Georgia vs. South Carolina, Prediction Preview 2009
By: Flounder at leftoverhotdog.blogspot.com

The undefeated gamecocks will travel to Athens, Ga to take on an unhappy bunch of bulldogs in a SEC opener for both teams. Georgia is coming off a tough loss to Oklahoma State that sent the bulldogs from 13th in the AP poll to 21st. South Carolina squeaked out a 7-3 win in Raleigh. But with this game, records don’t matter as this game is always close and seems to shed light on which team will have a better season.

It’s been 13 years since Georgia started the season with a losing record and this is the first time since Mark Richt took over that UGa had a losing record for the season, at any point during the season. So trust me when I say…Georgia will be fired up against the Gamecocks! USC will try to open a season with back-to-back road wins for the first time.

Last season, Gamecocks quarterback Chris Smelley threw an interception inside the Georgia 10 with 13 seconds left in a 14-7 South Carolina loss. Georgia’s 18-0 win in 2006 is the only shutout of Spurrier since he arrived at South Carolina (the only other came at Duke in 1987). The 2007 Gamecocks are the only squad to keep a Richt-coached Bulldogs team out of the end zone.

In the past three games between the teams, the Gamecocks and Bulldogs each have just two touchdowns. Spurrier has gone 1-3 against Georgia as the gamecocks coach, his team scoring less than 10 points a game and tallying just three offensive touchdowns in four contests. Neither team has scored more than 20 points in the last six meetings between the schools. And don’t expect anything different Saturday. Both coaches are trying to jump start offenses that struggled during the opener without changing things too radically.

The offenses for No. 21 Georgia and South Carolina struggled in their openers, combining for 17 points. The Gamecocks (1-0) gained just 256 yards in a 7-3 win over North Carolina State, while the Bulldogs (0-1) had just one more yard in a 24-10 loss to fifth-ranked Oklahoma State.

Let’s look at this series, which began in 1894, since 2000:

2008/09/13 South Carolina 7 – Georgia 14
2007/09/08 South Carolina 16 – Georgia 12
2006/09/09 South Carolina 0 – Georgia 18
2005/09/10 South Carolina 15 – Georgia 17
2004/09/11 South Carolina 16 – Georgia 20
2003/09/13 South Carolina 7 – Georgia 31
2002/09/14 South Carolina 7 – Georgia 13
2001/09/08 South Carolina 14 – Georgia 9
2000/09/09 South Carolina 21 – Georgia 10

South Carolina has won 3 times since 2000. South Carolina is (14-45-2) against Georgia all-time. But most important from the above is the fact that you can see (minus 2003 with the 31-7 beat down) this game is always a close contest since 2000.

I feel that 2009 will be no different. Expect a close game.

What to watch for….success in this game will be determined by which team has success throwing the ball. Whichever team can air it out and spread the field and allow a balanced attack to transpire, thus leading to ball control and smart play. So look for Spurrier to test the passing game early. Richt will tell his boys much the same as both teams had poor offensive showings in game 1. Look for them to go a little deeper in the playbook in week 2.

For Georgia to win…Four main things must go right for them to win: Joe Cox has to be great at moving the ball through the air against a stout USC ‘D’, the offensive line for UGa must stop a very good defensive front from SC, AJ Green must be a star for the ‘dawgs at receiver and the Georgia D must limit Garcia through the air.

For Carolina to win…Garcia must have success in the air and deep, the SC offensive line must control the line of scrimmage, USC special teams must execute and the USC Defense must be lights out.

What will decide the winner…Two things –

1. Field position – which team controls that aspect and limits the threat then it will lead to a victory.

2. The team that does not “shoot themselves in the foot” and wins the TO game then it leads to a win.

This game may not have the most potent offenses coming in but these two teams have 2 of the best defenses in the SEC and if not the nation. This game will come down to who can move the ball effectively, field position, who wins the TO battle, special teams play and who does not mess up. Sounds like a good game is in store…

This game in my view is the Gamecocks to lose. I feel Spurrier wants this game badly as it would swirl some “winds” in Athens concerning Richt and his decisions. Spurrier loves to be the catalyst for things like that and what better way to do it then to kick them when they are down. Don’t get me wrong as this game will be low scoring but look for the Gamecocks to win by the score of 20-10 due to some timely Georgia turnovers.

