Lee Corso Picks USC As Surprise Team

[lacene]

...not only in the SEC for '08, but in the country?? Said this on ESPN Gameday for the UF spring game, and also mentioned us several other times during the game broadcast. Stated we would be playing UF for the East when our game comes up??

What are your thoughts on this?? Is this a lame attempt by him to make peace with the Gamecock Nation? I certainly don't consider this year to be the year we make a valid run for the East, but it's surprising considering what Corso said about us just 3 years ago or so. IMO, this doesn't get him out of eating his crow when we actually do win the SEC........

[JerryBeeds]

I could see us be surprising in that we could win about 9 or something. I really don't think we'll compete for the East this year. If we could win 5 conference games I think that would be a pretty good year for this team.

[lacene]

I could see us be surprising in that we could win about 9 or something. I really don't think we'll compete for the East this year. If we could win 5 conference games I think that would be a pretty good year for this team.

I agree totally.

[JerryBeeds]

I don't think we're good enough to be a favorite, but we're good enough to decide who will or won't be the SEC East champ.

[D^3]

Yeah I saw him say that.... you guys are screwed now.

[Gamecocks4Ever]

Yeah I saw him say that.... you guys are screwed now.

He probably secretly did it with the intent of pissing the UGA players off, so they'd rip us. :laugh:

[lacene]

Yeah I saw him say that.... you guys are screwed now.

Actually I think he did that to steal Holtz's thunder......ole' Lou will be spittin' mad, now......

[Williams-Brice]

Yeah I saw him say that.... you guys are screwed now.

Believe me; he's been high on us before, and he's been down on us before. By and large, we've always been mediocre.

[GetEmGamecocks]

^A good way to put it, I guess :sad:

[Williams-Brice]

^A good way to put it, I guess :sad:

Yep, I stopped caring about who picks us to win and who picks us to lose many years ago!

[SCFan34]

I could see us be surprising in that we could win about 9 or something. I really don't think we'll compete for the East this year. If we could win 5 conference games I think that would be a pretty good year for this team.

Believe me; he's been high on us before, and he's been down on us before. By and large, we've always been mediocre.

I agree

I would consider 9 wins a huge success this year. I think one area that might put us over the top and surprise a team like Florida is our LB play and whether or not we can consistently run.

the QB and receiving core make me nervous right now.

[Dr. Pepper]

Why not? 2008 has been the year circled on our calendars since Spurrier arrived. This is his team now and we've been patiently waiting. We got a little taste last year, and then everything turned bitter in the end. Emotionally, we as fans are down.

Part of our problem, I think, is Garcia. We have been foaming at the mouth for this kid only to have him to continually disappoint us off the field. Some of the "away from the game antics" of some of the other players has thrown a cloud over the team as well, but these sort of things happen to every team. While we feel that there is a lack of commitment to carry us to the next level, I doubt we are any worse off than anybody else.

Things have been quiet. Not much swagger. No cute quips coming from Spurrier. Looks like a cloudy day for USC football.

Which may play to our advantage. UGA, UT, and UF may be the healthy kids running around in the bright sunshine right now, but they do not realize that danger lurks in the tall grass.

Take a look at who is coming back next year. We have a ton of experience - Brinkley quarterbacking the defense has me licking my chops! Garcia or not, Spurrier will have a good offensive QB on the field as well. We have more depth as well, which has been a big part of our problem the last few years.

We are laying low. Not much to get excited about right now. I will be in Columbia on Saturday, but I am not going to the game. I am too tired - gonna chill out at the lake.
But, I will be there with bells on this fall. I predict that after the Georgia game, we will be 3-0, and we will be taking no prisoners.

All is well, my friends. Don't count this team out.

[lacene]

I agree

I would consider 9 wins a huge success this year. I think one area that might put us over the top and surprise a team like Florida is our LB play and whether or not we can consistently run.

the QB and receiving core make me nervous right now.

While the QB's do have me a bit concerned, I don't think we'll have any issues with the receiving core. We are seeing more wide-spread contributions in practice from the receivers than we have for quite some time: it's not a situation like before, where we had a Rice and a McKinley, and that's it, or less (like last year's spring). In the past we've had a hard time getting consistent results from the receivers during spring, and this spring we are getting it from several.

Moe Brown has been making himself a lot of noise this spring, and has moved himself into the lead for the potential #2 WR after Kenny. We have also gotten some stellar performances from Hills, Lecorn, and Jason Barnes. Even Larry Freeman, who had issues dropping passes last spring, has shown some solid catching this spring. Wes Saunders has also stood out: Jared Cook has performed well, but Wes has made a statement for himself.

