How are you feeling about this game?

I agree with the o-line, a lot of youth.

Shon Carson has made improvements each year. I think he will be solid this year, but he is still 3rd behind Wilds and Williams.

The d-line....I hope they're a lot better than last year.

Man, I really don't know what to expect either. We never look sharp in openers, but I don't think UNC will move the ball at will against our improved defense so I'm expecting a somewhat low-scoring game. O/U for the game is 64 last I checked, I'm taking the under in this one.

If our D-line is as good as I think it will be and our secondary plays tight coverage, I think we get a turnover or two early and give our offense a big boost with great field advantage. We don't have to be too flashy to beat the tarholes, we just have to rely on our strengths (i.e., run game, Pharaoh). I'll say we win 31-20.

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TiptonInSC

I agree with the o-line, a lot of youth.

Shon Carson has made improvements each year. I think he will be solid this year, but he is still 3rd behind Wilds and Williams.

The d-line....I hope they're a lot better than last year.

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The OLine, it's not just about the youth ... I've never thought Sport was a D1 OLineman. I'm worried about Knott at Center too.

Shon Carson is a good back - I hear the main worry about him is durability. They list the depth chart, at all positions, according to planned number of snaps. In this case, number of carries.

The Dline is big. Well, the DTs are. The DEs are bigger. There is a lot of talent there and they were running them to death the morning I watched them. There is going to be an issue with UNC because I do not believe our offense was as quick between plays as UNC's will be. Not that morning anyways.

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DorchesterGamecock

Probably another reason why Spurrier moved Ulric Jones over to that side of the ball..

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Did he? Now I'm very worried. That worries the crap outta me.

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CockHolliday

Man, I really don't know what to expect either. We never look sharp in openers, but I don't think UNC will move the ball at will against our improved defense so I'm expecting a somewhat low-scoring game. O/U for the game is 64 last I checked, I'm taking the under in this one.

If our D-line is as good as I think it will be and our secondary plays tight coverage, I think we get a turnover or two early and give our offense a big boost with great field advantage. We don't have to be too flashy to beat the tarholes, we just have to rely on our strengths (i.e., run game, Pharaoh). I'll say we win 31-20.

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That o/u leaves plenty of room for scoring. Something like 37-28 or 34-30 would still be a lot of offense. Everyone is taking the over evidently ... but to me, that's a sure sign to take the under.

I saw one thing, something Hoke does that I really like and I think he's going to do a lot of it with our Spurs and Corners ... which is going to make it tougher on UNC. I hope so.

Our special teams should be better than theirs - I hope so. UNC has made some changes in that regard. Special teams might be the difference in this game.

We've got the kickers and we are deep there, punters too. Return men as well although I hope Carson picks his holes a little better ... they worked with him a lot. I honestly feel like if UNC puts the ball in the endzone will just take a knew and take the ball on the 25 as often as possible.

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CockInYourEar

I'm expecting around a 38-27 game (SC wins.) We're going to run the ball. We'll be putting Zac Bailey in as a TE to give us an extra blocker. We'll be running a lot of Double TE sets, and we're going to go Road Grade on their asses. I think we'll hit around 250 yards of rushing. We'll pick up at least 1 long TD pass of 40 yards or more when unc stacks the box.

Nunez is going to get in there too when we run that Double TE set. It will be critical that the WR's block well to help give him an outside running lane.

On defense, I have no idea, I hope we will be better, but wait and see. I think we'll be better, but last year was so awful defensively I'd rather see it first.

We're doing a good job with putting out misinformation...Adams is doubtful, Walton is hurt, etc....We're keeping those guys guessing, just like they tried to do us with their OL.


Their defense sucked last year, our defense sucked last year, both teams got new DC's. However, one of the biggest factors that isn't being talked about is SC did a MUCH better job on bringing in talent to immediately address the situation and unc did not. SC brought in the 2 BEST JUCO DL and got an All Big 12 Safety transfer. Those 3 guys are now starting on our depth chart and immediately address the two weakest areas of last year's team; pass rush and pass defense.

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If we can run the ball on them ... I agree, we'll win. I saw them running very few two tight-end sets though. Adams was still healthy then and, if anything, I saw him split a few times.

Nunez was shifted around all over the place - wild cock mode. But so was Pharaoh. Our offense is going to be interesting. But do not underestimate Mitch's running ability. He is a much more adept runner than Dylan was and from what I saw he even moves in the pocket a little better. Seriously, Mitch has all the tools - how he handles the pressure is going to be the real question that will be answered Thursday.

We'll be better on D ... much better. Still, UNC is going to score points. Their offense is very good. I like Hoke's plan though ... he's going to be aggressive. He believes he has the right players in the right positions and we've got a little depth on the D side of the ball.

Watch to see how our LBs handle the short stuff over the middle and the first thing I am going to look for is if we immediately start-out in man-up or zone. I have a feeling we're going to give man a try right out of the chute given Hoke feels Washington is a ball hawk in centerfield and he's got a couple of free safeties who can be used to do something else from time to time. He seemed to be having a lot of fun with the secondary and in doing so I think he is very confident with our LBs and DLine.

I agree, we probably filled needs better than they did but, then again, their problem was youth last year. I think ours was talent to some degree after having a few guys fail to qualify.

Both defenses are going to be greatly improved and they know, coming-in, that our first mission is to try to run the ball down their throats.

Now I'm back to being worried about our OLine. New QB and all, I sure hope our OLine is up to the task.

Wish it was home, games you worry about can get that local fan push that tilt the scale. Terrible TV slot and could be a flat crowd with limited energy.

#MudHoleTheTarHoles

after reading everyone's thoughts - I actually feel a little better about tomorrow. conditioning and physical play will be paramount for USC in the game.

the thing I keep going back to is how Carolina usually plays in its openers. Gamecocks have opened 4 times away from W-B under Spurrier.

2006 - Starkville - USC 15 MSU 0
2008 - Raleigh - USC 7 NCSU 3
2011 - Charlotte - USC 56 ECU 37
2012 - Nashville - USC 17 Vanderbilt 13

Gamecocks have found ways to win in each of those 4 games. never pretty, but made the crucial plays at the necessary time in order to get a victory.

I wouldn't be surprised if NC scored first and led at the half. I think the Gamecock defense will give up yards, but hold NC to RZ field goals while avoiding the big play.

I think USC will again do what it needs, in ugly fashion, and find a way to win another opener. it's gonna feel like the game in Raleigh a couple seasons ago - just add 20 points to both sides of that final score.

I've honestly got no idea how tonight will go.