-What do you think will happen? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think. Subscribe, and come back all season-

Premise: The SEC as Old School Tag Teams

Let’s face it, I’m like the Fox Reality Television Department. I see a good idea, and I tweak it for my purposes. So, I saw Black Heart Gold Pants did a post comparing College Football Teams to pro wrestlers? I say two is better than one, I say the late 80′s are better than now, and I say that I remember the Conquistadors, and I care.

Mississippi State is…The Conquistadors

There’s a term in wrestling called Jobber to the Stars. You have a guy or a team with some name recognition. And they get to beat some random dudes. (Jackson State, Middle Tennessee State) But if they face somebody with any sort of expectation? They’re basically a guarantee game. Thus, they are the Conquistadors.

Auburn is…The Colossal Connection

Because Auburn is a school with traditionally outsized expectations. Bobby Lowder is a man who wanted this team to be as good as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The problem with that? Chris Todd’s arm is as strong as a post Princess Bride Andre was agile. The defense hits hard and I know that Antonio Coleman’s going to poke the eye out of Jimmy Jack Funk if he crosses him.

Arkansas is…the Rockers

This is mainly due to their post team career. The offense is something that is destined for bigger and better things. A lot of talent on that side of the ball. The defense? They’re the one destined for a long string of drug arrests and 18 person audiences. Ryan Mallet’s got a superkick that would take your head clean off.

Ole Miss is…The Fabulous Freebirds

They’re the team that’s built on swagger and style. You have a gunslinging quarterback in Jevan Snead. You have two playmakers in Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge. You have a defense that will hit you as if you have been blindsided by a foreign object. I know Oxford doesn’t seem to have much bad on their streets, but there is a chance for the most genteel championship riot of all time.

Alabama is…Money Inc.

Everybody has a price. Everybody’s gonna pay. And you know that the Million Dollar Saban? He always gets his way.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Well.

LSU is…The Four Horsemen

They aren’t exactly the most charismatic team that you build a narrative over. Not to say that Les Miles doesn’t work well from the meme that he is the Ric Flair of the SEC. (If Ric Flair wore hats.) But the team is at its best when the offense is technically proficient and the defense will beat you down in the parking lot. Last year? This was the iteration where you had to deal with Paul Romo or Steve McMichael.

Vanderbilt is…The Fabulous Rougeaus

The offense is filled with ennui. Self-loathing. People who smoke clove cigarettes. Add to that a love of independent film and DeGrassi. The defense is filled with technical proficency and hard hitting. They are as well coached as a team managed by the Mouth of the South. But this is a team that reeks of Quebecois.

Kentucky is…The Public Enemy

Few teams get so much out of so little like Rich Brooks and the Wildcats. They’re trying for their fourth straight bowl win off of little more than Randall Cobb, Trevard Lindley, and a frying pan. You don’t know how they’re going to do this. But if you take them lightly? They will put you through a table.

South Carolina is…The Hart Foundation

If the Hart Foundation was in some sort of an Ultamaceian time paradox. The offense is Bret Hart. The bitter, concussed, stroked out Bret Hart. The defense? Ellis Johnson has a team that is ready willing and able to punch you in the mouth, stroke their awesome goat, and cackle about it. Just ask Russell Wilson. But the best there was isn’t exactly going to hold up their end of the deal.

Tennessee is…Demolition

Now, you look at the way the Road Warriors had galvanized mid-80′s tag-team wrestling and the WWE asked why not us? So they have the Dave Clausen like success of the outfit known as the Powers of Pain. But you dress up this new era? You get the power and the paint of top prospect Bryce Brown and the outlaw tomfoolery of one Lane Kiffin. In some form or fashion, these kids will be Walking Disasters.  

