These comfortable wins take some getting used to
posted by David Cloninger, 11/09/2008 02:48:00 PM
------- GUNS ’N ROSES
Better watch out, South Carolina fans. After two straight weeks of not having any fourth-quarter nervous stomachs, the result of two straight comfortable wins, you might start getting used to this.
Hasn’t it been a pleasant two weeks? The Gamecocks have taken care of business early and gotten to a point some thought was nearly impossible – a sizable margin over a big-name opponent or in a crucial situation. No wringing of the hands, no eyes darting around the stadium, no agonized pleas to just hold up for one more down.
Two wins. Quick, easy, to the point.
And seven wins overall, ensuring a bowl trip. It probably would have happened anyway with just six wins, but it’s definite now.
What I liked hearing after Saturday’s win over Arkansas was the Gamecocks saying they’re not satisfied with seven. They figure there’s two more games left, so seven plus two is nine, get it?
“It feels good, but I’m looking for win number eight now,” said Stoney Woodson while tuning up for the alma mater.
A treacherous trip to The Swamp awaits, and USC’s already a man down for the first half after Chris Culliver’s needlessly foolish actions against Arkansas (Yeah, the replay shows the defender was attempting to separate Culliver’s head from his neck, but get the guy down on the ground, man; don’t swing at him). But Culliver will be back in the second half – and really, the way backup Akeem Auguste played against the Razorbacks, I don’t think it will be that much of a drop in productivity.
It should be an interesting three weeks. I want to see if Steve Spurrier sticks with the in-and-out rotation of Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia. True, it worked great when it came to getting the play in, but USC again scored mostly because the defense set it up or it hit a big play.
Neither looked great but neither looked terrible, but if it got a win, I’m guessing the Gamecocks could care less what it looked like.
Plus, the defense gets its toughest test yet, trying to stop a high-octane offense that’s been rolling out points like some people eat popcorn. I’m sure Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin are already planning on ways to take advantage of Culliver’s absence, which should make for a couple of early deep balls.
Whatever happens, enjoy the feeling right now. It’s been a long time since that awful night in Nashville in September.
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“It’s so easy.”
------- GUNS ’N ROSES
Better watch out, South Carolina fans. After two straight weeks of not having any fourth-quarter nervous stomachs, the result of two straight comfortable wins, you might start getting used to this.
Hasn’t it been a pleasant two weeks? The Gamecocks have taken care of business early and gotten to a point some thought was nearly impossible – a sizable margin over a big-name opponent or in a crucial situation. No wringing of the hands, no eyes darting around the stadium, no agonized pleas to just hold up for one more down.
Two wins. Quick, easy, to the point.
And seven wins overall, ensuring a bowl trip. It probably would have happened anyway with just six wins, but it’s definite now.
What I liked hearing after Saturday’s win over Arkansas was the Gamecocks saying they’re not satisfied with seven. They figure there’s two more games left, so seven plus two is nine, get it?
“It feels good, but I’m looking for win number eight now,” said Stoney Woodson while tuning up for the alma mater.
A treacherous trip to The Swamp awaits, and USC’s already a man down for the first half after Chris Culliver’s needlessly foolish actions against Arkansas (Yeah, the replay shows the defender was attempting to separate Culliver’s head from his neck, but get the guy down on the ground, man; don’t swing at him). But Culliver will be back in the second half – and really, the way backup Akeem Auguste played against the Razorbacks, I don’t think it will be that much of a drop in productivity.
It should be an interesting three weeks. I want to see if Steve Spurrier sticks with the in-and-out rotation of Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia. True, it worked great when it came to getting the play in, but USC again scored mostly because the defense set it up or it hit a big play.
Neither looked great but neither looked terrible, but if it got a win, I’m guessing the Gamecocks could care less what it looked like.
Plus, the defense gets its toughest test yet, trying to stop a high-octane offense that’s been rolling out points like some people eat popcorn. I’m sure Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin are already planning on ways to take advantage of Culliver’s absence, which should make for a couple of early deep balls.
Whatever happens, enjoy the feeling right now. It’s been a long time since that awful night in Nashville in September.
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David Cloninger. David is a full-time staff writer for GamecockCentral, and covers Gamecock football, men's basketball, baseball and recruiting. He may be reached by email at david(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.