I'm looking at a lineup right now of Kenny and Moe at wideout, with Lecorn and/or Hills/Barnes in certain situations, and Wes and Jared at TE. With this lineup, and with the OL performing at least adequately, I think we'll be fine on offense.....

[Zee]

Why not? 2008 has been the year circled on our calendars since Spurrier arrived. This is his team now and we've been patiently waiting. We got a little taste last year, and then everything turned bitter in the end. Emotionally, we as fans are down.

Part of our problem, I think, is Garcia. We have been foaming at the mouth for this kid only to have him to continually disappoint us off the field. Some of the "away from the game antics" of some of the other players has thrown a cloud over the team as well, but these sort of things happen to every team. While we feel that there is a lack of commitment to carry us to the next level, I doubt we are any worse off than anybody else.

Things have been quiet. Not much swagger. No cute quips coming from Spurrier. Looks like a cloudy day for USC football.

Which may play to our advantage. UGA, UT, and UF may be the healthy kids running around in the bright sunshine right now, but they do not realize that danger lurks in the tall grass.

Take a look at who is coming back next year. We have a ton of experience - Brinkley quarterbacking the defense has me licking my chops! Garcia or not, Spurrier will have a good offensive QB on the field as well. We have more depth as well, which has been a big part of our problem the last few years.

We are laying low. Not much to get excited about right now. I will be in Columbia on Saturday, but I am not going to the game. I am too tired - gonna chill out at the lake.
But, I will be there with bells on this fall. I predict that after the Georgia game, we will be 3-0, and we will be taking no prisoners.

All is well, my friends. Don't count this team out.

YES! Dramatic music was playing in the background when I was reading that. When I was done I ran all the way to WB and slam dunked on the field goal post. Thanks, I needed that.

[SCFan34]

While the QB's do have me a bit concerned, I don't think we'll have any issues with the receiving core. We are seeing more wide-spread contributions in practice from the receivers than we have for quite some time: it's not a situation like before, where we had a Rice and a McKinley, and that's it, or less (like last year's spring). In the past we've had a hard time getting consistent results from the receivers during spring, and this spring we are getting it from several.

Moe Brown has been making himself a lot of noise this spring, and has moved himself into the lead for the potential #2 WR after Kenny. We have also gotten some stellar performances from Hills, Lecorn, and Jason Barnes. Even Larry Freeman, who had issues dropping passes last spring, has shown some solid catching this spring. Wes Saunders has also stood out: Jared Cook has performed well, but Wes has made a statement for himself.

I'm looking at a lineup right now of Kenny and Moe at wideout, with Lecorn and/or Hills/Barnes in certain situations, and Wes and Jared at TE. With this lineup, and with the OL performing at least adequately, I think we'll be fine on offense.....

I agree.... But we still have to have a strong QB that can throw and get out of the pocket.

Unless the OL makes major strides I can see Beecher/Smelley really running around this year and that is bad.

[GeauxTo]

Here is the reality...

Aug. 28 NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Sept. 4 at Vanderbilt
Sept. 13 GEORGIA VERY LIKELY TO LOSE
Sept. 20 WOFFORD
Sept. 27 UAB
Oct. 4 at Ole Miss SPRING GAME AT OLE MISS SAYS WATCH OUT
Oct. 11 at Kentucky
Oct. 18 LSU IN YOUR HOUSE, BUT TIGERS ARE STILL LOADED
Nov. 1 TENNESSEE LIKELY TO LOSE
Nov. 8 ARKANSAS
Nov. 15 at Florida AT THEIR PLACE; LIKELY TO LOSE
Nov. 29 at Clemson AT THEIR PLACE; GOING TO BE TOUGH

Gamecocks should win 6 games; including 3 SEC games.
Could lose 6 games; including 5 SEC games.



NO BEAST OF THE EAST IN COLUMBIA.

[shanksta13]

Why not? 2008 has been the year circled on our calendars since Spurrier arrived. This is his team now and we've been patiently waiting. We got a little taste last year, and then everything turned bitter in the end. Emotionally, we as fans are down.

Part of our problem, I think, is Garcia. We have been foaming at the mouth for this kid only to have him to continually disappoint us off the field. Some of the "away from the game antics" of some of the other players has thrown a cloud over the team as well, but these sort of things happen to every team. While we feel that there is a lack of commitment to carry us to the next level, I doubt we are any worse off than anybody else.

