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In a recent interview with EDSBS, Phil Steele predicted that the winner of the annual early season showdown between South Carolina and Georgia will determine which team challenges Florida for the SEC East in 2010.  Steele complimented the talent on the Gamecock roster and stated that prior to looking at the difficult schedule faced by South Carolina he had the Cocks playing in Atlanta this December.  Can it still happen?

The Gamecocks face Southern Miss on ESPN next Thursday night before the Bulldogs make their way into Columbia on September 11th.  Georgia will have played Louisiana-Lafayette the prior Saturday.  There is little doubt that South Carolina faces the stouter opponent in game one and that should be an aid to helping the Cocks prepare for UGA.  Additionally, the extra days of preparation certainly don't hurt.  This will not be the best Georgia team that the Gamecocks have played, but they remain talented and will present a challenge.  There's a lot of "newness" surrounding Bulldog football from its freshman QB Aaron Murray to its defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and his fresh scheme.  There's also a lot of the same in Athens - good athletes, a strong stable of RBs, A.J. Green, and excellent special teams.  I expect Aaron Murray to mature into a good QB in the SEC, but can he get the job done against a very tough South Carolina defense in his first SEC and road game?  Don't bet on it.  The Gamecock defense, which projects to be better than it was a year ago, will be too much for the young Murray.  Coupled with the fact that reports indicate that Steve Spurrier's offense should have some more life in it this year, I see the Gamecocks beating the Dirty Dawgs under the hot September sun and moving to 2-0.  The question remains: Can USC get to Atlanta?

It won't be easy.  After Georgia, South Carolina should roll over Furman before heading to the plains of Alabama to face a overrated highly touted Auburn team that will start former five star Florida signee Cam Newton at QB.  Regardless of your view on how good Auburn really is this year, it's tough to win at Jordan-Hare under the watchful eye of the war eagle.  If the Gamecocks can get that one and be 4-0 with Bama coming to Columbia after a USC bye week - ooohweee, we'll be in for some fun at Williams-Brice!  Alabama, though no doubt more talented than the Gamecocks overall and the defending national champion, has some tough games prior to meeting South Carolina (Penn State, Arkansas, and Florida).  The Gamecocks match up well with the Tide, and it will probably be the biggest game in Gamecock history if we're 4-0 when their team buses roll into town.  

USC should defeat Kentucky, Vandy, and Tennessee before the back to back games against Arkansas and Florida arrive in November.  Obviously, those are two tough ones.  I like having Arkansas at home, and really don't know just how good they're going to be.  No doubt the offense will be potent with Ryan Mallett at the helm, but how good will the defense be?  If South Carolina can go into The Swamp with a shot to win the East, it will have been a fantastic season.  To have reached the tenth game of the year and still be in the hunt would be the first time the Gamecocks will have truly challenged for the SEC Championship.  Florida is fast and talented, but how far will they fall without Tim Tebow?  John Brantley is a good QB, but he's not #15.  How much will the loss of Tebow's leadership alone impact the Gators?  

We're a week away from kickoff.  Anxiety is kicking in and emotions are high all over the country.  Do the Gamecocks have a shot to get to Atlanta?  Yes.  Will they?  Time will soon tell.