Report from Gamecock land.

[Bamadrill]

First, I think I did the right think by waiting until this morning (clear head) to post. Yesterday a good ole Army buddy and I went down to Gamecock land early (around 12:00) and got all set up for a heck of a day of football. I brought along my TV so that we would not miss the BAMA game.

My thoughts on that game are that we will still win another 4 or 5 games. As everyone knows we have no problems whatsoever running the ball. I think that given the CHANCE Guillon will show how good he really is.

Those of you that know me from last year knows that I mostly posted when drunk and everything I said was negative. I have developed a different attitude and gameplan (don't drink and keyboard) for this year and all the following years to come. Nuff said on that!

Folks, having watched Troy last night, I know that we can beat the Gamecocks. We can definately run against them and I know that we can sling it DEEP! It is my hope that Coach Shula and Staff allow Guillon to open it up a little bit more next week.

As we all know, the Gamecocks don't have much of a passing game. I think that Summers will be back next week. So look for the run. We can stop the run, and a difference from last year, we can also stop the pass.

I was there with my BAMA hat and gamecock shirt (only because my Son is a freshman at USC) cheering as hard as I coukld for Troy and they almost pulled it off. Once again we WILL win this weekend! ROLL TIDE from Gamecock Hell!

 

[bayoutider]

I remember you bamadrill. Glad you did the 180.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Good post, Bamadrill...

If everyone "reformed" as you have, moderating the board after a loss would be a lot easier...

 

[Bamarooski]

Welcome back Bamadrill

I think we can run on usc! as well! I'm trying to reform!

 

[Formerly BamaSC]

Not so fast, my friend

Like every exiled Bama fan living around here, we're all force-fed Gamecock propoganda on a daily basis. I didn't see the Gamecock game last night, but I believe they're probably a better team than Arkansas (except at QB). Their passing game, I think, is under-rated. They have probably the best WR in the league in Troy(?) Williamson, and when Newton is in at QB, they have no problem finding him.

Summers, when healthy, is among the best RB's in the league as well, and I expect they held him out last night to make sure he's ready for Bama. Their defense has quietly been posting some impressive performances. They fly to the ball and make sure tackles most of the time.

I think Bama will be very lucky to get out of this game with a win. We'll definately need more production from the passing game and fewer mistakes in special teams.

 

[RollTideinGA]

I didn't see the Gamecock game last night, but I believe they're probably a better team than Arkansas (except at QB). Their passing game, I think, is under-rated. They have probably the best WR in the league in Troy(?) Williamson, and when Newton is in at QB, they have no problem finding him.

Summers, when healthy, is among the best RB's in the league as well, and I expect they held him out last night to make sure he's ready for Bama. Their defense has quietly been posting some impressive performances. They fly to the ball and make sure tackles most of the time.

I think Bama will be very lucky to get out of this game with a win. We'll definately need more production from the passing game and fewer mistakes in special teams.

Well sounds like a former Bama fan sliding off the ship towards Cockland...

I work with a USC grad and he doesnt share your enthusiasm. I dont think USC is even close to an Arkansas.

As for how great their QB, WR and RB are...whatever.

Statistically speaking their RB doesnt even rank in the top-10 in the SEC. While Ray Hudson ranks second, Kenneth Darby 5th.

Qs for the QB they will have us beat on experience. But the SC QB doesnt rank in the top-10 in the SEC. While Matt Jones ranks 2nd in the SEC. Matt Jones also ranks as the #1 overall offensive player in the SEC. Sorry but no SC player is on that list.

Now the WR's I will give you because SC does have Boyd and Williamson in the Top 10 WR's in the SEC.

Yes USC looked impressive in wins over Vandy and USF, and they struggled with Troy. Oh sure Troy is a powerhouse team. And USC did stay in there with UGA, but not really. UGA is not a good offenseive team this year, and they were missing two of their best defensive players when they played. But they USC gave up a 16-3 lead to allow UGA to march down field and win.

Bama looked impressive in wins over Utah St, Ole Miss, and WCU. Sure they arent power houses and they arent a UGA or Troy, but we beat them with ease the way we are supposed to. Not like in recent years when we struggled. Now we lose our team leader, go on the road, dominate an SEC opponent, but allow them to get a few to a great athelete that allowed them to be in position to win. Not to mention the lucky bounce and stuff. But Alabama did look impressive in that game. The defense held them at bay, the offense moved the ball (even as one dimensional), but we didnt put points on the board.

