Thinking about the SECCG I cant help but wonder: What's more important? Winning this one game, or consistently competing for it?

In my opinion, just getting to the game makes this season a success as many, including myself, thought this ball club to be another 7-8 win team. I predicted 8-4 as a marker as success as the program needed to get over the 7-5 hump that they had been stuck in the last few seasons. Well, they did that and a little more by getting to a 9-3 record during the regular season, and loosing last weekend to make it 9-4. Yes, 10-3 would have looked GREAT and getting to the sugar bowl would have been awesome, but keeping things in perspective: the Gamecocks need consistency more than they need a championship ring. The program is right on the cusp of being an 8-10 win team every year and once that starts, the championships will come, but what we dont want is for this to be a good team and nothing more (ala Lou Holtz 2001 team).

This team is a program changer so long as they continue to improve during the off season and  play to their potential next year. Their success this year has placed the program well in terms of recruiting for this, and next year as the high school kids are seeing that the Gamecocks can win, and compete for titles -- but for them to take that notion seriously the Gamecocks are going to have to do it again, and again, and again. 

Fans: remember where this team was 11 years ago and where we are today. It's been a stressful decade as a Gamecock, but things are looking up for the 2010's.