USC vs Arkansas 2010

University of South Carolina versus University of Arkansas
November 6, 2010

This game was going to be rough on this young South Carolina defense no matter what. The pass defense for USC has been nonexistent all year and Arkansas was 2^nd in the nation in passing offense. The Gamecocks came into this game #18, 19, or 20 depending on what poll you were looking at while Arkansas came into this game ranked 17^th, 18^th, or 19^th given the same scenario.

South Carolina took the opening kickoff and went three and out and punted to Arkansas. Ryan Mallett took over from there and from that opening drive you could tell that the South Carolina defense was going to be no match for the passing offensive juggernaut. At that point, the Gamecock nation could only hope that the Gamecocks could trade scores with Arkansas. The following Gamecock drive looked like South Carolina was going to be able to trade blows with the Razorbacks as they marched down the field and scored a touchdown but that was as close as the game would ever get as Arkansas stepped on the accelerator and didn’t let up. The score ended up being 41-20 but the game was not that close as South Carolina added a couple of late scores in “garbage time.”

The Gamecocks had some missed opportunities with a offensive pass interference call that negated a touchdown… A botched fake punt on a 4^th down play at their own  35 yard line or so which resulted in an Arkansas touchdown 3 or 4 plays later… They didn’t capitalize on an interception by Mallett on the first Arkansas drive in the 2^nd half as Garcia threw an interception of his own which allowed Arkansas an easy score.

I must say I expected this but only to the tune of 31-28 as I thought it would come down to Arkansas driving the field in the final 2 minutes.

Now, I am going to say that I am disappointed but I am still proud. As young as this team is with the talent they have, these guys have a bright future. For the next 2 years and possibly 3 to 4 years, the Gamecocks should be able to win 8 games per season and should win at least 2 of the next 3 against Clemson. The Gamecocks could definitely represent the SEC East in the next 2-3 SEC Championship games. If the Defense can revert back to the Defense of the past 2 or 3 years and the offense can continue clicking with Lattimore staying healthy, this team can be very, very dominate. We continue hearing about the “Chicken Curse” and it looks like it may actually exist; only time will tell.

All in all, I am disappointed in this loss but very proud of these kids. I will continue to support the Gamecocks and pull for them no matter what. I hope that in the next 10 years or so, I will be able to see this program rise to the top of the SEC and eventually make a run at the National Championship.

Now, to the USC Athletic Director and the folks at ESPN… Coach Steve Spurrier has already said he would play the likes of TCU, Boise State, or Utah and he would do it on ESPN just to see how good they are. ESPN, please make this happen and put it on the opening night of the season. Gamecock fans we need games like this… If we ever expect to get past the big teams in the SEC, we have to play quality opponents and not the likes of Furman, Troy, or even Southern Mississippi. Eric Hyman, make this happen… ESPN, make this happen. Just think about it… Neither TCU, Boise State, or Utah make it into the BCS National Championship this year but 2 of the 3 win BCS Bowl games…. You open next season at Williams-Brice Stadium on ESPN with #2 or #3 Boise State/TCU vs. #20 South Carolina… Imagine the draw you get for this game… It gives Boise State/TCU more exposure and if they win, hey… they may actually be legit and their schedule will have some strength to it and South Carolina plays a super quality opponent out of conference…. If South Carolina wins, they show they can beat a BCS top 5 again and can build momentum, quality momentum to start the SEC stretch. Please… Please… Make this happen.