Things have been quiet. Not much swagger. No cute quips coming from Spurrier. Looks like a cloudy day for USC football.

Which may play to our advantage. UGA, UT, and UF may be the healthy kids running around in the bright sunshine right now, but they do not realize that danger lurks in the tall grass.

Take a look at who is coming back next year. We have a ton of experience - Brinkley quarterbacking the defense has me licking my chops! Garcia or not, Spurrier will have a good offensive QB on the field as well. We have more depth as well, which has been a big part of our problem the last few years.

We are laying low. Not much to get excited about right now. I will be in Columbia on Saturday, but I am not going to the game. I am too tired - gonna chill out at the lake.
But, I will be there with bells on this fall. I predict that after the Georgia game, we will be 3-0, and we will be taking no prisoners.

All is well, my friends. Don't count this team out.

I'm rather disappointed that you didn't mention Florida in your predictions for this year. That usually equates to a Gator win. Now I'm worried about our game. :laugh:

[Williams-Brice]

Geaux, I'm curious as to why you think we're likely to lose to Tennessee. We gave them the game in Knoxville last year, and we have recruited them the past 2 seasons. If anything, it looks like the field may be level between the two teams this year.

[GeauxTo]

Geaux, I'm curious as to why you think we're likely to lose to Tennessee. We gave them the game in Knoxville last year, and we have recruited them the past 2 seasons. If anything, it looks like the field may be level between the two teams this year.

They are unknown and secretive this year. Phats is still on the burner. His genius OC has departed. This is a must for the Vols. They consider that they have to be a factor in the SEC East. Taking the Gamecocks in Columbia will save Phats a lot of problems. So, I say be aware of the Vols; they're coming to win.

[zartan]

i felt great about picking the Gamecocks 2nd in the East until Corso backed me up. crap...

[Williams-Brice]

They are unknown and secretive this year. Phats is still on the burner. His genius OC has departed. This is a must for the Vols. They consider that they have to be a factor in the SEC East. Taking the Gamecocks in Columbia will save Phats a lot of problems. So, I say be aware of the Vols; they're coming to win.

So how are they likely to win if they are unknown and secretive? If no one knows anything about them, then how can they be picked to win or lose?

Believe me, Tennessee sees themselves as so far above Carolina (and for the most part, rightfully so), that beating Carolina in Columbia will do nothing to solve any of Phat Phil's problems. Winning in Columbia would temporarily stop the bleeding, not cauterize the wound.

[lacene]

Here is the reality...

Aug. 28 NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Sept. 4 at Vanderbilt
Sept. 13 GEORGIA IN W-B, A TOSS-UP: GAME WILL MORE LIKELY BE LESS SIMILAR TO '06, AND MORE SIMILAR TO '04, WHEN USC PLAYED 3RD-RANKED UGA TO THE WIRE, BEFORE FALLING 16-20. OUTCOME COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT THIS TIME
Sept. 20 WOFFORD
Sept. 27 UAB
Oct. 4 at Ole Miss OLE MISS WILL BE MUCH IMPROVED, BUT THIS MEANS A 3-5, 5-7 PROGRAM. A POSSIBLE TRAP GAME, BUT USC SHOULD WIN
Oct. 11 at Kentucky
Oct. 18 LSU LSU IS NOT THE SAME TEAM AS IN '07, AND WILL BE PLAYING IN W-B. TOSS-UP, BUT A POSSIBLE WIN. THE ONLY THING LOADED WILL BE THE TIGER FANS:laugh:
Nov. 1 TENNESSEE LIKELY TO WIN
Nov. 8 ARKANSAS
Nov. 15 at Florida AT THEIR PLACE; LIKELY TO LOSE
Nov. 29 at Clemson SPURRIER HAS LED THE GAMECOCKS TO 3 STRAIGHT CLOSE GAMES AGAINST CU: A LITTLE BETTER-PLAYED DEFENSE, AND USC WOULD BE 3-0 IN SOS'S TENURE. AS MUCH TROUBLE AS USC HAD WITH THEIR OL IN '07, CU HAD THE SAME WITH THEIR'S, AND '08 LOOKS TO BE MORE OF THE SAME. BOWDEN STILL THE HEAD COACH = LIKELY TO WIN.

Fixed that reality distortion for ya.....

