AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > September > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCan Spurrier get it done at Carolina?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Columbia — Steve Spurrier is funny in a funny sort of way. He doesn’t really crack jokes. He doesn’t spin slice-of-life yarns. What makes him entertaining is that he, alone among football coaches, is incapable of hiding his feelings. He’s 62, but he has the emotional filter of a 9-year-old boy — which is to say, none at all.
If he’s happy, he looks and acts happy. If he’s disgusted — this is the really good part — he tells you so. He might not actually say, “I’m disgusted,” but he’ll wince and roll his eyes to such exaggerated degree that there’s no missing the message. (A printed transcript doesn’t begin to do justice to a Spurrier news conference.) And if this week’s message happens to contradict a just-launched PR offensive … well, too bad.
Spurrier spent the offseason suggesting that South Carolina, the program he has coached since 2005, is ready to win an SEC championship. Given that the school has been playing football for 113 years and still doesn’t have a winning record — the Gamecocks are 516-517-44 — and has managed only four bowl victories and one conference title of any kind (the ACC in 1969), this struck many as a reach.
In a bit of jujitsu, the Gamecock Club took a televised comment from ESPN’s Lee Corso — “I don’t think Spurrier can win the SEC or national title, I don’t care if he coaches here 400 years” — and made it the focal point of a fund-raising campaign. Go to letsshowcorso.com and you’ll find a message from Spurrier, highlights from signature victories over Tennessee, Florida and Clemson, plus an animated game where the user can toss footballs at an unconvincing likeness of Corso.
South Carolina proudly unveiled this Web site and screened the video on the scoreboard at Williams-Brice Stadium just before last week’s opener against Louisiana-Lafayette. And what was Spurrier saying after the halting victory over the Ragin’ Cajuns? That perhaps the naysayers had a point.
From his Sunday teleconference: “We’re just a bunch of average stiffs. We don’t need to think we’re any good.”
From his Tuesday media briefing: “Maybe I’ve overstated our team by throwing out some goals. ‘That guy’s crazy. What’s he talking about?’ “
And this: “Those two teams [Clemson and Florida State in their televised Labor Day game] were flying around, going crazy on defense. If we can get to that level defensively, we can talk about the SEC seriously instead of maybe just dreaming about it.”
Part of Spurrier would love to believe his Gamecocks can win at the highest level because he’s smart enough to make any team win. But that’s the tangle: Is a great coach — which Spurrier indisputably was at Florida, where he took six SEC titles and the 1996 national championship — still capable of greatness when presiding over a program that has known only mediocrity?
Said Corso: “Eighty percent of the college games I ever saw were won by the guy with the best players. Hello? You don’t outcoach people in the SEC. If anybody can win the SEC at South Carolina, it’s Steve Spurrier. I’ve said that a million times. … But Paul Dietzel won a national championship [at LSU], and he couldn’t do it [at South Carolina]. Lou Holtz won a national championship [at Notre Dame], and he couldn’t do it. Those are all facts.”
The wily Holtz lifted the Gamecocks from 0-11 in 1999 to 8-4 in 2000 and 9-3 in 2001, beating Georgia twice running. But Holtz still retired with a losing record in his six South Carolina seasons, which would indicate there’s a ceiling on what even the absolute best can achieve.
But here’s this from Holtz: “I absolutely think Steve Spurrier can win the SEC. It’s very difficult to take a program at the bottom and win a championship with it, but we made it respectable. … They have an excellent stadium, good facilities and championship fans. I’ve talked to Steve, and he thinks he can do it. And he’s already beaten Tennessee and beaten Florida, and he could possibly beat Georgia Saturday night.”
And what of his ESPN colleague’s skepticism? “If you go check Lee’s record,” Holtz said, “I think you’ll find it’s not 100 percent.”
On this issue, however, Corso has it right. It’s one thing to pick off Tennessee or Florida or Georgia in a given season, quite another to do it with regularity. Spurrier has coached as well at South Carolina as he ever did in Gainesville, but this has enabled him to go 7-5 and 8-5, not the 9-2 and 10-2 of his first two Florida seasons. (FYI, the Gamecocks have only had one 10-win season — Joe Morrison did it in 1984.)