Georgia is…The Twin Towers

As this is the greatest official rivalry in the SEC, you need to have the great foil to the super duo. And as Florida is the Mania and the Madness? Georgia has to be the Law and Order and the Jive Soul Bro. They are a talented team, and if you are anybody else besides a championship contender and or Florida? They will break your face off.

Florida is…The Megapowers

You have Hulk Hogan (Tim Tebow) and Randy “Macho Man” Savage (Brandon Spikes) both in their primes. You have Urban Meyer as a savvier Miss Elizabeth. You have a team that’s bound to win every game that they play. The only thing that I can see that ends them is if Brandon Spikes accuses Tim Tebow of jealous eyes.

So while you wonder if anyone can take the Megapowers down? I’ll do something else. I already know, dear reader.

I already know.

South Carolina vs. North Carolina State, 2009 Prediction Preview
By: Flounder at leftoverhotdog.blogspot.com

This is not the same NCSU that South Carolina made look silly last year on national TV. This is a much improved team lead by a flat-out all-star at quarterback. He is the focal point of NCSU’s offense and to be honest is directly tied to the potential success of the 2009 NCSU Wolfpack. If Wilson lives up to the hype then NCSU could be in line for ACC glory but if he folds or gets hurt then the offense becomes one dimensional and is in trouble.
The Gamecocks are coming off yet another late-season collapse, while NC State is headed in the opposite direction, after stringing together four consecutive wins to end the 2008 regular season.
Led by quarterback Russell Wilson, the NC State Wolfpack will be looking to avenge a 34-0 loss to the Gamecocks in their season opener a year ago. The offense developed into one of the better units in the ACC last year, and will look to give the South Carolina defense a tough early challenge.
South Carolina, on the other hand, will be breaking in a number of new offensive starters and will be looking for some new playmakers to step up offensively.
Enough of that as let’s look at the Gamecocks chances of making it two years in a row by defeating the Wolfpack on ESPN at Carter-Finlay stadium in front of a “white out” crowd.
Wolfpack Offense: No secret here. A healthy and productive Wilson will be the most important piece of the offensive puzzle if third-year coach Tom O’Brien wants to challenge for an Atlantic division championship in 2009.

After being knocked out of last year’s opener against South Carolina, Wilson went on to prove why he could be the next great dual-threat college quarterback. The Richmond, Va. native threw for 17 touchdowns and only one interception while racking up nearly 2,000 yards through the air. On the ground, Wilson compiled 388 rushing yards and four touchdowns. However, perhaps most impressive is Wilson’s ability to limit his turnovers. Coming into this season, Wilson carries a streak of 249 pass attempts without an interception. Bottom line is this kid is good either running or passing and plays smart.
On top of that threat at QB the NC State Wolfpack have a strong running game led by Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene. Then they have decent receiving corps made up of WR – Jarvis Williams and Darrell Davis on one side and WR – Owen Spencer and T.J. Graham on the other. Not to mention tight ends George Bryan & Matt Kushner.
The greatest strength outside of QB Wilson in my view is the NCSU Offensive Line. These boys are big and nasty. The gamecocks defensive front will have their hands full on Thursday trying to bust through.
Gamecocks Defense: SC has a young secondary that is tall on talent yet short on experience. It will be crucial to gamecock success on how this unit fares in keeping NCSU QB Wilson honest by playing tight coverage, not given too much of a cushion yet recognizing the run and limiting that threat. The second point that is crucial is again the defensive surge upfront for Carolina. They have to disrupt Wilson. They have to get to him a few times and knock him around or put hands up. If the NCSU Offensive Line keeps Wilson’s jersey clean then it may be a long game for Carolina.

