Let Us Go With Confidence Into Lexington!

by Gamecock'n'Balls on Oct 12, 2025 5:44 PM EDT

Just a small pep talk of sorts for my fellow fans who might be thinking, "Gah...we could lose to Kentucky and it'll all be for naught."

First of all: Isn't it funny that, despite the ups and downs of our program, we haven't lost to Kentucky at least once over the past decade? Hell, we've lost to Vandy twice in that stretch. And Kentucky has even fielded decent squads a few years. Really is hard to believe they didn't take at least one of those games, considering we had some years that were shaky at best.

That said, we should feel confident that this streak continues. I'm not trying to screw with karma here...we all know anything can happen. And I understand the overarching feeling of "Oh man, I hope we don't screw it up this weekend!" Coach Spurrier emphasized in his presser today that a loss this weekend is a reality. Despite the magnitude of the Bama win, it's still just one lonely tick in the win column. In a fantasy world, we'd win every remaining game by default for beating the #1. Here in real life, we don't even get ranked ahead of that team.

But I think we need to remember that we're the favorite in this game for a reason. Our #10 ranking is earned--it was not the result of picking on cupcakes while the big boys tumble, which, despite some nice wins, had a little something to do with our elevated ranking in 2007. This year, we trounced the #1 team in the nation; we took another top ten team to the final drive; and we shut down a Georgia team that, while obviously in disarray, is still playing with top-tier talent.

We've played good football, and we deserve the confidence that good football stirs up. We shouldn't get proud or cocky; but we can't let our nervousness trump our excitement. It's not fair to ourselves as fans. Our boys have given us every reason to believe that they're capable of success. For the first time in a while, my mindset going into a weekend is "Can't wait to see what we do on Saturday!" as opposed to "OH GOD OH GOD DONT SCREW UP!"

Now in full disclosure, that thought has crept into my mind once or twice. But it's probably on the mind of every fan of a winning sports team going into a game. The point is this: We don't have to spend the whole week yanking our hair out, chomping our nails to the nub, and placing bets on how we'll blow it this week.

Who knows, we might lose, and that will suck. But for now, I think we all owe it to ourselves to believe that we probably won't.

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Those are my sentiments as well.

by Skulls and Spurs on Oct 12, 2025 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

This definitely raises my confidence.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Oct 12, 2025 7:53 PM EDT reply actions

If you are being sarcastic, I understand

Sarcasm is a vital trait of the Gamecocks fan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends." - Tom Waits

by Gamecock'n'Balls on Oct 12, 2025 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah, it actually does.

I think you’re right that this team is much different than the ‘07 team. In ’07 when we played LSU, we got slammed. This time when we played an elite team, we did the slamming. There’s a major difference there, and if we’re really as good as we’ve appeared to be lately, we should be OK in this game.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Oct 12, 2025 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Not to be a wet blanket

but the 07 team slammed then elite team no. 8 Kentucky …. on a nationally televised ESPN game. That was the game where many ’Cat fans swarmed into W-B wearing shirts declaring “believe the hype.”

“Our guys are starting to believe the ball can keep bouncing our way,” Spurrier said after the game. We all remember what happened the next week against the ’Dores. October is usually a cruel month for us.

I know, I know. Beating this Bama team is on a different level than that the 07 Wildcats; but the football gods can be spiteful.

by tryptic67 on Oct 12, 2025 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Kentucky ended up unranked that year...

Although I do remember that they beat LSU, of course. I guess hindsight is 20 / 20 and we won’t really know how all the dominoes will fall until the end of the season, but I didn’t see us as being a legitimate 10-win at the time in 2007. I never though that we’d lose out the way we did, but I think a lot of people saw some losses coming for us that year. We got totally exposed by LSU and struggled in some of the other games, too. This team just seems to be a bit better, although I’ll grant that there are still concerns.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Oct 12, 2025 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Im unconvinced

I understand you mean well, but I can still remember the years UK used to beat us like a kettle drum in football … at our place and theirs … when we were fielding teams just as strong compratively as those during the current streak. Some of those games early in this streak were awesome in their “I-can’t-believe-we-won” especially when Jared Lorenzen was under center for the ’Cats. So forgive me if I cringe when you invoke karma :~)

So, pep talk notwithstanding, I will be drinking a nexium and bourbon (Makers of course) cocktail until the final whistle. Heck, the fact we’re talking about a streak at all scares me … I didnt even realize we’d hung 9 straight on them until last year.

I will try not to think about this post the same way as when my wife (a USC alum) said during the 2002 Outback Bowl that there was “no way Ohio State can come back now.” The same words were about the slip from her lips just this last Sunday when I risked all to tell her she had to stay quiet or leave the room … thank God we won ….