Back to Louisiana-Lafayette. At Florida, Spurrier’s teams would win that sort of game 62-14. South Carolina won 28-14 and needed a defensive stop to do it. Said Spurrier: “I was hoping we were past that kind of game. We’re not past it the way we’ve been playing. … We’ll try to fix it, but maybe we’ll figure out that this is the best we can do and we are what we are.”
Also this: “We stopped Wofford [in a 27-20 victory last season], and we stopped Louisiana-Lafayette, but I hope one day we won’t have to depend on a goal-line stand to win that kind of game.”
Much has been made of Spurrier’s latest recruiting class, adjudged the nation’s seventh-best by Scout.com. But it must be noted that four SEC schools were still rated ahead of South Carolina, and that at least half the league’s entries possess a tradition the Gamecocks conspicuously lack. As defensive end Eric Norwood, who’s from North Cobb High but who grew up in Texas, said: “I’d never heard of South Carolina.”
Asked what his perception of South Carolina was when he was coaching Florida, Spurrier said: “Our view was like everybody else’s — they were a little bit above Kentucky and Vandy [in the SEC East] and not quite on the level of Tennessee and Florida and Georgia. That’s about where we’ve been and who we were.”
About here, another coach would have fallen back on his Talking Points — we’re changing all that, we’re bound for glory, et cetera. Spurrier being Spurrier, he took the unvarnished tack. “Heck, Kentucky finished ahead of us last year,” he said. “So maybe they’re being viewed as ahead of us.”
This doesn’t mean Spurrier is conceding anything: If all else fails, there’s always the chance the Evil Genius will conjure up something. (He’s the best seat-of-the-pants coach ever.) But Corso’s point — that you don’t scheme your way to the SEC title — figures to be borne out over time. Owing to Spurrier’s magnetism, South Carolina has begun to accumulate good players. Florida, Georgia and Tennessee amass great players as a matter of course. Not coincidentally, the Gamecocks’ all-time record against those programs is 20-84-7.
“The first two years I tried to be realistic and talk about winning more games than we lost,” Spurrier said. “But then I started to think we had a chance to [win the SEC], and I put that in the back of my mind. And if we could manage to win this game on Saturday or some other games, we might have a chance. We’ll know a lot more about our team after the game Saturday.”
And that sounded optimistic enough. But only two minutes earlier, the cold-eyed Spurrier had said: “Maybe our best team is down the road.”
One game into the season that both he and the long-suffering legions of Gamecocks fans targeted as their time of arrival, the Ol’ Ball Coach is already wondering if he has the resources. And, just maybe, if Corso’s 400 years will be time enough.
Permalink | Comments (67) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, UGA / SEC
Comments
By Brad
September 7, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
All i can say is the guy won at DUKE, so be afraid.
By trottinghometudd
September 7, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
In other words Georgia will win. The rest is just frosting on the window.
ANOTHER LAME ARTICLE.
By Skydawg
September 7, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
Very good article Mark. I respect the heck out of Spurrier but I just can’t make myself like him. That being said, I think Spurrier is playing a different style here. I think he’s being coy. I think this team is probably one of the best SC teams in recent memory. But still not enough to hang with the Dawgs. But you always get that uncofortable feeling when playing SC, especially with the “Evil Genius” at the reins. Regardless, Dawgs win 27-14
By Bill
September 7, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Spurrier’s biggest mistake was leaving Florida in the first place.
By mikegadawg
September 7, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
Whatever you think about Spurrier, the ole ball sack is a good coach. this game makes me very nervous.
But the Dawgs squeak by with a win.
Go DAWGS!
By uga95
September 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
dawg fans why r u all still scared of spurrier? did u not see the team that the dawgs put on the field last week? what weaknesses did u see for him to attack? i saw no weaknesses at all! we dont need to fear him for what he has done in the past! coach richt has built not just a team but a program at uga!! we will beat SC easily!! I love what I see when I watch our football team!!!!
By ahyes nowisee
September 7, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
If Spurrier can make Duke into a winner, he can certainly make USC into a winner. The Dawgs better be careful.
By Bubba
September 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
This game scares me. As much as I hate to say it, I think the Dawgs go down 20-17.
By Leroy Rogers
September 7, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Who is not happy to see St. Steve, as Fulmer calls him, back in the SEC?