USC has not faced a rushing attack like Alabama's. Thanks to our lack luster performance in the passing game yesterday the entire nation and some Bama fatithful believe we arent that good or one dimensional. If Guillon improves this week and the right plays are called for him the nation (ESPN crowd) will see a true Bama team. With the home field advantage, a night game at BDS, and a fired up team coming off the loss.

Now our defense is good too, but they dont get the love because of the loss, but they will shock you too.

USC doesnt have a Matt Jones on the field, and not other SEC team does. The Tide will win Saturday over the Gamecocks. It wont be easy, it will be tough because it is an SEC matchup.

I predict the Tide wins by a TD at home. If the game was at Cockland I would probably say they win by one TD. But I would still predict a BAMA win. :wink:

 

[Bamarooski]

You forgot about coaching Holtz is loved by the media! and always has a trick or two up the sleeve hopefully not sat. night!

 

[RollTideinGA]

You forgot about coaching Holtz is loved by the media! and always has a trick or two up the sleeve hopefully not sat. night!

No I didnt forget him. The USC co-worker friend of mine cant stand the guy. Thinks his play calling cost them some games. And thinks he uses old washed up tricks.

 

[Bamarooski]

Well Bamanation used to think Gene stalling was to conservative, but I sure wished in the last 5 years it would have been Coach Stalling at the helm he was a winner and so is Holtz and South Carolina better be glad they have him! sure he went 0-11 1 year and hasn't had alot of success thier as of yet! Believe me he can Coach! just MO! RTR

 

[Probius]

Statistically speaking their RB doesnt even rank in the top-10 in the SEC. While Ray Hudson ranks second, Kenneth Darby 5th.

actually Hudson now ranks first in the SEC, and I believe Darby is 4th. But Hudson should have no trouble running against SC. However Shula is going to have to open it up some on offense. Shula said over and over again that we weren't going to crawl into a shell against Arkansas, which is exactly what we did and I believe it got us beat. The running game was strong early, but had trouble later when Arkansas knew we were going to run. Plus it looked like MG was trying to do too much by himself. If Shula will give MG more of a chance to throw it around, ecspecially early, then Bama should beat SC.

 

[Bamarooski]

Thank you!( forever)for the truth watch it though! it got me in trouble! I personally think Shula trys to open it up this week!

 

[Formerly BamaSC]

Not slipping

Well sounds like a former Bama fan sliding off the ship towards Cockland...

Oh goodness no. I'm a a born and bred Bama fan and grad and will never slip.

It wan't my intention to draw position by position comparisons between Bama and the Cocks...just pointing out that they've got some playmakers over there also.

Overall, Bama is the better team. With some (hopefully) improved offensive output, we should take this one.

 

[SCrammerjammer]

WE are still Alabama and USC and Holtz (especially) want to beat us in the worst way.

Gotta win this one. This is a must win game for us. Well, it is for ME. :biggrin2:

 

[Bamadrill]

It dang sure better be a win, I'll not be able to stand all the Little **** stuff around here if we don't.

 

[RollTideinGA]

It dang sure better be a win, I'll not be able to stand all the Little **** stuff around here if we don't.

Yeah, I think if we lose this weekend I will not read the forum for about 3 months. I wont be able to stand all the moaning and complaining.

I had to leave the forum early last season cause I was tired of all the whinning on here. I actually enjoyed the games more. I didnt wonder what the internet fans were going to bash that week. Sure the season had a bad record, but I had fun at the games because I didnt read the boards.

 

[1BamaNita]

Amen!!!

Yeah, I think if we lose this weekend I will not read the forum for about 3 months. I wont be able to stand all the moaning and complaining.

I had to leave the forum early last season cause I was tired of all the whinning on here. I actually enjoyed the games more. I didnt wonder what the internet fans were going to bash that week. Sure the season had a bad record, but I had fun at the games because I didnt read the boards.

You hit on the reason I haven't been around as much over the past couple of years. It gets extremely tiresome to read all the whining, complaining, and worse, the bashing that sometimes goes on.

Funny thing too, if you try to be positive and respond to some of them, then you get trashed because "we have a right to our opinion!" Those doing the bashing seem to forget having a right to their opinion doesn't include a right not to be challenged on it. They also forget that us "sunshine pumpers" have just as much a right to OUR opinions, too.