Lets give fate a chance, but leave karma the h*** out of it! :~)

by tryptic67 on Oct 12, 2025 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

errr i meant 'Saturday' ...

those two days are a still a haze. Heh. Go Cocks. Beat Kentucky!

by tryptic67 on Oct 12, 2025 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah, I understand your doubt completely

I guess my point was that we should be free to feel OK about the team this week; general optimism is a different story. I’m not a sports optimist — it hurts too bad. I can’t tell you aren’t either — we both make people leave the room, or shut their mouth, and other sort of irrational superstitions.

Just last week, my friend’s wife — not a huge football fan — was with us. After Marcus’s last TD, when we were up 14 with about 2 minutes to play, she said, “So the Gamecocks are gonna win, right?” We didn’t hesitate to jump on her for it… “YOU NEVER KNOW! All it takes is a quick TD, and an onside kick!”

As soon as we won, I said to her, “Thank you for being a voice of reason among all us insane, irrational morons.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends." - Tom Waits

by Gamecock'n'Balls on Oct 12, 2025 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

It's crazy isnt it

i have boxes of USC shirts and hats i wont wear anymore … not just because they’re not UnderArmour [horrible Starter and Russell stuff … blech … umpteen shades of “garnet” that run the gamut from UGA red to Bama crimson to Miss State maroon] but because they are irretreivably unlucky.

I have a friend who blames himself for the Navy loss in ’84 …. didnt wear the right piece of clothing. For Bama, I wore the same shirt I was wearing the final game of the 2010 CWS; didnt even break that bad boy out for UGA (that was only worthy of the shirt I wore when we beat CU … and, yes, i wash ’em in between! lol).

Your courtly and genteel apology is the mark of a Southern gentleman and reflecteth well upon the Gamecock Nation. But the lady must not be from the Southland, because her Diddy shoulda learned her that “it aint never over til the fat lady sings”

by tryptic67 on Oct 12, 2025 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

You...

…are crazy like a fox, sir. And I salute you.

I was wearing the same pair of underwear (washed after each event) for the CWS final game and the first four football games even though they had a silver dollar sized hole in them. I threw them away after Auburn, much to the delight of my girlfriend.

Did I just share too much?

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Oct 12, 2025 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Im laughing so hard Im going to have an infarction

love the rhetorical question at the end of your post. Someone please consult GM about whether personal garment posts are now off-limits.

God bless our womenfolk for putting up with us, and God bless you, Sir, for having the courage to drop those drawers in the trash, as I would not have hazarded them on regular season football game, but have have had them sent out for drycleaning and thereafter secure, long-term storage in a safe, undisclosed location for wear only during any possible SEC championship game or BCS bowl game (or Final Four appearance).

Your foresight, however, has spared us certain crushing defeat, however, since it appears that they were not lucky underpants at all! Obviously, a silver dollar sized hole is no reason to cast off an otherwise seviceable pair of under-britches …. no matter what she says … :~)

by tryptic67 on Oct 12, 2025 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL.

Garments are totally within the purview of the new community standards.

I don’t have any lucky clothes myself. I do have a lucky sports bar that I go to up here in Rochester, though. The first time I watched a game there was when we beat UGA. We have lost a couple I’ve watched there, but it’s also where I watched the CWS games, so it’s obviously got something going for it. Watched Georgia there this year—more success.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Oct 12, 2025 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Now that the 'Cuse are showing signs of life

you’re watering hole might be a little more crowded on saturdays. The leaves must be spectacular now; stay warm this winter (unless you’re from there, and then you dont need advice on that!). It’s still hot in the Palmetto State.

Here’s a tidbit from Kornblut’s blog certain to bring autumn smiles in upstate NY:

October 12, 2025

USC moves into lead for Townsend
By Eric Guimaraes

LB Lateek Townsend (6-3 207) of Marlboro County says USC is his leader. “I was at the Alabama game,” he said. “That pretty much showed me they have everything to compete for a national championship and SEC championships every year.” Townsend also says USC is “pretty much the only school I’m looking at right now”. He may cancel his official visit to Southern Cal which is scheduled for October 30th because he does not want to miss a football game. He says he plans to take official visits to USC and Clemson though he is very familiar with ech school. “I know all I need to know so I’m wouldn’t take those visits to learn more about the programs,” he said. Townsend says he plans to announce at the Army All-America game.