We all know players must be in place, however, even the incomparable Doug Dickey, who put Fulmer on top, couldn’t win for the Gators! Remember the Sat. night Douglas Adair Dickey told his players to lie down so one of his players on offense could set a record? Yuk!
Give St. Steve UT’s players and watch him roll! I saw some where UT is second to someone else in players being picked up in the NFL, in the past 5 years and look at Skinny Phi’s record? Sure he will beat another “Little League” team Sat. but wait till they get in the Swamp! Check his record in the big games. during his long, too long, career at UT. The players win some in spite of him because he can’t “check the tape” during the games! Back home in Winchester, TN. he is labeled dumb Phil. Not Phillip— he became when Dickey made him top dog on Rocky Top.
Anybody keeping up with suspended SEC players so far this year? What in the world happened to “student athletes?” in the big bad SEC? I know…Gone With The Wind! Just pondering……….
By kendall
September 7, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
UGA95, if you saw no weaknesses you didnt know what to look for. Our O Line’s play was smoke and mirrors. Very few downfield passes, lots of quick outs and screens. ONE DRAW PLAY. Note, you cant run a draw without lanes, the line couldnt hold lanes. Our D Line was was quick, but didnt face a bruising running attack. scu has that, if nothing else. We have weaknesses, and it is our lines. I think we win by 13, but it wont be a blowout. Give this team one or two more games after saturday to mature a bit more,,,,then we will be talking.
By casual observer
September 7, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
On any given Saturday, playing a team coached by Spurrier can be the scariest thing going. He has a way of calling plays that attack any and all weak points of an opposing team, and keeping his team in the game. USC will definitely win one or two against the big boys this year - UGA just better hope its not them.
By SOS
September 7, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
If Arkansas and Missisippi State can make it to Atlanta, so can South Carolina. And if SC can make it to Atlanta, anything can happen.
It’s amusing how one-sided this column is. Bradley conveniently neglects to mention that SC was 3 points away from winning the SEC East in 2005. Oh, and by the way, if SC doesn’t beat FLA that year, GA has one SEC title in the last 25 years.
No SC fan will argue that our one conference championship in 114 years is abysmal but what Bradley doesn’t mention is that SC was an independent for almost 40% of its 114 years of football and did not even have the opportunity to win a conference championship.
Bradley also neglects to mention that South Carolina is already generated 20% of its fundraising goals toward enlarging the stadium to 90,000 capacity (which would make Williams-Brice the sixth largest in the SEC) and constructing a new athletic complex that will be as good or better than any in the SEC. And the fundraising campaign is still in the quiet phase and hasn’t even been opened to the public.
Spurrier can win at SC and if he doesn’t someone else will…and it won’t take 400 years. Here’s hoping our Gamecocks can put all of this to bed once and for all by winning the SEC this year…
GO COCKS!
By Gamecock Chrissy
September 7, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
DAWGS LOSE! DAWGS LOSE!
By Buck in the NW
September 7, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
I don’t care who the team is, when you play SOS, if you’re not a bit nervous as a fan you don’t know the man. Example? Urban Meyer found out for sure in his 1st year coaching the Reptiles and almost got hit up side the head in the Swamp the year he won the NC. We should win but I’ll be happy when the “W” is on the board. all things being equal, the key to a win will be the play of Stafford. If he can confuse MS enough so that he doesn’t complete any North/South throws , then we’re in trouble. Remember last year in Columbia, go to rivals .com and be reminded of how close they came to scoring and making it a real game. I think we’ll win but I hope the skinny Lady starts getting “Fat”and singing early.
By uga95
September 7, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
kendall
Im with you on the lanes but if I see the dawgs run that b****** draw play that theyve been running the last few years one more time Im going to kill myself!!! I dont want to see that anymore! What I want to see is us get the ball to our playmakers in space!!! And thats what I saw last saturday!!! Our D line held an offense that averaged over two hundred yards a game to under ninety!!! Thats what Im talking about!!! Have faith brother these boys are the real deal!! As you said time will tell but i feel better than i have in a long time about this team!!!