I think USC can win 4 SEC games, and 7-8 games overall. With a toss-up game or two going our way (UGA, LSU, UT, CU), we could win as many as 9. Last season, I had LSU as the only "LOSS", this year, I have UF in the Swamp under that title. But we still have some questions to answer: so far in the offseason, I like the answers.....

[GeauxTo]

Fixed that reality distortion for ya.....

I think USC can win 4 SEC games, and 7-8 games overall. With a toss-up game or two going our way (UGA, LSU, UT, CU), we could win as many as 9. Last season, I had LSU as the only "LOSS", this year, I have UF in the Swamp under that title. But we still have some questions to answer: so far in the offseason, I like the answers.....

With a good coach like Spurrier, you never know. He can beat anybody anytime. You could beat Tennessee, but I'm a little afraid of not knowing exactly what to expect from them. Spurs has it on Richt, but I don't know if you can stop their offense. Don't be lulled to sleep by LSU; we are more loaded than ever.

[Bulldog Bry]

Spurs has it on Richt, but I don't know if you can stop their offense.

Exsqueeze me? A baking powder?

[D^3]

Which may play to our advantage. UGA, UT, and UF may be the healthy kids running around in the bright sunshine right now, but they do not realize that danger lurks in the tall grass.



Do any of you HONESTLY think that anybody in the East does not pay you guys attention? Nobody is overlooking you, you aren't App State or Troy. Everybody in the East knows that Spurs and the cocks will give them all the football they can handle.

[GatorNation]

With a good coach like Spurrier, you never know. He can beat anybody anytime. You could beat Tennessee, but I'm a little afraid of not knowing exactly what to expect from them. Spurs has it on Richt, but I don't know if you can stop their offense. Don't be lulled to sleep by LSU; we are more loaded than ever.


I just don't think SOS has enough horses to beat enough teams in the East to win it and get to Atlanta. For one...maybe two games, sure, Spurs can get one on ya, but I don't think they have the overall talent to beat the top three in the east and whichever top teams rotate in from the west.

Just my opinion.

[Cockfan720]

I just don't think SOS has enough horses to beat enough teams in the East to win it and get to Atlanta. For one...maybe two games, sure, Spurs can get one on ya, but I don't think they have the overall talent to beat the top three in the east and whichever top teams rotate in from the west.

Just my opinion.

I agree that it would definately be an uphill battle. But we lost all those games last year due to a HORRIBLE defensive effort. I believe (with Jasper Brinkley returning and Ellis Johnson as our new D-Coord.) that our defense will be much improved. Florida and Georgia are clearly better in the East. I believe that USC has leveled the talent level with Tennessee. And I always trust Spurrier with our offense...even with the horrible O-line we had last year we scored 31 against UF, 36 against Arky, etc. We'll see.

[GamecockDieHard]

We're a 3 team conference in the East. Until someone else wins it, we'll always be a 3 team conference in the East. Playing spoiler, like we did ruining Georgia's year, doesn't cut it. We may be 9-3, we may be 6-6. Our depth is better on Defense this year to absorb a key injury, but not so much on Offense. Hunt still in place as the OL Coach is a mystery to me. Neither Smelley nor Beecher have wowed anyone and we're rebuilding at RB, imo. I doubt we'll have the Offense we'll need to win the close ones, especially if someone gets hurt or imprisoned, but who knows. 8-4 (maybe even 7-5) will be roundly applauded and predictably mediocre. Corso's just drawing attention to the fact that Spurrier ain't there yet. "South Carolina will win the East." (wink, nod).

[cocky4ever]

Actually I think he did that to steal Holtz's thunder......ole' Lou will be spittin' mad, now......

But in all fairness Lou will be spittin whether he's mad or not :D

[cocky4ever]

They are unknown and secretive this year. Phats is still on the burner. His genius OC has departed. This is a must for the Vols. They consider that they have to be a factor in the SEC East. Taking the Gamecocks in Columbia will save Phats a lot of problems. So, I say be aware of the Vols; they're coming to win.

And we all know what happened the last time UT's "genius OC" departed.

[geechee]

When you got visor boy anything could happen, that's indisputable.

[GatorNation]

I agree that it would definately be an uphill battle. But we lost all those games last year due to a HORRIBLE defensive effort. I believe (with Jasper Brinkley returning and Ellis Johnson as our new D-Coord.) that our defense will be much improved. Florida and Georgia are clearly better in the East. I believe that USC has leveled the talent level with Tennessee. And I always trust Spurrier with our offense...even with the horrible O-line we had last year we scored 31 against UF, 36 against Arky, etc. We'll see.


