Sports

#FITSPick: South Carolina 38 Texas A&M 22

GAMECOCKS SHOULD RUN AWAY FROM AGGIES … Even if returning 1,000-yard running back Mike Davis had been unable to play in Thursday night’s Southeastern Conference season opener against No. 20/21 Texas A&M, we would be picking his ninth-ranked University of South Carolina squad to “run” away with this one. With Davis…

GAMECOCKS SHOULD RUN AWAY FROM AGGIES …

Even if returning 1,000-yard running back Mike Davis had been unable to play in Thursday night’s Southeastern Conference season opener against No. 20/21 Texas A&M, we would be picking his ninth-ranked University of South Carolina squad to “run” away with this one.

With Davis now projected to start … we see no reason the Gamecocks (0-0, 0-0 SEC) don’t take the first step in their quest for an SEC championship and a spot in the inaugural 2014 college football playoff.

Davis – a 5-foot-9, 223-pound wrecking ball – rushed 203 times for 1,183 yards last season, and the junior from Atlanta, Georgia is just one of head coach Steve Spurrier’s ground weapons.  Redshirt juniors Brandon Wilds (from Blythewood, S.C.) and Shon Carson (from Lake City, S.C.) are more than capable of picking up huge chunks of yardage against the Aggies’ defense – which surrendered 5.4 yards per rush and 222.3 rushing yards per game a year ago.

There’s no reason to believe Davis, Wilds and Carson will have any trouble finding holes, either, as South Carolina returns four starters on its offensive line – giving Spurrier strength and experience up front where it matters most.  Those linemen average 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, too, giving the Gamecocks a decisive size advantage in the trenches.

In other words it could be a tough debut for heralded true freshman Zaycoven Henderson – the Aggies’ much-ballyhooed nose tackle.

A solid ground game should open things up for starting quarterback Dylan Thompson – who has performed admirably in extended relief of departed starter Connor Shaw over the last two seasons.  Spurrier says Thompson is poised for a “big year” – with Damiere Byrd and Shaq Roland likely to be among his top targets.

On offense, Texas A&M lost its three best players – offensive tackle Jake Matthews, wide receiver Mike Evans and quarterback Johnny Manziel – to the first round of the NFL draft.  That’s the bad news for head coach Kevin Sumlin.  The good news? South Carolina lost its best defensive player in Jadeveon Clowney – who was the first player selected in the draft.

RELATED: COLLEGE FOOTBALL FASHION PREVIEW

Sumlin will start sophomore Kenny Hill at quarterback, although Aggie fans are hoping to get a peek at highly touted freshman Kyle Allen – who is currently listed at No. 2 on the A&M depth chart.  Both signal-callers will look to exploit a size advantage at the wide receiver position – assuming A&M running back Tra Carson is able to get anything going against Lorenzo Ward’s defensive unit.

Ward predicted this week that his unit would “play well” against the Aggies’ up-tempo offense.

“We just got to get lined up in a hurry because they’re going to go fast, and execute our assignments,” he said.

Odds makers have installed the Gamecocks as a 10.5-point favorite at home.  We think the spread’s going to be bigger than that, hence our inaugural 2014 #FITSPick: South Carolina 38 Texas A&M 22.

This is the first-ever meeting between these two programs – and the first game ever broadcast on the new SEC Network.  Kickoff from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EDT.

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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43 comments

They teach classes too? August 27, 2014 at 3:45 pm

Funny how a state with such a low percentage of college graduates loves college football so much.

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Squishy123 August 27, 2014 at 5:25 pm

Hell these same drunk idiots will shoot each other over football.

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Norma Scok August 27, 2014 at 5:58 pm

And not even know how to find the university on a map

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Squishy is my Bitch August 27, 2014 at 6:53 pm

At least they aren’t talking to themselves online. What is that Squishy 3 different names on the same post? Loser. I guess your mom would be so proud even if they are made up friends

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Squishy123 August 27, 2014 at 7:25 pm

I’ll just say this, and I’m sure you hear it on a daily basis, “What the fuck are you talking about?”.

Squishy is my bitch August 27, 2014 at 7:57 pm

You wish, you are just my bitch. I miss your mom sometimes but the my dog farts and it reminds me of that whore.

Squishy123 August 28, 2014 at 1:59 pm

I bet you were one of those classy dirtpecker fans that the Aggie fans were talking about in the paper today.

Squishy is my bitch August 28, 2014 at 3:12 pm

Your mom knew how classy I was bitch boy. We used to laugh at how pathetic you are before I would give it to her hard and good

Squishy123 August 28, 2014 at 5:17 pm

Hey if necrophilia is your things, go for it… probably the only pussy you’ve ever had.

Squishy is my bitch August 28, 2014 at 5:47 pm

Wow what a come back bitch. After your mom most were not as good, but you keep looking for that great piece of ass like mama squishy. Damn you are all worked up huh? Weren’t going to ever reply to me but you can’t stop can you. I own you!

Squishy123 August 28, 2014 at 9:47 pm

So did you watch the game? Since when did Dirtpecker players become comedians? I laughed damn near the entire game.