By SamoanDawg
September 7, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
kendall, I have to disagree with you bra. Our d-line is probably second best to LSU in the SEC. We’re loaded at all four spots on d-line… 3 deep in the rotation. No big drop on the depth chart at all. Blake Mitchell better go down quickly or we’ll take his head off. Our LBs are flying to the ball because of our front four. We will dominate the line of scrimmage.
O-line will open up some gaping holes for our backs. Stafford will prolly go to Tripp Chandler a lot. He’s another big weapon they will discover tomorrow.
Dawgs win by a big margin.
GA 38 USC 10
By Rickster
September 7, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
I remember the days that Spurrier’s Gators tore up the Dawgs; which is why I’m very cautious about this game. The Dawgs recently have struggled to put the Gamecocks away, which is why this is a game the Dawgs need to be very focused as though they were playing the other USC. Dawgs can’t afford to look past the Gamecocks, as I’m sure this is the year the ole ball coach will have some tricks up his sleeve because he wants to get back to beating the Dawgs. But Mark Richt will keep the Dawgs focused enough to pull out yet another squeaker…a Dawgs victory in the late minutes of the game.
By David
September 8, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
Yea your right, Florida was a mediocre team before Spurrier, Wake Forrest will never win the ACC, Applacian State could never beat Michigan, yea your right, SC can never win the SEC. If that were true, then why even play the games, why not every year, the top 20 just play to see who can move up a spot or two since no one can beat Southern Cal.
Maybe not this year maybe not next, but it is a mistake to think he will not win the SEC with SC and that’s ok, when we win, a lot of people will owe Spurrier and the Gamecocks a big apology, of course by then all the nay-sayers will say they believed it ALL ALONG.
By A-ville Ranger
September 8, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
Bradley—-Why don’t you,Spurrier and Vick get together and do each others hair ?
By Barkin'Dog
September 8, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
SamoanDawg… I agree, but I’m looking for over 40 points from the Dogs! I’ve felt all summer this team can generate an average of 37 points a game (if not 40), and predicted it to friends. So, I want to see 40+ to get this average up (Stafford will 3-it, 300+ yards with 3 TDs). Will SC score that many? I think not. Will they win the SEC? With theOBC, why not? I think he’ll do it eventually. But, it will take about 3-4 years, because the Bulldogs will be the dominate force in the SEC at least that long. Look out LSU… we’re coming to see you in the SECCG!
By Rabid Dawg
September 8, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this
Dawgs win a close one. SOS will not win the SEC there - he is getting old and can’t get enough talent to Columbia. Yes, I’m a bit afraid of losing to SC. 2000 really hurt!
By Jeff
September 8, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
I agree with Bill, that Spurrier should have stayed put at Florida. But I’m glad he left and is where he is at now. The next question is where will Fulmer be coaching after he is fired at the end of the season?
By Jeff
September 8, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this
Dawgs 27 Cocks 14 !
By Salty Dawg
September 8, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Spurrier made Duke a winner in the inferior ACC.
You still suck c**, Brad.
By Joe
September 8, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this
The lamecocks are going to blow it again.
By shane
September 8, 2007 4:24 AM | Link to this
spurrier is a great coach,les miles is a good coach,on the edge of greatness,richt is a good coach,on the edge of greatness,ditto saban,tubby is a good coach.fulmer is a good coach,possibly on his way down.urban meyer might be a great coach now.a great coach should beat a good coach,all things being equal. when a good coach has a distinct edge in talent,then the outcome is in doubt.this is spurriers problem,there are too many good coaches in the sec with more talent and depth on their rosters than he has.a good coach will have his team prepared and in shape and they will not do anything to beat themselves.in other words,they won’t do anything stupid.it is possible for a great coach to win a game or two simply by his ability,but he cannot win consistantly in the sec without the players.one or two years in the top ten in recruiting will not provide the depth needed,especially when you consider that four or five teams in the sec regularly finish in the top ten and a couple usually make the top five in recruiting.spurrier will upset some teams every year because of his coaching,but he probably never win the sec because the conference is full of good coaches with more talented teams than usc.for example,to win the sec this year spurrier will have to defeat uga tonight,a young team but very talented and well coached.then he will have to beat ut,another well coached team with good athletes,then defeat defending nc uf while holding off rising kentucky and not be upset by vandy.after all this he will have to beat the west champs,possibly lsu,now rated #2 in the nation.a team thats loaded,with a coach on the edge of greatness.the real kicker is that this year may be his best shot at the sec title.with so many freshmen playing,uf and uga will be better next year and for several years to come.i think this is too much for even a great coach to overcome,and i think sos knows it.
