South Carolina Gamecocks

11-1 (7-1)

Week 1: September 3rd vs. East Carolina - This game will be played in Charlotte and could be a pretty interesting matchup between two schools from bordering states. In 2008 East Carolina was able to knock of VA Tech and West Virginia in the first two weeks so USC will definitely need to go into the game knowing they could have a dogfight on their hands. But there is no doubt South Carolina has more talent as they will contend for the SEC Championship this year, and they should win this game fairly handily. Hopefully for their sake, they can come away healthy for a big week 2 game at Georgia.

Week 2: September 10th at Georgia - A lot of people are comparing Isiah Crowell to Marcus Lattimore, at least hoping his has the same impact, but I don't know if he can be that good. Lattimore made a name for himself in this game last year, and he was able to do so by running the ball all game long, I'm not sure Crowell can handle that kind of load, and with Ealey and King gone he will need to for UGA to be successful in this game. Even though this game is in Athens, South Carolina's defense will be ready to play, and the D-line should swarm the Dawgs young backfield. If the Georgia O-line can hold them off for Murrey to make some throws then the game could come down to the wire as it usually does. But I see Carolina winning by a couple touchdowns.

Week 3: September 17th vs. Navy - Navy has 10 returning starters with 7 on offense. This could definitely be a tough game for South Carolina especially if they have a hangover from the Georgia game. But with USC's D-line and speed on defense I think they will be able to neutralize Navy's option attack to a certain extent and win the game at home.

Week 4: Sept. 24th vs. Vanderbilt - South Carolina always struggles to win the games they are supposed to when they are riding high, we'll see what happens here. The Cocks will be coming off a home gave vs. Navy, which could be interesting but not the grueling SEC fight Vandy might need to pull off an upset. South Carolina has more talent then Vanderbilt in every single unit, and being at home, I've got to go with The Gamecocks.

Week 5: October 1st vs. Auburn - The Gamecocks should be riding high and welcome the defending national champions into town. Auburn will struggle to cover Alshon Jeffrey and I'm not sure they have the front 7 to contend with Marcus Lattimore and put pressure on Stephen Garcia. I think South Carolina matches up really well against Auburn and they will win this game.

Week 6: October 8th vs. Kentucky - The schedule-makers must have graduated from South Carolina because they gave them probably the most manageable 1st half of any team in the SEC. Kentucky will struggle in this game, it's in Columbia and USC's D is going to be too much for an inexperienced offense to handle on the road. This will be the third very difficult matchup for UK and they will most likely be running ragged...not a good recipe for success against a good team.

Week 7: October 15th at Mississippi State - By the time South Carolina reached the mid-way point of the season, there is a very real chance they could be in the Top 5, maybe even the top 3 in the country. By my calculations, this will be their toughest test so far and it's on the road. Both of these teams have an off week the next week so there will be no holding back. Carolina has a bunch of star players like Lattimore, Jeffrey, Clowney, and Gilmore, who if all healthy should be able to beat teams like MSU on shear talent. But this is why they play the games, and with MSU's deep WR core I think they have the opportunity to expose a less than stellar USC secondary. If MSU's O-line can contain USC's powerful D-line I think Chris Relf will be able to move the ball through the air and keep up with the Gamecock's offense. This is South Carolina's 4th SEC game in a row, whereas State will have only played 1 SEC game in the previous 3 weeks. With the game in Starkville, I think State is able to pull off the upset behind the arm of Chris Relf or Tyler Russell.

Week 8: Bye - The Gamecocks week off here really separates the first seven games which they have a pretty good chance of navigating unscathed, and then the stretch run which will feature some pretty tough games.

Week 9: October 29th at Tennessee - South Carolina has lost 14 of the 15 games they have played in Knoxville, but the tides have turned. I think this has the chance to be a good game, but that could be contingent upon UT coming out of the UGA, LSU, and Bama games in back-to-back-to-back weekends without too many injuries. But that is a tough stretch to go through and then have to face Marcus Lattimore running right at you on fresh legs. Carolina wins.

Week 10: November 5th at Arkansas - South Carolina makes one of the longest journeys within the SEC to Fayetteville, AR for what should be a very good game. By this point in the season I expect Tyler Wilson to be a solid quarterback, and Stephen Garcia as well. Both star running backs are young and very talented. Even though Arkansas' got the edge at WR, I rank USC #2, and both teams have some question marks at O-line. I think Arkansas' got a pretty good defense and South Carolina will score on them but not a lot. The difference here is South Carolina's very talented defensive line vs. Arkansas' offensive line. Clowney should be coming into his own by this game and the Gamecocks will be hungry to make a statement and keep their hat in the ring for the BCS title game. USC wins a very tight, and good football game.

Week 11: November 12th vs. Florida - The SEC East title came down to this game in 2010 and I have a feeling the same thing will happen in 2011. Last year's game wasn't even close with USC blowing UF out in the swamp 36-14. This time, not only is the East on the line, but South Carolina could and should have national championship hopes on the line. This should be a defensive game, with both D-lines having the upper hand on the opposing O-line. The difference could be special teams where Florida might have an edge with it's skilled athletes. But South Carolina has the experience and they are at home. I think an inspired Carolina team plays up to par and wins this game.

Week 12: November 19th vs. The Citadel - If I have accurately predicted USC's season then they will be 9-1 heading into this game, have the SEC East championship in their back pocket, and they will be using this game as a spring board into the Clemson and SEC Championship Game. They will probably be in the Top 5 or 6 teams in the country and there will be plenty of excitement in Columbia.

Week 13: November 26th vs. Clemson - Clemson will be highly motivated to beat South Carolina and spoil what could be national championship hopes for the Gamecocks. But even this game sets up well for USC as they play at home. South Carolina is the better team here, and even though I've got Clemson down for one victory over an SEC team, I don't think they will be able to win this one. USC goes to 11-1, for an all-time year.


JB