A Riveting Game Of High Stakes Poker
posted by Scott Hood, Monday, January 18, 2010
Just another day in the recruiting wars.
So who’s right, if anybody?
Well, the only thing we know right now is Lattimore is down to two schools – USC and Auburn – and that he plans to announce his decision at his church in Spartanburg on Feb. 2, the day before National Signing Day.
Oregon and Penn State have, apparently, been eliminated Sunday from consideration. I guess that means Lattimore won’t take his official visit to the West Coast this weekend.
But five days is an eternity in recruiting and things can change very quickly. I’m sure the Oregon coaches have already contacted Lattimore and tried to convince him to fly to Eugene.
I’ve also read Joe Paterno is still planning on traveling to South Carolina for his previously scheduled in-home visit next week. Don’t count out JoePa just yet.
Anything is possible in recruiting, which is why I always say it’s never over until the prospect actually signs his LOI on the dotted line.
With that being said, do I believe the report that surfaced Sunday night that Auburn holds a “slight lead” for Lattimore? No.
If Lattimore actually said that, I’m willing to call his bluff in this riveting game of high-stakes poker.
Lattimore is a very smart, thoughtful and mature young man (he won’t be another Demetris Summers, if you’re concerned about that) and through the frenzied recruiting process has become quite media savvy.
I believe his purported statement to the Auburn web site that the Tigers hold a “slight lead” was done intentionally to counter the media reports earlier in the evening where unnamed sources “who spoke with Lattimore” said he “planned” to play for the Gamecocks.
The biggest test Lattimore faces over the next two weeks is sustaining the drama until his much-anticipated announcement on Signing Day Eve. No player wants his day in the spotlight spoiled, and I can guarantee plenty of media will be there in Spartanburg on Feb. 2.
I predict Lattimore will continue to play the USC and Auburn media off each other until the big day arrives. That’s what you do if you want to keep people in suspense.
With NSD 16 days away, which school do I believe Lattimore will ultimately sign with? USC.
But does Auburn still have a chance to sign Lattimore? Sure. It’s probably a 51-49 lead for USC, so the final tally is still within the margin of error.
I also believe his comments to the Auburn web site are another example of telling someone what they wanted to hear rather than the absolute truth. Auburn sites have been prolific in contending the odds of Lattimore signing with the Tigers are close to 80 percent, which, of course, is laughable.
The fact Steve Spurrier has the final home visit on Jan. 30 before Lattimore goes into lock-down mode bodes well for the Gamecocks.
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In a span of two hours Sunday night, highly-touted running back Marcus Lattimore went from “planning to sign with USC” to being a “slight lean” to Auburn.
Just another day in the recruiting wars.
So who’s right, if anybody?
Well, the only thing we know right now is Lattimore is down to two schools – USC and Auburn – and that he plans to announce his decision at his church in Spartanburg on Feb. 2, the day before National Signing Day.
Oregon and Penn State have, apparently, been eliminated Sunday from consideration. I guess that means Lattimore won’t take his official visit to the West Coast this weekend.
But five days is an eternity in recruiting and things can change very quickly. I’m sure the Oregon coaches have already contacted Lattimore and tried to convince him to fly to Eugene.
I’ve also read Joe Paterno is still planning on traveling to South Carolina for his previously scheduled in-home visit next week. Don’t count out JoePa just yet.
Anything is possible in recruiting, which is why I always say it’s never over until the prospect actually signs his LOI on the dotted line.
With that being said, do I believe the report that surfaced Sunday night that Auburn holds a “slight lead” for Lattimore? No.
If Lattimore actually said that, I’m willing to call his bluff in this riveting game of high-stakes poker.
Lattimore is a very smart, thoughtful and mature young man (he won’t be another Demetris Summers, if you’re concerned about that) and through the frenzied recruiting process has become quite media savvy.
I believe his purported statement to the Auburn web site that the Tigers hold a “slight lead” was done intentionally to counter the media reports earlier in the evening where unnamed sources “who spoke with Lattimore” said he “planned” to play for the Gamecocks.
The biggest test Lattimore faces over the next two weeks is sustaining the drama until his much-anticipated announcement on Signing Day Eve. No player wants his day in the spotlight spoiled, and I can guarantee plenty of media will be there in Spartanburg on Feb. 2.
I predict Lattimore will continue to play the USC and Auburn media off each other until the big day arrives. That’s what you do if you want to keep people in suspense.
With NSD 16 days away, which school do I believe Lattimore will ultimately sign with? USC.
But does Auburn still have a chance to sign Lattimore? Sure. It’s probably a 51-49 lead for USC, so the final tally is still within the margin of error.
I also believe his comments to the Auburn web site are another example of telling someone what they wanted to hear rather than the absolute truth. Auburn sites have been prolific in contending the odds of Lattimore signing with the Tigers are close to 80 percent, which, of course, is laughable.
The fact Steve Spurrier has the final home visit on Jan. 30 before Lattimore goes into lock-down mode bodes well for the Gamecocks.
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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 @.