South Carolina Takes Series from Vols

It wasn't the sweep we were hoping for, but the Gamecocks did get a key series win over the Vols in Knoxville on the strength of a powerful outing today. The win clinched an SEC Tournament berth for us. The highlight of the weekend was Saturday's come-from-behind thriller. We're now at 32-19 overall, 14-13 in the SEC, and still 3rd in the East behind Florida and Georgia. With UGA coming to town this weekend, we have a chance to finish second with a series win. (The Dawgs continued to slide over the weekened with a series loss to Vandy, while the Gators lost their series to LSU in a battle of Top 10 teams.) I still think we have a slight chance at hosting a regional if we win the two mid-week games against USC-Upstate and sweep UGA.

Not too much else going on this weekend. Ryan Succop continues to get some attention as Mr. Irrelevant, and Mark Richt suspended two UGA players--TE Bruce Figgins and projected starting DE Justin Houston--for drugs. The loss of Houston, who was one of UGA primary pass rushers, will have a significant effect on them when they play us. Also, this Gator writer believes we'll beat 'Bama in Tuscaloosa. My reaction: cautious but optimistic.