GO COCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by tryptic67 on Oct 12, 2025 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh and, yes, he's a four star

OLB 11 * * * * Lateek Townsend (Marlboro County HS) Bennettsville, SC 6-2/207/4.60
Clemson, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, USC, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami (Fl), Michigan State, North Carolina, Tennessee

by tryptic67 on Oct 13, 2025 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

That's great news. Kind of makes up for Dukes rescinding his claim that we're his favorite.

I’m not sure about Dukes. He’s at Manning and the coach there is a huge Clemson guy. Always tries to push his players towards Clemson and, if that doesn’t work, away from USC. (See John Fulton.) Hope we get him, though. Townshend sounds like a lock the way he’s talking.

I’m not from Rochester. Grew up in Alabama and spent time in Columbia for school. Moved up here for my PhD program. It’s still not cold up here yet, but we’ve had a couple of coldish days.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Oct 13, 2025 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha!

But the lady must not be from the Southland, because her Diddy shoulda learned her that "it aint never over til the fat lady sings"

Worse. She was raised a Tennessee fan (in her defense, she was raised in Tennessee.) Thankfully, she’s all but converted by now. Her husband’s done a fine job on the conversion.

and, yes, i wash ’em in between! lol).

I actually wondered about that…haha. But your row neighbors thank you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends." - Tom Waits

by Gamecock'n'Balls on Oct 13, 2025 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Heh

I had typed joke after “the fat lady sings” … I’m glad her conversion is holding, but if you ever hear her humming “Once two strangers came to Rocky Top, lookin’ for a moonshine still …” be afraid. Be very afraid! (lol)

by tryptic67 on Oct 13, 2025 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I definately have a little fear in the back of mind as well, especially because the streak exists. I am also a little weary about our record when it comes to road games but, I truly believe that this team is a little more mature than those of the past and maybe Spurrier is finally realizing to use his weapons. Ace saw a few more touches and Lattimore had plenty of touches. Johnson figured out that we need to stuff the box against running teams, like we should have at Auburn, and put faith in our secondary. This team is mature enough to realize that they can’t underestimate any team, especially those of the SEC. I believe the gamecock nation has plenty to be confident about but, they also have to be aware that they have to prepare for every team as if they were the #1 team in the country. I really believe our players understand this and they did not like the feeling they got after the Auburn game. I think we’ll show up with our A game and Carolina will put a hurtin’ on Kentucky. I can’t wait for kick off. GO COCKS!

by Carolina Cock-n-Fire on Oct 12, 2025 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

I should also add

For the second time in the past three games, I’m having to go to some event that’s preventing me from watching. For Auburn, it was an ill-planned dinner party by one of my girlfriend’s best friends. This Saturday night, another one of her best friends is getting married. How dare someone schedule a wedding on game night!

Thank Jebus for ESPN Scorecenter for the iPhone.

/Still not the same.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends." - Tom Waits

by Gamecock'n'Balls on Oct 13, 2025 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

I've been in the doghouse multiple times for these event distractions.

- Went to USC vs. MTSU a few years ago when one of my wife’s friends I’d never met got married. (Prob should have just gone to the wedding. It was MTSU.)
- Went to USC at UGA in 2007 when someone I else I didn’t know got married. (This one was well worth it)
- Brought in a computer to a wedding reception so we could get updates on a game. The groom’s dad was pleased as well as a host of other Gamecocks. Not my wife, however. (This was a bad call on my part)

I can go on, but most of these memories aren’t good. It’s best to just go under most circumstances. I still get pissed when people get married in the fall in the south, though. If I’m not there, they know why. I missed my 10 year high school reunion this past weekend to be at Alabama. IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!

by Skulls and Spurs on Oct 13, 2025 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Im impressed with your resourcefulness

and courage to set up the computer. It’s not like you brought a tube. Heh.

No matter how much they complain, I think the womenfolk secretly like that we’re so predicable. grins

by tryptic67 on Oct 13, 2025 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If you were impressed before . . .

you should know it was a sit down, place card dinner on Daufuskie Island. NOTHING gets in the way of me and our Gamecocks! My wife can blame my parents. I literally started going to Williams-Brice prior to my first birthday.

by Skulls and Spurs on Oct 13, 2025 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Its time to run the Table.

For years I have watched this Team swim in the pool of mediocrity. Every year hope springs eternal as we swallow the promise," This is our year"! Only to be slapped in the face by the gaunlet that is the SEC schedule. But now it is are time to be in the national spotlight. Looking forward there is no reason not to run the table into Atlanta. We have the talent on the field. It falls on the The Olde Ball Coach to earn that paycheck now and teach the team how to play being the hunted not the hunter. For me, its not a matter of us being beat rather its a matter of us beating are selves. “This is are Year!”

by cobd10 on Oct 14, 2025 4:35 AM EDT reply actions