By Digger
September 8, 2007 5:28 AM | Link to this
The only way the dawgs lose this game is to turn the ball over 3 or 4 times steve spurrier has no patience he will leave s.c. in the next couple of years maybe Lsu when les miles leaves for the big house!
By The Chief
September 8, 2007 7:04 AM | Link to this
Let’s see. Last year, Carolina lost to the Dawgs, Vols in a close one, and some of the other “established” SEC teams. Georgia lost to that powerhouse outa Nashville, got CRUSHED between the hedges by the Vols, and needed a last-second miracle against Colorado. Let’s see, Colorado didn’t win all of their games, right?
Georgia is what Georgia is. Respectable, a bit overrated and still reading their own press clippings. South Carolina is coming down the road, and the Dawgs might not want to be just standing still when we get there, they might get run over. Go Gamecocks!
By Dave
September 8, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this
In SOS’s first year at USC with very average talent SOS beat FL and TN and only lost winning the SEC East by his two point lose to GA. Last year SOS should have won against national champion FL anybody who doubts SOS can compete has not been paying attention and forgets what this guy did at Duke. Could Nick Saban or Urban Meyer have won at Duke I think not.
By D-Man
September 8, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this
Alright, here it is..what all of you have been waiting for…the D-Man has his prediction of tonights game all ready for you. So, sit back, kick it back, and read the goodness the D-Man has to offer. Ready kids? Alright here it is…the D-Man sees an easy win tonight. Thats right an EASY win. Take it to the bank the D-Man has spoken. I predict at least 3 “visor throws” from Spurrier, at least 2 clinched hands to the face, 3 hands in the air for utter hopelessness, and well, lets throw in 2 rants aimed at Mitchell when he throws his interceptions and returns to the sidelines and faces the Ol’ Ball coach. As far as that SC idiot linebacker saying he is going to “kick some Ga butt”…forgetaboutit. This guy is going to be a marked man and will land on his butt more than once when trying to tackle either of our awesome RBs when they spin their way to TD glory. Thats it…the D-Man has given you the lowdown…so quit your whining and relax…it is well. Peace. Oh, and Ga 35, SC 10.
By Salsaman
September 8, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this
I found this a very good and accurate column about Spurrier. I agree that it will be very hard for SC to be a consistent winner because even though SOS will make SC better the bar for winning keeps on getting higher. a-ville ranger you need to get a life.
By Dawg13
September 8, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
When was the last time Steve Spurrier was in Sanford Stadium? He’s got to be fearing for his life, especially with such a late game and all the good Dawg fans already enjoying their gameday cocktails;)
Dawgs win 42-3
Spurrier walks out missing a shoe, visor and maybe his left eye…
By GT
September 8, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
Corso is not coaching for a reason. Like Bradley is not writing great novels for a reason. Teams just don’t pick off the occasional Tennessee or Florida victories Georgia who would give blood to beat Florida any where any place. It never seems to bother our writers that the Georgia recruiting classes are greater in recruiting rating than reality. Georgia hasn’t won a national championship in 27 years. In those years there has been LSU, Tennessee, Florida and Alabama winning NCs and Auburn going undefeated twice. Spurrier took the worse football situation in the history of college football and won there. I can’t tell if these local writers are tongue in cheek or just stupid with hate of Spurrier because he makes fun of them the same way they try to do with Spurrier and usually wins out with his wit. It’s like the guy that never got a date pointing out flaws in Brad Pitts. Give it a rest.
By go cocks
September 8, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
i don’t like you very much!
By Mark Bradley
September 8, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
I’m an idiot.
By Just Me
September 8, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
I’m tired of hearing how Spurrier won at Duke. The year he won the ACC title, he was 8-4. He got beat by Tenn., South Carolina, Clemson and Texas Tech whipped him in his bowl game. It just shows you how lame the ACC was at that time.