I was a lot happier with football before I discovered internet football message boards.

 

[trenda]

You hit on the reason I haven't been around as much over the past couple of years. It gets extremely tiresome to read all the whining, complaining, and worse, the bashing that sometimes goes on.

Funny thing too, if you try to be positive and respond to some of them, then you get trashed because "we have a right to our opinion!" Those doing the bashing seem to forget having a right to their opinion doesn't include a right not to be challenged on it. They also forget that us "sunshine pumpers" have just as much a right to OUR opinions, too.

I was a lot happier with football before I discovered internet football message boards.

Ditto both of you!!

On to this year's game. I feel like if we can shut down Williams, we will make an average (gratuitous) offense even less so. At that point, I like our chances of shutting down their running game. Eliminate any big plays from SC and I think our gameplan for Arkansas succeeds this week. I believe our running game can win this game.

RTR

:biga2:

 

[B Cocky]

RollTideinGA, I'm not coming here to start a fight or flame or anything else. I saw your post yesterday and had to point out some flaws in your arguments and how I feel about this game.

1. you said that our QB is not in the top 10 passing in the SEC. wrong, Dondrial Pinkins is 5th in the SEC in passing, and also in total offense. That is despite only playing 2.5 games. our backup QB, Syvelle Newton is 14th total offense in the SEC. if all those stats were given to our starter, he would likely be 1 or 2 in both categories. that's TWO USC QBs in the top 14 in total offense. btw, Alabama on has one player in the top 14 in total offense.....Croyle, who won't be playing this week.

2. you said that our RB isn't ranked in the SEC for rushing. that is true and there are several reasons. first, we have been using a 6 man RB by committee. I don't agree with this, but it's what's been happening, so if you add up our total rushing, you'll see it's actually pretty good. I believe we had close to 300 yards rushing in the Vandy game alone. another reason is that our #1, Demetris Summers, has been hurt since the first play of the UGA game. Someone on here said he's questionable for this week....wrong, you can look forward to seeing a healthy Summers this weekend....he was held out of the Troy game so he would be healthy for Bama.

3. you pointed out Troy Williamson, which would be correct because he's first in receiving in the SEC and as of last week, second in the entire country. you didn't say it, but someone else said that we are one dimensional if Williamson is covered. wrong again. you pointed out that Boyd (a running back) is dangerous as a receiver. that's true, but our two biggest threats aside from Williamson are Noah Whitesides and Matthew Thomas. Thomas has not been used much this year, but he is extremely dangerous.

I don't believe you mentioned our defense at all. our D returns 9 of 11 starters from last year. our secondary is MUCH improved with Ko Simpson and Fred Bennett having made huge plays already this year. our entire D line and LB corp is back from last year and I believe you will see 8 in the box against your O. an ESPN analyst called our defensive ends "the best bookend tandem in the entire nation". not saying that Bama won't be able to run, but I do not believe that they will run at will.

another question I have is about quality opponents. we faced UGA, and SHOULD have beat them. we beat Troy who have already proven this year that they are a good team. if not for stupid mistakes against Troy, the game could've very easily have been 28-3 at halftime. Bama has played Arkansas. I have my questions about whether or not they are as good as they appear. no question that they are well coached and that Matt Jones is easily the best QB in the SEC. but honestly, with only 3 or 4 returning starters, who good can they be??

you said that you watched the UGA game and were not really impressed with us. obviously, I was very disappointed. but you must realize, our team for the most part is built around Demetris Summers. with him being hurt on the first play, it changed everything. also Whitesides, our #2 receiver, was suspended for that game and Williamson, our #1 receiver, was hurt late in the game when we needed him the most. I don't believe you pointed out that we effectively shut down UGA's O for the entire game until the 4th quarter when our D was worn out from a lack of offensive production. UGA beat us, and I'm over it. but I'm convinced that the reason they beat us was their depth....depth that Alabama just does not have. I feel that our starters, playing as a team, can play with and beat anyone in the country. depth is where we get beat. but I am not greatly concerned with Alabama's depth.

I believe this will be a close game, but only because it's in Alabama, home field advantage. our team has a different attitude than last year, and they know the expectations. this is the year that our younger players now have experience. I feel our team is pretty much clicking on all cylinders right now, and you will see us as healthy as we've been since the Vandy game. thanks.

Go Cocks!

btw, come over to the www.gamecockcentral.com board