Wolfpack Defense: The N.C. State defense was dealt a huge blow in the offseason when linebacker Nate Irving suffered a broken leg and a collapsed lung in a car accident. Arguably the Wolfpack’s best defensive player in 2008, Irving racked up 84 tackles, four interceptions and one fumble recovery last season. In Irving’s absence, look for first-team All-ACC defensive end Willie Young to take the reins and become the leader of the defense. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior from Riviera Beach, Fla., recorded 6.5 sacks in 2008, along with an interception and two fumble recoveries. If Young can put pressure on USC QB Garcia, he can relieve some of the pressure in the secondary caused by Irving’s absence and make the whole defense better as a result. Young will anchor the defensive end position alongside onetime Gamecock Shea McKeen and use his tremendous pass rushing ability to add to his 12.5 career sack total. The weak spot is in the NCSU secondary and this is an area USC must exploit to win.
Gamecocks Offense: USC QB Stephen Garcia, well it’s on you. No more turnovers! I swear if there was a national championship for “shooting yourself in the foot” in college football then USC would be defending champs.
If Garcia steps up and leads this team then Carolina has a big chance to make this a Carolina victory. Garcia must be able to keep the ball moving down the field and keep the NCSU offense off the field. Along with that comes the renewed ground attack that has to find success vs. NCSU. The USC receiving corp is young yet again talented. The gamecocks will have an aggressive offensive line with wider splits to allow for running lanes but will they hold up against the NCSU front? Biggest question on offense is – who will step up for Carolina as USC lost many stars on offense?

5 keys to a Gamecock Win

1. Limiting NCSU’s Wilson with strong play from the USC D line
2. USC winning the TO and ball position game
3. USC’s QB having success through the air on a suspect NCSU secondary
4. USC’s O Line keeping NCSU’s McKeen and Young out of the USC backfield
5. Gamecocks Special Teams

Summary:
There’s no question that the NC State offense has the edge over the South Carolina offense on paper going into this game, and it will be up to the Gamecock defense to keep their team in the game long enough to let the offense settle down. Biggest issue with the gamecocks due to this young team is who is ready to make an impact. I feel this young team is hungry and wants to prove to the world that USC football is tired of being ‘so-so.’ The biggest issue in this game is limiting the threat of Wilson at QB. This is on the USC defense and it will not be easy but they must fight for every inch. USC must be aggressive and hit hard. South Carolina’s defensive leaders like Eric Norwood and Cliff Matthews can set the tone early with some pressure in the backfield and some good hits.

I feel this game will be close due to the play of the USC defense; with that the game rests on the arm of USC qb Garcia, who must have a good game. If Garcia sucks then so does USC’s season. I feel the gamecocks special teams will play a factor in the outcome.

I think this is going to be a close 23-20 win for USC.  What do you think it will be? Please comment below!

SEC Football Preseason Predictions, 2009. Here they are short and sweet. I know that my predictions will not only raise eyebrows, but they will also bring my sanity into question. I can only say that I think the SEC West is the deepest we have ever seen. Parody will be the SEC West’s surname. With 2 weeks to go in the season there will be several teams with shots at going to the Atlanta for the championship. The SEC East will be sewn up fairly quickly by the impenetrable Florida Gators. Georgia will make a lot of heads turn picking up the trash.

Auburn and Tennessee will both bring some normalcy to the picture by running the ball and keeping their defense fresh so they can do what they know how to do. The coaches have changed but the top level talent is still there. The coaches and assistants will bring new life.  Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss will all come back to Earth a little. Well, Alabama a lot. Alabama lost their best passing QB of all time ( by the #’s ), and they lost their top 1 or 2 ranked offensive lineman throughout their storied program’s history. Last year was the perfect storm for them, and they still lost their last 2 games.

Please do not be too offended, if your team is not where you expect it. This is the best conference in the nation, and it is the deepest I have ever seen it. #5 through #11 could lose to each other any given Saturday. #5 through #11 would be the pride of any other conference. That’s just how the SEC roles.