By Gregory
September 8, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
I looked in the AJC today and could not find out if Georgia Southern plays today. I do not understand why the football team that has the most NCAA football championships in the state of Georgia barely gets noticed in the AJC.
By TW
September 8, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
Tired of this clown. After tonight, he needs to be downgraded from his self nicknamed ‘Ole ball coach’ to just plain OLD ball coach…throw him in the bucket with Lou Holtz…
By BrizDawg
September 8, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Whatever Bradley.
Spurrier poo-pooing his team is nothing new, it’s the oldest trick in the book for coaches. He’s just trying to get UGA overconfident so he can smile that much wider if he wins. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and he believes he can win. ALWAYS. If his team didn’t perform well against directional-Louisiana, it’s because they were looking past them to the Bulldogs. Nothing is sweeter for Spurrier than to make the Dawg Nation cry. Be afraid, be very afraid!
Looks like you chomped on some Gamecock-bait, Bradley. Brace yourself for a tough game Bulldogs!
By Spurrier is overrated.
September 8, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
Spurrier had a 6-5 bowl record while at FL. Come on, that good of record in the SEC and 6-5 after the season. If the SEC is that much better, then why the dismail bowl record. SEC might have been better but is was by the slimmest of margins. And is was not ever year. Hello Nebraska! Routing two good SEC teams (FL and TN). FL was going to be good in the 90’s anyway. Look at what was happening before Spurrier got there.
By Jason
September 8, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
He couldn’t hack the NFL either, what’s so special about this particular diatribe?
By Auburn makes me laugh
September 8, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Hey GT,
Let’s laught at Auburn going undefeated twice and still not having a NC since 57. The great SEC and you’re undefeated and don’t the nod. Makes you wonder if the great SEC is just great in the minds of the hillbilly boys here in the south.
By SOBEDAWG
September 8, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
Spurrier made Duke into a winner? Have they done ANYTHING since he left?…If he left a mark it must’ve faded away by now…SobeDawg
By gtne80
September 8, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Spurrier’s stint with the Redskins and his first years at USC have exposed him as what he really is…. an average-to-good coach and an first class sm@rt@ss. Sure, at UF you can recruit your choice of athletes, but that has as much to do with being in Florida as it did with the coach. With top-shelf athletes he could run them out there and run up scores on weaker sisters and win most of the big games that they played. Urban Meyer is showing that it can be done without being a jerk.
There is no Spurrier mystique. He can’t even get into Fulmer’s anymore. UGA will thump Carolina.
By GT
September 8, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Duke was 8-4 is not a reason to celebrate? Duke won the ACC when it was weak but reality will tell you they never won it before or after. They have the longest losing streak in the nation. You know the great thing about Spurrier is he feeds off hate and stupidity. He is at his best when the situation is filled with it. I would love to see the guy run for president, but that would end one of the few pleasures I have at this age, watching him torture SEC fans and journalist. I think Bradley knows no one will remember what he wrote including himself when the “ole ball coach” wins the SEC and for now he has made the sheep happy
By jack
September 8, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
All of you can knock SOS all you want but I am not a betting man but from what all that I read, all of you are extremely nervious about this game. I think with less talent SOS’s team will make a game of it and like down with Fl last year might get a chance to pull it off. Could be another Mich / App state this week. GA could go down.
SOS likes GA like the clap.
I would not bet against him…..
By fayncDAWG
September 8, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Spurrier is probably the best coach in the SEC, but THIS IS NOT FLORIDA HE’S COACHING. You never heard about Florida going into game 1 with the starting QB suspended. This phenomenom hasn’t ever happened to any top-tiered SEC team. And by the way, South Carolina (and they don’t deserve to be called USC) will have to play a perfect game in order to even keep up with the Dawgs! And the Dawgs will have to play horribly to lose this game. Don’t see either scenerio happening, much less both. Dawgs by at least 14!
By bama12titles
September 8, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
South Carolina beating UGA happens about as often as UGA beating Florida, which is rare indeed. But Carolina is going to beat a few upper tier teams this year and UGA could just as well be one of them. While everyone talks about UGA finishing well last season they forget that Carolina took Auburn to the wire, outplayed the gators in the swamp save for 2 blocked field goals and an extra point, put it on Clemson, and won their bowl game to finish strong. This could be Spurriers 1st 9 or possibly 10 win season. I smell upset.
