Why the Arkansas game matters

by RumblinFish on Nov 5, 2025 1:40 AM EDT

In talking to some of my fellow Gamecocks this week, I've noticed a bit of a disturbing trend. Fans have been hand-waving a possible loss to Arkansas as something that "doesn't matter," and while they're right that it doesn't have any direct implications on the East championship, it's still a win we need.

We can't get 10 wins in the regular season if we don't beat Arkansas. It's possible we can still get to 10 wins through a combination of the SEC championship and the following bowl game, but I think we can all agree it'd be much easier to just go ahead and take care of business at home. Besides, won't someone think of the 1984 season? It's so lonely.
We can't go undefeated at home if we don't beat Arkansas. We already jumped the toughest hurdle by beating 'Bama, so we need to capitalize on that signature win and turn it into a signature season, which is something we've failed to do in the past. Going undefeated in Willy-B is more realistic than ever.
We won't have any positive momentum going into the Swamp if we don't beat Arkansas. I'm sure I don't need to remind everyone that we don't have a single win in Gainesville. Zip. Nada. Zilch. A win over the Hogs won't guarantee a W at the Swamp, but it sure would be nice if we came in with our heads held high instead of reeling from a loss.
No matter what happens with the East, we won't get as much respect if we don't beat Arkansas. If we lose to Arky en route to clinching the East championship, it'll just be more ammunition for analysts, pundits, etc. to rip on the East for being weak. And if we lose to Arkansas and fail to secure the East, it'll be seen as a disastrous implosion by the only team that was really considered the division frontrunner (and thus another indictment on how terrible the East is). We are in the rare and unique position of carrying the division's reputation on our backs. I'd love to see us take it and run with it by downing two of the West's best teams.

And finally, this is a huge weekend for recruiting. The state and nation's No. 1 recruit, Jadeveon Clowney, will be in attendance for an official visit along with Lateek Townsend, another highly sought-after prospect. Doing it big on the field will be a tremendous help in securing not only those two, but the other recruits left on our board.

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Nice write. I agree.

by Skulls and Spurs on Nov 5, 2025 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

I agree on all account.

There seems to be the feeling among Gamecock fans that we are incapable of winning all four of out last games. I think people compensate for this by declaring Arkansas as the game they would be most OK with losing. I think that winning out is a distinct possibility, maybe the best chance we’ve ever had. We need to capitalize this weekend.

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

by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 5, 2025 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

No matter what happens with the East, we won't get as much respect if we don't beat Arkansas

thats the selling point for me on this game since last saturday. It feels great coming off a baseball season in which we won another National Championship for the SEC, and now being able to be the torch bearer of the East in football. I know alot of people on here doesnt take what the nation thinks of our program seriously, but I for one do.

by Gamecockrock on Nov 5, 2025 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

I sure as heck do.

This season has been great not only for the wins but, also, for the amount of national exposure we’ve gotten due to the play of our “Big Three.” We need to capitalize on that by finishing strong and keeping our names in the headlines. That’s what it’ll take to truly wrap up this class and set our heels in for further success in future years.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 5, 2025 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with everything except it helping out against Florida.

I think it may actually hurt us against Florida if we beat Arkansas. It could be synonymous with defeating Alabama, and then dropping a game against Kentucky. Our team seems to get lazy once they feel they’ve accomplished something.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 5, 2025 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

I understand where you're coming from.

But with one exception — at least that I can think of — we’ve always been ready to play Florida under Spurrier. And this is not your typical Florida team, nor your typical USC team for that matter.

I know we’ve had letdowns after getting a big win. I agree that we’ve tended to get too cocky at the first taste of success. But if we can’t get our guys to play the game of their lives for a chance at making school history, there’s a serious problem with the staff.

by RumblinFish on Nov 5, 2025 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

One thing about this game...

It’s getting almost no media coverage. That’s surprising for a game with two ranked teams, but I guess it’s unsurprising considering the lack of “implications” at stake in the game.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 5, 2025 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

It also doesn't help that the Arkansas hype machine has derailed a bit.

And since the East is perceived as being one of the worst divisions in the BCS this year, there’s not much for media outlets to pump up. You’d think that a perennial underdog being a division frontrunner is an interesting story worth covering, but as the World Series proved this year, people just don’t care as much if a big name powerhouse isn’t involved. There’s not as much money in it for advertisers, etc. either.

by RumblinFish on Nov 5, 2025 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

great post

excellent points. there is no SEC game that “doesn’t matter”.

plus we got beat - bad - by the Hogs last year. Pride demands that we return the favor.

They wore garnet helmets.

by tryptic67 on Nov 6, 2025 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

You know...

This is probably a moot point for the players. Does anyone really believe that any of them aren’t going to be into this game? This is one of those things fans talk about that really has nothing to do with how the game will play.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 6, 2025 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I dunno, GM

players are players - not fans. And I mean that without a trace of irony or sarcasm. Lots of time, the players and fans have identical interests. Often time, though, it seems what motivates fans fails to motivate players … or vice versa. Plus, your average fan is older than your average player … so … I agree that the players always want to win, but I worry sometimes that they’re saying what they need to say to please coaches, but not truly geared up. We shall see.

They wore garnet helmets.

by tryptic67 on Nov 6, 2025 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

We will not get 10 wins.

We will not go undefeated at home. We have no positive momentum going into Florida. We have no respect, and we will not get any of the recruits who watched this travesty of a game.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 6, 2025 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

Well, you will at least be pleased to know...

…that we picked up not one, but TWO commitments this weekend (somehow). 3* OL Kyle Harris and 3* S Kadetrix Marcus are important pickups, seeing as those are positions of need. Additionally, Lateek Townsend said that we are still in the lead. Clowney said he had a great visit, and though he declined to name a leader, he’s never indicated one before, at least not explicitly.

So, we’re still in good shape with recruits, believe it or not. Sometimes you can actually spin a loss in a positive way, as in a “This is why we need you” kind of approach. Besides, if these guys don’t come to Carolina because of one game, well, they weren’t gonna come here anyway IMO.

by RumblinFish on Nov 8, 2025 12:53 AM EST up reply actions

I was just venting.

We were in the middle of getting pounded at the time. That’s good news though. Thanks.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 8, 2025 6:02 AM EST up reply actions

Kadetrix Marcus looks like a definite keeper. His offer list makes me think that he's a four-star talent.

As far as Clowney and Townshend go, who knows. At least Clowney is now learning that even Saban has a down year from time to time.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 8, 2025 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

And hey, like I said, you could even spin this loss in his favor.

The difference maker in the Arkansas game would have been pressure on the QB. Whenever the pocket collapsed and we got Mallett on the run, he made poor decisions or was forced to throw the ball away. Seeing that Clowney lives in the backfield and eats quarterbacks for lunch, he is a defensive presence that could have literally won that game for us. It wasn’t the kind of showcase you want to have, but it was a demonstration of how much we need him.

by RumblinFish on Nov 9, 2025 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

No problem. I was as desperate as you were for a silver lining.

The only downside is that I really think Townsend could have pulled the trigger this weekend if we’d won. He’s had a pretty bizarre recruitment, though — he was a Clemson lock and even a rumored silent until the Bama win, so who knows with this kid. Still hoping he signs with us, though.

by RumblinFish on Nov 9, 2025 12:36 PM EST up reply actions