Will The 2008 Schedule Really Be A Killer?
posted by Scott Hood, Friday, August 03, 2007
As you may know, we broke a story Thursday morning that USC and Vanderbilt will play next season on Thur. Sept. 4 in Nashville in a nationally televised game on ESPN.
With the 2008 season opener already scheduled for Thursday night against N.C. State on Aug. 28, it means USC will begin Steve Spurrier’s fourth campaign as head coach with consecutive Thursday night tilts on ESPN.
No doubt, Steve Spurrier will get more TV face time than Paris Hilton. Heck, the Head Ball Coach could end up on Larry King to discuss his experience.
With the Vanderbilt game moving to the second game of the season, it sets up a three-game gauntlet at the outset with N.C. State, at Vanderbilt, Georgia.
But it also sets up a grueling five-game stretch to close the year: LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas, at Florida, at Clemson.
Interestingly, USC has a pair of open dates during this period after the LSU and Florida games. I know Steve Spurrier dislikes open dates but they could be useful when next season passes the halfway mark.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for the doom and gloomers to make their presence felt after the article was published. I actually saw a post on TIF Thursday which fretted about the possibility of USC losing its final five regular season games in 2008.
Here’s my official reaction: Puh-leeze.
Actually, it should be “here we go again.”
This news bulletin just came over: the SEC is tough every year! The 2008 season will be no different than 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004. . .well, you get the message.
Since the “brutal” stretch is more than a full calendar year away, I’m not comfortable making a game-by-game prediction. But I know one thing: it’s a great opportunity for the Gamecocks to make a splash on a national level.
I understand most of the talk surrounding USC and its chances for a SEC title heading into the 2008 season will focus mostly on the final five-game span. Expect to hear and read plenty of this: "USC will start well but those final five games are a killer."
I’ve spoken to you in the past about the difference between fans who “hope” to win and fans who “expect” to win. It’s the same thing with coaches and players.
Steve Spurrier expects to win.
Taking a cue from their coach, some of the players also expect to win. But some, I believe, just hope to win.
The fans? The same.
How many Gamcocks fans walk into the stadium each Saturday truly expecting to win? Without conducting any scientific research whatsoever, I'm guessing its split.
That’s why USC is still a middle-tier program in the SEC right now. Physical talent aside, USC won’t rise into the top half of the conference unless they believe they can.
It’s all about the psychology, people.
Could USC theoretically lose all five games? Sure. Could they win all five games? You bet. Is it more rational to believe USC will win some and lose some? Probably.
Frankly, based on who is coming back for the 2008 season, I believe USC has an outstanding opportunity to start 7-0. Yes, the Gamecocks will have a new starting quarterback but whoever it is (my pick: Chris Smelley) will have two games to work out the kinks before the clash with Georgia on Sept. 13.
Let’s say USC starts 7-0. It’s entirely plausible since USC should be favored in at least six of those games. Don’t you think the players' confidence will be sky-high with LSU coming to town? Absolutely. If USC beats the Bayou Bengals at home, all bets are off.
I don’t view the Tennessee and Arkansas contests in 2008 being as intimidating as this season since both will be played at Williams-Brice Stadium and both teams should lose key offensive players (QB Erik Ainge, RB Darren McFadden) to the NFL following this season.
Moreover, USC will have two weeks to nurse injuries and prepare for the Volunteers. Spurrier’s coaching record when he has two weeks to prepare for an opponent is pretty good.
Don’t you feel better?
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With the start of fall camp for the 2007 season less than two days away, it's only appropriate to talk about the 2008 South Carolina football schedule.
As you may know, we broke a story Thursday morning that USC and Vanderbilt will play next season on Thur. Sept. 4 in Nashville in a nationally televised game on ESPN.
With the 2008 season opener already scheduled for Thursday night against N.C. State on Aug. 28, it means USC will begin Steve Spurrier’s fourth campaign as head coach with consecutive Thursday night tilts on ESPN.
No doubt, Steve Spurrier will get more TV face time than Paris Hilton. Heck, the Head Ball Coach could end up on Larry King to discuss his experience.
With the Vanderbilt game moving to the second game of the season, it sets up a three-game gauntlet at the outset with N.C. State, at Vanderbilt, Georgia.
But it also sets up a grueling five-game stretch to close the year: LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas, at Florida, at Clemson.
Interestingly, USC has a pair of open dates during this period after the LSU and Florida games. I know Steve Spurrier dislikes open dates but they could be useful when next season passes the halfway mark.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for the doom and gloomers to make their presence felt after the article was published. I actually saw a post on TIF Thursday which fretted about the possibility of USC losing its final five regular season games in 2008.
Here’s my official reaction: Puh-leeze.
Actually, it should be “here we go again.”
This news bulletin just came over: the SEC is tough every year! The 2008 season will be no different than 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004. . .well, you get the message.
Since the “brutal” stretch is more than a full calendar year away, I’m not comfortable making a game-by-game prediction. But I know one thing: it’s a great opportunity for the Gamecocks to make a splash on a national level.
I understand most of the talk surrounding USC and its chances for a SEC title heading into the 2008 season will focus mostly on the final five-game span. Expect to hear and read plenty of this: "USC will start well but those final five games are a killer."
I’ve spoken to you in the past about the difference between fans who “hope” to win and fans who “expect” to win. It’s the same thing with coaches and players.
Steve Spurrier expects to win.
Taking a cue from their coach, some of the players also expect to win. But some, I believe, just hope to win.
The fans? The same.
How many Gamcocks fans walk into the stadium each Saturday truly expecting to win? Without conducting any scientific research whatsoever, I'm guessing its split.
That’s why USC is still a middle-tier program in the SEC right now. Physical talent aside, USC won’t rise into the top half of the conference unless they believe they can.
It’s all about the psychology, people.
Could USC theoretically lose all five games? Sure. Could they win all five games? You bet. Is it more rational to believe USC will win some and lose some? Probably.
Frankly, based on who is coming back for the 2008 season, I believe USC has an outstanding opportunity to start 7-0. Yes, the Gamecocks will have a new starting quarterback but whoever it is (my pick: Chris Smelley) will have two games to work out the kinks before the clash with Georgia on Sept. 13.
Let’s say USC starts 7-0. It’s entirely plausible since USC should be favored in at least six of those games. Don’t you think the players' confidence will be sky-high with LSU coming to town? Absolutely. If USC beats the Bayou Bengals at home, all bets are off.
I don’t view the Tennessee and Arkansas contests in 2008 being as intimidating as this season since both will be played at Williams-Brice Stadium and both teams should lose key offensive players (QB Erik Ainge, RB Darren McFadden) to the NFL following this season.
Moreover, USC will have two weeks to nurse injuries and prepare for the Volunteers. Spurrier’s coaching record when he has two weeks to prepare for an opponent is pretty good.
Don’t you feel better?
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.