By The keed
September 8, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Two years, three at the most and he is gone. Just watch.
By Pensacola Dog
September 8, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Heres something for all yall SC fans to chew on. The only reason spurrier came to SC was because he was given a membership to Augusta National when ingrim was the Chairman….He could care less about SC..But he gets to tee it up at Augusta National.
By Gamecock Chrissy
September 8, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
Glad to see that you are in the mind of Stephen Spurrier.
By MtPDawg
September 8, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
You are on the right track there pensacola dog but wrong on the facts. Spurrier came to SC mainly because he thought would get into Augusta through his buddy Hootie Johnson, then chairman of Augusta. Before that could happen Hootie was replaced by former Bulldawg Billy Payne who, I’m sure, is in no hurry to have any member around there throwing visors and whining about the speed of the greens. Sorry Stevie….your plan didn’t work and you are stuck playing at the muni in Columbia and remaining 4th in the SEC east.
By Pensacola Dog
September 8, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks MTPDawg, I think your correct. Someone told me that Spurrier would have to wait a year or so…looks like it might be longer…
By shane
September 8, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
pensacola dog,hows the fishing at destin?every time i go i learn i am a week late,as in,”you should have been here last week”.you are right about spurriers agusta national membership,he may have to wait untill he wins another sec title,and 400 yrs IS a long wait!
By CK
September 8, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
I’m not a big fan of either SC or GA but after reading all of the comments from both sides I have to say that I hope SC wins this one. 90% of the GA fans comments come off as pure arrogance. The only real difference between the two sides is that the SC fans at least will admit that they have a mediocre past. GA is great only in their own minds. The rest of the country could care less about the team. If GA does win everyone else will say so what? GA isn’t going anywhere this year so don’t knock SC too hard “Dogs” cause you’re going to be home watching someone else play for the NC just like SC. By the way GA, the rest of civilized world spells it D-O-G-S but I guess if you had a real school you would know that.
By AC
September 8, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
ck, since you’re correcting english, the proper term is “couldn’t care less” I love it when idiots expose themselves!
By mred
September 8, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
You may be right. Corso may be right. But aren’t you the same guy who wrote something to the effect - after Andruw Jones hit two home runs in his first game in NY in the World Series - something about us witnessing a coronation of a new dynasty? Wasn’t that you? How’d that prediction work out for you? And as for Corso, just out of curiosity, is his all time coaching record any better than the Gamecocks? So, is he speaking as an expert in mediocrity or as an expert in something else? Just wondering.
By Secessionist
September 8, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
10-3 at halftime
And mark richt is looking VERY outcoached.
By Phillip Brock
September 8, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Bradley and Dawg fans, Oh, how the mightly have fallen!!! Yes, the HEAD BALL COACH still has it. The man is a genius and as much as I like Mark Richt, I’ll still say Coach Spurrier is a superior game day coach. UGA signs people up for their team but USC has to scrap for everything they get. But get used to the visored one putting it to other folks in the SEC. Don’t count the man out at any time or any place. This post from a Ga native and USC grad. GO COCKS!
By DKE
September 8, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
Spurrier still has it! FL Gator fan, but always have a place for Spurrier. Sorry DAWGS, but you’ve been schooled!
By Had
September 8, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Hey D-Man:
I’m glad I didn’t hire you to handle my portfolio.
LOL
GO COCKS!
By GT Bee
September 8, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
Bradley sucks just like that U(sic)GA QB.
By DKE
September 8, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
D-Man:
35-10?? LOL!!!
By haaaa
September 8, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
lol, go dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Sassy
September 8, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Final score… Gamecocks 16 Bulldogs 12
One down on the SEC East. Go Cocks!
By Gamecock Chrissy
September 8, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Delusional? Who are the delusional fans now? That Matt Stafford is one helluva QB.
Gamecocks 16 | Puppy Doggies 12
By Rob
September 9, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley, as a media veteran, you should understand gamesmanship a little better. The Ole Ball Coach and Evil Genius fished us all in on this one. He used you, the media, to first build his team up and then over inflate the favorite and then play down his chances. You could see this a mile away. UGA got out coached tonight every way you look at it. Go Cocks!