1. Florida: 12-1, 1st in SEC East with a 7-1 SEC record = SEC Champions
2. Georgia: 11-2, 2nd in SEC East with a 6-2 SEC record
3. Alabama: 9-4, Tied 1st in SEC West with a 5-3 SEC record
4. LSU: 9-4, Tied 1st in SEC West with a 5-3 SEC record
5. South Carolina: 9-4, 3rd in SEC East with a 5-3 SEC record
6. Auburn: 9-4, Tied 3rd in SEC West with a 4-4 SEC record
7. Ole Miss: 8-5, Tied 3rd in SEC West with a 4-4 SEC record
8. Tennessee: 7-6, Tied 4th in SEC East with a 3-5 SEC record
9. Vanderbilt: 6-6, Tied 4th in SEC East with a 3-5 SEC record
10. Arkansas: 5-7, 5th in SEC West with a 3-5 SEC record
11. Kentucky: 5-7, 6th in SEC East with a 2-6 SEC record
12. Mississippi State: 3-9 , 6th in SEC West with a 0-8 SEC record

That’s just how the SEC roles.

2009 SEC Coaches Southpark Style, Pic. This meme started in 2007. It was continued in 2008. I did not want to see it stop. I have included most of your favorite stereotypes. The most obligatory of course being “Richt is angel-ish” and “Saban is Satan-ish”. I hope you like it.

Click on the pic to enlarge.

Top Rated SEC Football Quarterbacks 1-12. This article is a special feature made exclusively for our friends at SECFootballBlogger.  Please visit us at SECRivals.com.

From top to bottom, how do the quarterbacks of the SEC rank?  Do these rankings parlay into BCS success for their teams?  In most cases, the answer is obviously yes while in other cases, it doesn’t really matter.  This is an unbiased top-down analysis of each starting quarterback from the best league in the nation.

Upper Tier:

1.  This is a no brainer.  Unless you have been living underneath a rock for the past four years, then you know what Tim Tebow has done for the Florida Gators.  We believe that no explanation is needed.  Tebow simply accounted for 3500 total yards and 42 TD’s last season.  That’s all.  Even in an offense that lessened his physical hits, the man rushed for 792 yards + 12 TD’s….and then passed for 2,746 yards and 30 TD’s while only throwing 4 picks.  He has already won two BCS Titles, met Chuck Norris, witnessed to Death Row inmates, and cured cancer….twice.  Seriously, there are some major flaws that will limit Tebow’s success at the next level rather than this one.  He must improve his foot work in the pocket, make more concise pre-snap reads and work on his short to medium route throwing motion.  Other than that, win another BCS Title, feed the needy, and cure the Swine Flu.

2.  Jevan Snead:  Snead threw 29 more passes than Tebow, but only amassed 16 more yards passing.  He must improve his TD/INT ration (2-1) in order to lead Ole Miss over the hump into the fertile ground of the BCS Bowl system.  Snead has a fluid throwing motion, makes smart decisions (for the most part) and is a solid fit for Houston Nutt’s system.

3.  Jordan Jefferson:  Yes, we are either high on this kid or just simply high.  LSU had to burn his red shirt season due to injuries and Jefferson moved the team on up.  The kid reminds us of Ryan Perrilloux….minus the mouth and the police.  While only hitting on 49.3% of his passes, Jefferson had a 4-1 TD ratio.  Very smart player who should be able to push LSU past the pick six doldrums that were witnessed last season.

4.  Joe Cox:  Might not have Matt Stafford’s strong arm or smoking hot girlfriend, but Cox has the intangibles that coaches seek:  accuracy and leadership.  This was a risk putting him this high on the list due to only having 432 career passing yards…..BUT, Cox is not a newcomer and as long as he keeps his head screwed on straight without going Varsity Blues on the team, will have a successful coming out party.