Squishy is my bitch August 28, 2014 at 10:23 pm

good you had something to actually laugh about. the game did not bother me at all. its a 12 game season and that was just one. unlike your mom, not everyone can get em all. I see you replied again., being owned must suck (like your mom used to before she couldn’t anymore) laugh at that my little bitch

Beartrkkr August 27, 2014 at 6:58 pm

But they will know what herbicides will kill mature oak trees dead as a hammer.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein August 27, 2014 at 6:24 pm

Alabama don’ think you funny.

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Frank Howard August 27, 2014 at 8:09 pm

Watch yo’ mout, boy!

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Will Folks aka Sic August 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm

HA! Purty good.

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Mike at the Beach August 27, 2014 at 7:36 pm

SC only falls about 3 percentage points below the national average in all college graduates, and ranks 39th in bachelors degree attainment (about 4 points below the nat’l average- not great, but in the hump of the bell curve). For a relatively poor, agricultural, and rural southern state, things could be much worse. They love college ball in California, too, and they’re 14th in the nation (2 points above the US average). Don’t be hatin’… ;-)

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They teach classes too? August 27, 2014 at 7:42 pm

“Things could be much worse!” ~rally cry of the Republic of South Carolina

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Mike at the Beach August 27, 2014 at 7:57 pm

True enough, but when you’re 49th or 50th on a few lists, 36th and 39th on a fairly important list looks OK…

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They teach classes too? August 28, 2014 at 9:05 am

“Fairly important list”? Fuck, it’s worse than I thought there. So sad.

Squishy123 August 28, 2014 at 4:10 pm

Pastides must be thinking, “Thank God for out of state students!”

Mike at the Beach August 28, 2014 at 4:47 pm

The census doesn’t count out of state students’ educational attainment…only full-time residents.

Squishy123 August 28, 2014 at 5:16 pm

Well I guess that may make sense once you get rid of the high school dropouts who are going to drag scores down while they’re in school.

Mike at the Beach August 28, 2014 at 5:36 pm

I’m obviously not communicating this properly (not the first time for that to be sure). The educational attainment rate is the simple percentage of full-time state residents 25 years of age or older who achieve x-level of education. For example, our bachelor’s degree attainment rate as of 2011 is 24.3%, which ranks us 37th in the nation (and means that 24.3% of our residents age 25 and over have earned a bachelors degree). Curiously, our advanced degree rate is 8.4%, which ranks us a little higher at 34th in the US. Anyone who drops out prior to age 25 hurts the percentage…

Catholic Breast-fed Tater Fan August 27, 2014 at 3:47 pm

Who cares what you think FITS, what does Liz Gunn think?

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Will Folks aka Sic August 27, 2014 at 6:59 pm

ok that is +3 for your screen name. Liz … what u think?

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Liz August 27, 2014 at 9:24 pm

that screen name is quite clever – I can’t tell if I have a fan or a adversary.

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CBFTF August 28, 2014 at 1:25 pm

Depends on the article but it’s good to see you guys having some fun. Go Cocks!

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Liz August 27, 2014 at 9:17 pm

I think the Gamecocks cover the spread. At Williams-Brice, Thursday night, season opener, all garnet unis…I’m feeling good about it. I wish Mike Davis was 100%, because I’ve waited almost 9 months to watch him ball out!

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TontoBubbaGoldstein August 27, 2014 at 6:27 pm

!!!!!!!!UPSET SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!

Texas A&M 35
Sakerlina 34

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shifty henry August 28, 2014 at 11:45 am

I’m curious about what bet Nikki and Rick have ‘laid’ down for their cozy bet on this game….

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Scooter August 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm

Fits is picking Ravanel to beat Graham and Sheheen to beat Haley.

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SC Political Digest August 28, 2014 at 9:48 am

FITS’ track record: That’s what scares me. He predicted SC Baseball would “VACATE” CWS wins, after he “DEF-ACATED on Ray Tanner, Scott Wingo and the team. I wish he’d leave SC football alone.

FITS got Obama, right, and that was the WORST thing of all.

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E Norma Scok August 28, 2014 at 1:21 pm

Somehow it always goes back to Obama, huh?

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Squishy123 August 28, 2014 at 4:12 pm

They could always talk about the women’s equestrian national championship.

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shifty henry August 28, 2014 at 11:05 am

The Magik Round Dice have been released from the vault. They have been fed, watered and let outside to see the sunshine. Now rested, they tell me —–

Gamecocks………… 35
Aggies…………………24

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Smirks August 28, 2014 at 11:15 am

Gonna be closer than that. I’ll wager 34-31 Carolina.

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Torch August 28, 2014 at 12:10 pm

And the trophy goes to…… the winning teams governor and not the team. Political bull shit.

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Always Bet Against Fits August 28, 2014 at 8:35 pm

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

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TontoBubbaGoldstein August 28, 2014 at 8:55 pm

8:52pm

…and there’s Garnet in the parking lot>

*Would have posted this earlier, but traffic(heh!) on I-26 was a MOFO!

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paladin August 28, 2014 at 9:19 pm

A&M just scored again!

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Squishy123 August 28, 2014 at 9:46 pm

Well… that should shut up the dirtpecker fans for a while.

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Manray August 28, 2014 at 9:47 pm

I believe what Texas A&M did to the Cocks is known as “opening a can?” Go Dawgs!!!

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