Spurs' offense struggled, too. I was surprised because I thought that side of the ball would be humming by now. Let's see what happens with Garcia...

I just think SOS needs to string together some top 5 classes in order to get the whole level up a couple of notches. At that point, once the checkers are about equal...then Spurrier's playcalling can take them to the promised land.

[lacene]

Spurs' offense struggled, too. I was surprised because I thought that side of the ball would be humming by now. Let's see what happens with Garcia...

I just think SOS needs to string together some top 5 classes in order to get the whole level up a couple of notches. At that point, once the checkers are about equal...then Spurrier's playcalling can take them to the promised land.

Yep, you must have missed cocky4ever's comments in the last line of his quote about our OL. The offensive line had a lot to do with USC's sporatic point production on the field, as it often does with any team. Mostly it had to do with consistency: at times the OL played adequately enough, other times it was almost totally non-existent. The pass protection improved, but the run blocking degraded, and our RB's struggled to gain yards.

Also add the fact that for 75% of the season, we had no other dependable WR to help McKinley, and give our QB's options to throw to. After Kenny, Cory Boyd - a RB - was 2nd in receptions for a Spurrier offense, and was 3rd in rec. yards. Our top 5 receivers in receptions and yards consisted of Kenny, 2 RB's, a TE, and a true freshman WR who didn't even catch a pass until the 5th game, and didn't have 100 yards receiving until after the 9th. I was hoping that at least ONE of our heralded WR's from our '07 class would step up, but by the time Lecorn finally did, it was too late.

Thus far in spring, our OL has shown noticable improvement, and we have at least 4 or 5 WR's basically being offense MVP's every practice. I have no doubt that our D will be much improved next season, but if our OL can perform more consistently at even an adequate level, and our receivers continue to perform as they have been doing, our offensive production will be fine for '08......

[GeauxTo]

I just don't think SOS has enough horses

That's exactly the case, IMO. Great coaching, limited talent and depth. Spurs will very likely slip up on some people he shouldn't. LSU is a prime candidate this year. The Tigers go into Columbia between two big games; Florida and Georgia. Spurs may catch the Tigers anticipating the UGA game, especially if they have been successful the week before in Gainesville. But, if Florida beats the Tigers in Gainesville, Spurs may not have a prayer because the Bayou Bengals would come into Columbia with fire in their eyes.

[Cockfan720]

Yep, you must have missed cocky4ever's comments in the last line of his quote about our OL. The offensive line had a lot to do with USC's sporatic point production on the field, as it often does with any team. Mostly it had to do with consistency: at times the OL played adequately enough, other times it was almost totally non-existent. The pass protection improved, but the run blocking degraded, and our RB's struggled to gain yards.

Also add the fact that for 75% of the season, we had no other dependable WR to help McKinley, and give our QB's options to throw to. After Kenny, Cory Boyd - a RB - was 2nd in receptions for a Spurrier offense, and was 3rd in rec. yards. Our top 5 receivers in receptions and yards consisted of Kenny, 2 RB's, a TE, and a true freshman WR who didn't even catch a pass until the 5th game, and didn't have 100 yards receiving until after the 9th. I was hoping that at least ONE of our heralded WR's from our '07 class would step up, but by the time Lecorn finally did, it was too late.

Thus far in spring, our OL has shown noticable improvement, and we have at least 4 or 5 WR's basically being offense MVP's every practice. I have no doubt that our D will be much improved next season, but if our OL can perform more consistently at even an adequate level, and our receivers continue to perform as they have been doing, our offensive production will be fine for '08......

Great Points:thumpsup:

I still think that Florida and UGA are above USC in talent level and I think that USC will finish 3rd in the East behind those two. That being said, neither one of those is unbeatable and Carolina has a chance against both of them (UF will be a little tougher in my opinion). Basically what I'm saying is that it's not by any stretch of the imagination impossible for Carolina to win the east.

I think a 9-3 (5-3 in SEC) finish for the Cocks next year would be perfect. I think that would propell Spurrier's next recruiting class into the top 10 and would set up for a big 2009 and 2010.

[scfan5338]

I think we'll be average this year again and our weak points at OL and QB will probably hurt us again this year. We are struggling running the ball in spring ball, but Beecher and Smelley seem to be playing well. I think we'll be fine on Defense and at WR's, but QB, RB and OL will let us down. I hope I'm wrong. I want us to go to a damn good bowl game, serioulsy.