Big MO.

by jimbomac1 on Nov 26, 2025 9:16 PM EST

When the Gamecocks take the field tomorrow night in Death Valley they will be playing for something much more important than a second consecutive victory over their heated cross-state rivals. This game is an important lead up to what could be one of the greatest seasons in the history of USC football and certainly the most memorable of the Spurrier era. It has been surprising to see references to the Gamecocks looking past this game to the SECCG. Even setting aside the intense rivalry, anyone diminishing the importance of the Clemson game ignores the universal psychology of sports where momentum and confidence mean everything at this stage of the season. The Florida game was a statement win for the Cocks. Another victory in a hostile environment against a Tiger team looking to salvage something positive from this season would be HUGE for the Cocks and allow them to put the letdown game against Kentucky further in their rear view mirror. Make no mistake, the Auburn team Carolina will tangle with in Atlanta is much better than the one we faced Week Four at Auburn. It will take a flawless performance to bring them down, fueled by the momentum and confidence the Cocks will generate in Clemson tomorrow night. SECCG is the big prize but for this team to leave an historic mark on USC football the road to greatness goes through Clemson. Go Cocks!!

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I agree on all accounts.

Anyone who thinks Carolina is capable of overlooking Clemson the way they overlooked us last year doesn’t know the psychology of the Carolina/Clemson rivalry. If we lose tomorrow, which is very possible, it will be because they plain outplayed us - not because we “overlooked” them.

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

by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 26, 2025 11:19 PM EST reply actions

Why is Auburn better now than they were earlier in the year?

Even though I saw the Auburn game against Alabama, I don’t have anything to compare it to since all I remember from the game against Carolina was Newton running all over us.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 27, 2025 2:05 AM EST reply actions

One Word - Character

When we played Auburn in Week Four they were a solid team that no one thought of as a BCS contender. Since then they have continued to go undefeated through the toughest conference in the country while every day having to contend with the scandal and constant media scrutiny surrounding their quarterback. Yesterday’s comeback in Tuscaloosa just further underscores the character of this Auburn team. What does all this mean for the Gamecocks? We will have to beat them straight up. They will not stumble.

by jimbomac1 on Nov 27, 2025 8:06 AM EST reply actions

Auburn may be improved...

but so are we.

by Gamecockrock on Nov 27, 2025 11:46 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, it's hard to believe back then a lot of us were calling for Shaw once every game.

I think Garcia has come a long way over the course of the season, and the secondary has gelled about as much as they’re going to. They still give up some big plays, but they’re doing better.

One clear advantage Auburn will have is Carolina can’t surprise teams with Lattimore any longer. Everyone knows Lattimore is the catalyst of the offense, and they will scheme to stop him, like Clemson did today. Garcia will need to hit on his passes for the offense to be successful. Of course, we know who the catalyst is for the Auburn offense too, though. It will be a race for which defense can impede the other team’s offense first, and if said defense can hold on for the entire game.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 28, 2025 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

With Newton, make him beat you with his arm

Completely agree. With Cam Newton, it’s pick your poison but the successful game plan must focus on bottling him up on the run and force him to try to beat you with his arm. In the first game he extended drives and wore the defense down with the run in the second half. Even on passing plays, you need to contain up the middle and potentially ‘spy" him with a linebacker. Alabama had the right idea in the first half Saturday but couldn’t sustain it.

The Cocks can put up points on Auburn’s defense. The Garcia run option is a good counter attack to a defense keying exclusively on Lattimore. That swing pass to Marcus in the flat is also a good option for getting him the ball in space.

by jimbomac1 on Nov 28, 2025 8:56 AM EST reply actions