T-minus 13 days
posted by David Cloninger, 11/15/2009 11:13:00 AM
----------- GIN BLOSSOMS
This is the way it should be.
South Carolina may not have to beat Clemson to claim a bowl berth, but a win makes it definite. It will also give the Gamecocks a great feeling going into the bowl, instead of the disappointment of the past two years.
If they win.
“Everybody’s going to get ready to play really well against Clemson,” quarterback Stephen Garcia said, after labeling the game a “second season.” “It’s a must-win for us.”
Yes, it is.
Not only is this a rivalry game, but it’s a chance for USC to stop a late-season slide and avoid the trap of two seasons ago. With situations being what they are – Mississippi State could very easily lose out and clinch a bowl trip for the Gamecocks, no matter what happens against Clemson – beating the Tigers may not be necessary.
But as of right now, at this moment, it is. The Gamecocks must win, to salvage their pride and their season.
It’s a relief, actually, to see Steve Spurrier’s bunch approach the game in that fashion. They sure didn’t do it last year, already holding seven wins going into Death Valley.
But maybe that’s part of this whole “New Carolina.” The Gamecocks may take their lumps against the rest of the “Orange Crush,” but against Clemson, perhaps a new attitude will be in place.
A win this season will not erase USC’s sorry history in the rivalry – it’ll barely make a dent.
But all revolutions had to start with one act of defiance. This is as good a time as any for USC to begin re-claiming a side in this rivalry.
It’s better for the situation to be this way, for there to be a sense of urgency in winning this game. This column space has long been devoted to explaining how no USC football team seems to truly grasp the significance of the Clemson game, how they play the whole season with the “next game is most important” mindset and then attempt to gear up for the Tigers.
That is a smart way to approach it simply because Clemson is not an SEC rival. I will repeat myself – if the Gamecocks were playing in Atlanta for the SEC championship in three weeks, I would be front and center saying the Clemson game isn’t nearly as important.
But USC, as it always has, was eliminated long ago from title contention. It is at that point, during whatever season, that I have felt the Clemson game becomes top priority.
Having covered the Tigers for a number of years, I know their mindset about USC. They see the Gamecocks as a low hurdle they must clear every season. The Tigers are not allowed to lose to Clemson. If they do it one year, it won’t happen the next.
As the wins have mounted, Clemson has begun to take USC for granted, which is a privilege earned by a constant winner. The Tigers do not base their seasons being a success because of beating the Gamecocks because there has been no fear of the Gamecocks for a long, long time.
That needs to change. And it is a perfect chance for USC to do it beginning this year.
Clemson has got way bigger things on its mind than beating the Gamecocks. The Tigers are gunning for their division title and berth in the ACC championship game, which could lead to a BCS bowl slot. Tailback C.J. Spiller is doing a very fine job of giving Heisman Trophy voters another option to consider, outside of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy.
USC has two weeks to think about its opponent, heal and take the proper attitude into the rivalry game. Two weeks of watching game film, practicing and getting the bruises cleared up so everybody possible can play.
I say make it two weeks of implanting how important this rivalry is. Begin subtly, by slipping a slip of paper bearing the motto “65-37-4” underneath each plate on the training table and a small sign reading “31-14” just inside the locker room. Pipe in “Tiger Rag” on the PA during weightlifting sessions and begin each film study with a highlight of past USC great moments in the rivalry game.
There is nothing to be lost by trying.
And everything, including another rivalry game, a potential bowl slot and more respect from a long-suffering fan base, by not.
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“As long as it matters.”
----------- GIN BLOSSOMS
This is the way it should be.
South Carolina may not have to beat Clemson to claim a bowl berth, but a win makes it definite. It will also give the Gamecocks a great feeling going into the bowl, instead of the disappointment of the past two years.
If they win.
“Everybody’s going to get ready to play really well against Clemson,” quarterback Stephen Garcia said, after labeling the game a “second season.” “It’s a must-win for us.”
Yes, it is.
Not only is this a rivalry game, but it’s a chance for USC to stop a late-season slide and avoid the trap of two seasons ago. With situations being what they are – Mississippi State could very easily lose out and clinch a bowl trip for the Gamecocks, no matter what happens against Clemson – beating the Tigers may not be necessary.
But as of right now, at this moment, it is. The Gamecocks must win, to salvage their pride and their season.
It’s a relief, actually, to see Steve Spurrier’s bunch approach the game in that fashion. They sure didn’t do it last year, already holding seven wins going into Death Valley.
But maybe that’s part of this whole “New Carolina.” The Gamecocks may take their lumps against the rest of the “Orange Crush,” but against Clemson, perhaps a new attitude will be in place.
A win this season will not erase USC’s sorry history in the rivalry – it’ll barely make a dent.
But all revolutions had to start with one act of defiance. This is as good a time as any for USC to begin re-claiming a side in this rivalry.
It’s better for the situation to be this way, for there to be a sense of urgency in winning this game. This column space has long been devoted to explaining how no USC football team seems to truly grasp the significance of the Clemson game, how they play the whole season with the “next game is most important” mindset and then attempt to gear up for the Tigers.
That is a smart way to approach it simply because Clemson is not an SEC rival. I will repeat myself – if the Gamecocks were playing in Atlanta for the SEC championship in three weeks, I would be front and center saying the Clemson game isn’t nearly as important.
But USC, as it always has, was eliminated long ago from title contention. It is at that point, during whatever season, that I have felt the Clemson game becomes top priority.
Having covered the Tigers for a number of years, I know their mindset about USC. They see the Gamecocks as a low hurdle they must clear every season. The Tigers are not allowed to lose to Clemson. If they do it one year, it won’t happen the next.
As the wins have mounted, Clemson has begun to take USC for granted, which is a privilege earned by a constant winner. The Tigers do not base their seasons being a success because of beating the Gamecocks because there has been no fear of the Gamecocks for a long, long time.
That needs to change. And it is a perfect chance for USC to do it beginning this year.
Clemson has got way bigger things on its mind than beating the Gamecocks. The Tigers are gunning for their division title and berth in the ACC championship game, which could lead to a BCS bowl slot. Tailback C.J. Spiller is doing a very fine job of giving Heisman Trophy voters another option to consider, outside of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy.
USC has two weeks to think about its opponent, heal and take the proper attitude into the rivalry game. Two weeks of watching game film, practicing and getting the bruises cleared up so everybody possible can play.
I say make it two weeks of implanting how important this rivalry is. Begin subtly, by slipping a slip of paper bearing the motto “65-37-4” underneath each plate on the training table and a small sign reading “31-14” just inside the locker room. Pipe in “Tiger Rag” on the PA during weightlifting sessions and begin each film study with a highlight of past USC great moments in the rivalry game.
There is nothing to be lost by trying.
And everything, including another rivalry game, a potential bowl slot and more respect from a long-suffering fan base, by not.
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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 @.