5.  Greg McElroy: Another reach at this spot, but looking at the rest of the list, not THAT much of a reach.  McElroy made some good reads in the Spring Game vs a vanilla defense.  It will be interesting to see how he reacts to a chocolate chip defense with real live mean a$$ed SEC defensive linemen trying to extricate his head from his shoulders.  Did seem to get rattled from mistakes in the Spring.

6.  Ryan Mallet:  Was not THAT impressive at Michigan, but looking back at what he had to work with, maybe he did a better job than most think.  HUGE physical specimen, welcome to the SEC.  Will he be a product of  in a system the same way that Brian Brohm at Louisville?  Yes, but expect a TON of yards from that system.

7.  Stephen Garcia:  Otherwise known as Steve Spurrier’s heart attack in waiting.  Garcia has some untapped talent hiding beneath the surface.  If he simply settles down and plays within the system and learns to look before throwing the ball away, he will be ok.  Tends to force the ball too much and must also improve his ratio (6-8).

8.  Tyson Lee:  Can he handle Dan Mullen’s system?  In the past played well enough to keep the team from getting beat.  In the new system, MUST be able to make fast decisions and stick with the decision made.  How much of the actual system has been implemented?  When Croom took the job over, only 30% of his offense was installed prior to opening day…..on the day he was fired, apparently that number had fallen to less than 5%.

9.  Jonathan Crompton:  Has never reached his potential.  Former OC David Cutcliffe privately stated that Crompton would not have been his starter (if he had not taken the Duke job).  Must have an iron will and a strong backbone to withstand the beatings from SEC defennses and home town fans.

10.  Mike Hartline:  Lacks mobility.  Must improve his ratio (9-8) or he will be watching from the bench again.  Has the talent, has the QB coach, he just needs to settle down and take what is being given to him.

11.  Kodi Burns:  Did not have fantastic numbers last year, but then again had to learn a new offense in mid-season.  Will get better with experience.  Must anticipate where the safety is at and can not suffer through another 2-7 ratio year.  A simplified offense will make this player look like a stud.

12.  Larry Smith:  He has the generic name, plays for the team that doesn’t have an athletic department……the only reason we put Smith in this spot is simple:  he has only played in two games.  He slides to the 12 spot simply due to having less experience than the others.  Some will argue that several others have the same amount of experience, but it is really apples to oranges.  Smith has a bright future, but only time will tell.

South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood said Monday he has changed his mind about entering the NFL Draft in favor of staying in school. Norwood led the SEC in sacks this past season. Norwood declared after the Outback Bowl that he would head into the NFL draft.

“I’ve been looking at some of the guys from last year who increased their draft stock by returning, so I changed my mind. I like the security that returning to school will provide”, said Norwood. Eric Norwood had nine sacks and 75 tackles this season.

SEC Football Bowl Schedule 2008. These are the bowls that all of the SEC schools are going to be playing in. As I write my predictions, I will link to them on this page. I think the SEC will do good. The SEC season started off rough, but the whole conference got better, as usual. Read the predictions, and tell me what you think. Thanks!

• BCS National Championship Game: Florida (12-1) vs Oklahoma (12-1)
  Jan. 8, 8 p.m., (FOX)
• Sugar Bowl: Utah (12-0) vs. Alabama (12-1)
  Jan. 2, 8 p.m., FOX
• AutoZone Liberty Bowl: East Carolina (9-4) vs. Kentucky (6-6)
  Jan. 2, 5 p.m., (ESPN)
• AT&T Cotton Bowl: Ole Miss (8-4) vs. Texas Tech (11-1)
  Jan. 2, 2 p.m., FOX
• Capital One Bowl: Michigan State (9-3) vs. Georgia (9-3)
  Jan 1., 1 p.m., (ABC)
• Outback Bowl: Iowa (8-4) vs. South Carolina (7-5)
  Jan. 1, 11 a.m. (ESPN)
• Chick-fil-A Bowl: Georgia Tech (9-3) vs. LSU (7-5)
  Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
• Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Boston College (9-4) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)
  Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)