didn't show up in the final stanza. Nobody did. The offense. The defense. The coaches. Nobody. Nobody but Jay Cutler and Vandy. We held the ball for less than 2 minutes, finished the game even in yardage and got outscored 15-0. The Dores needed every break they could possibly get and they got them. That pass interference call that set up their final score with under 20 seconds left still gives me the willies. But hey, coulda, shoulda woulda. We lost, that's the bottom line. South Carolina beat Vandy.

I don't want to ruffle any feathers here, but looking at it objectively, Arkansas played Alabama and Auburn, much, much closer than the Cocks did. Both scores were not indicative of the game. Against Bama, we had the ball trailing by 4 points and were moving the ball with under 5 minutes to go. Against Auburn, we led 10-6 at half and got a total of 3 points in 3 trips inside the Tiger 10. It should've been at least 17-6 at half. But they RAPED us in the second half, no question. That was impressive. Both teams played UGA very close.

While we're 2-5, 4 of our losses have come against ranked teams. Three of those have come against Top 5 teams on the road, two of which were nail-biters. But while you can't argue against Arkansas' schedule being tougher - actually, after the UGA game is was rated No. 1 in the country - it's not like the Cocks haven't played a tough one. They've lost to three of the same teams we have, all ranked. And again, they beat Vandy. *$&^#@ Vanderbilt. :mad: I actually said before the season that Vandy was our most important game and well, we blew it. USC didn't. I'm surprised we're favored by that much. Could motivate the Cocks. Who knows?

But the bottom line is we're desperate for a win, and I do think we'll be ready in every facet of the game on Saturday. And like South Carolina, we've been improving every week for the most part. We regressed a little in the 2nd half against Auburn, but UGA was no doubt our most complete game. We simply cannot pass the ball at all though, so we're going to have to get McFadden and Jones, especially #5, out in the open field so they can use their speed.

I'm looking forward to this one. It should be a damn good game b/t two very evenly matched, yet vastly different types of teams. What style will prevail? The Run-N-Gun or the Run-Run-Run. I dunno. I hope it's the Hogs, but it very well could be USC. I really do think it'll be a heck of a game.

It also gives me a chance to see one of my fav. non-Arkansas SEC players: Sidney Rice. Yes, I'm a McFadden supporter and a Sidney Rice fan :D

While I'm on the subject, if these two continue at this rate, I say give them Co-FOY honors. Neither one of these kids doesn't deserve to be FOY so far. Hell, both will be All-SEC, with Rice having already pretty much locked up a first team spot. I do think DMAC will be one of the two backs - isn't there two? - on the 1st team and if he's not, it's b/c he got hurt (god forbid) or b/c he's on a bad team and a freshman. BTW, how big (I know he's 6'4) is Rice. He looks fairly thick, and that's thick as in strong. Not only are they smashing school records and having big seasons in the perfect offenses (from a QB and RB standpoint), they're physical specimens too. Was Rice a blue chip? DMac was rated the No. 2 athlete in the nation. He was a blue chipper. Who's that other frosh WR, McKinley? He's good too. Man, in 2 years, USC and Arkansas are gonna have some bad ass offenses (if HDN hires an OC). I'm ready for this game and sorry for the book. I just had to get this all out, b/c I'll be busy this week.

[Jay_Lupo]

Okay we'll do the same thing we did against UT, stack up the box single coverage on the outside they only scored 15. Plus Robert Johnson is no Erik Ainge or Clausen, and the Hogs D is not close to UT's D. SC by 10

No pun intended at UT, b/c I'm actually feeling sorry for them this year and really can't believe how things have gone for the Vols, but UT's ground game isn't comprable to Arkansas at all. IMO, very few in the SEC are. In fact, IMO, very few in the nation are. I think, hands down, that we're the best running team in the SEC.

I challenge somebody to show me a team with the kind of rushing stats we have amassed that has played against the type of defense we've gone against. Minnesota maybe but they haven't been going against the Trojans, Tide, 'Dawgs or Tigers. They did do fairly well against a stiff OSU D last week though.

Anyway, I don't think that'd be USC's best approach Sat. B/C that would leave our guys in single coverage for one thing, and while we hardly ever pass, it could lead to some success and let me just tell you, you're in for trouble if you allow us to pass on you. But believe it or not, we actually do have Wide Receivers on our team. If Monk is single covered all day, Nutt will be forced to throw it some. But where that could potentially kill the Cocks is with McFadden. That boy hits those holes - once he sees it, not initially - like nobody's business and I will say that if he gets behind your defense, there's nobody on your roster - or probably the state of South Carolina :D j/k - that can catch him. Nah, who knows, maybe ya do, but my point is he's very, very fast and once he's behind the D he's hell on wheels to catch and then if for some reason you get him, which nobody has yet, bringing him down is almost as much of a challenge. But ya know what? Last time I checked, one of the best - if not the best - free safeties in the SEC resides in SC.

But I would just concede to our running game a little bit and make sure that we don't pass much at all. Maybe I'm naive, but I just don't think there's a team left on our schedule that can just totally shut down our running game. The key is slowing it down. Another key for the Cocks is a good start. They don't want to get behind early and then have us just nag them to death with our ground attack. I think Mitchell and Rice will have some success but like USC's D, we can't allow too much. We have to limit the pass and make them run or just make them pay when they pass and they have to limit our running game. I know others probably don't give a flip about it, but I'm really, really thinking this is gonna be a helluva ballgame.

[Cocky1]

"While we're 2-5, 4 of our losses have come against ranked teams. Three of those have come against Top 5 teams on the road, two of which were nail-biters." Jay Lupo

The cocks have 3 loses on the season to teams with the following records:
Bama(8-0)
UGA(7-1)
Auburn(6-2)

True two of these were blowouts, but look who it was to.

[Jay_Lupo]

"While we're 2-5, 4 of our losses have come against ranked teams. Three of those have come against Top 5 teams on the road, two of which were nail-biters." Jay Lupo

The cocks have 3 loses on the season to teams with the following records:
Bama(8-0)
UGA(7-1)
Auburn(6-2)

True two of these were blowouts, but look who it was to.

Arkansas has lost to each of those three as well, plus USC, which was our only "blowout". I don't think we can compare schedules b/c any honest Gamecock fan would tell you they'd be 3-4 if they had played the Razorbacks' schedule. Am I right? Yes, I'm right :)

[uscrebel]

Okay we'll do the same thing we did against UT, stack up the box single coverage on the outside they only scored 15. Plus Robert Johnson is no Erik Ainge or Clausen, and the Hogs D is not close to UT's D. SC by 10

You actually think they plan to throw the ball? This could be a first in Modern Collegiate Football...an offensive gameplan that includes no forward passes.