Gamecocks, Tigers Both Underdogs Against Open Date

Both South Carolina and Clempsun’s football teams are seven-point underdogs this weekend against an open date on their schedules, which may be the first time in history that a totally nonexistent opponent has been favored to beat two real teams in a pair of totally nonexistent NCAA games.

Obviously, we’re kidding … but the Gamecocks (5-3, 2-3 SEC) and the Farmers (3-4, 1-3 Anybody Can Compete) are playing like a couple power puff teams this year, with Clempsun falling from a preseason Top 10 ranking to what can only be described as oblivion, and Carolina putting forth the same mediocre product it always has – except with a much crappier offense.

Clempsun is on its second coach already this year, with the stunning fall of Tommy Bowden serving to drown out the “hot seat” designation that USC head coach Steve Spurrier has somehow managed to elude.

Anyway, after this week’s open date, Clempsun rounds out the year with road games against Boston College, Florida State and Virginia and home games against Duke and South Carolina.

The Gamecocks have home games against Tennessee and Arkansas before wrapping up their year on the road against Florida and Clempsun.

At this point, we’re projecting Clempsun to finish 5-7, and Carolina to finish 7-5 – not counting the ass-whooping that “open date” is going to put on both of them this weekend, obviously.

Could it get worse for both teams?

Sure … but somebody’s gotta come out on top when the two rivals square off Nov. 29 in Death Valley.