Beware The Commodore

Losing to Vanderbilt … “It’s the Garnet Way.”

At least it has been lately.

After dominating the ‘Dores for a decade-and-a-half, the University of South Carolina has lost twice in a row to Vandy, meaning that nearly three-fourths of the current USC squad has (gasp) never beaten the doormat of the Southeastern Conference.

This year should be different.  Vandy is 2-5 with an 0-4 mark in the SEC – arguably the worst team in the league.  In fairness, the Commodores have a decent defense (or at least they did until Georgia put up 400 yards and four touchdowns against them last week) but their offense is positively atrocious, failing to score more than 13 points in any of their five losses.

No wonder the Gamecocks (5-2, 2-2 SEC) are two touchdown favorites at home … in yet another game for which (surprise) plenty of tickets are still available.

Anyway, USC was stunned by Vanderbilt two seasons ago before a packed house, a 17-6 loss that cost USC a Top Ten ranking and commenced a five-game losing streak that sent the Gamecocks spiraling from SEC Championship contention to a 6-6 finish – with no bowl game.

Gamecock players then proceeded to disrespect the Commodores, calling the win a “fluke.”

Well, last year in Nashville Vandy proved it was no fluke, dispatching the Gamecocks for a second consecutive time with a 24-17 victory.

“We’re not a blowoff team,” Vanderbilt running back Jared Hawkins said after the game. “We’re going to hit you in the mouth.”

They did, sending South Carolina on its way to another season of mediocrity.

This year’s game comes at a pivotal point in the season for USC.

As we pointed out in a recent column, South Carolina is 6-12 (now 6-13) over the last three seasons in games played after October 15.

Choking chickens, right?

Anyway, several defenders of  “Old Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier didn’t appreciate our use of that statistic, arguing that choking at the end of the season is nothing new for the (Shame) Lamecocks.

Well, they’re right.  Since joining the SEC in 1992, South Carolina is 34-56 in games played after October 15.

This year, USC has Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and Clemson remaining on its schedule, all games it could conceivably win (even Florida, as Arkansas proved a week ago).

Of course, all five contests are games that USC could conceivably lose, too.

So what’s your prediction?

Will South Carolina finish strong or once again limp to the finish line?  Vote in our poll below …

Comments