Take a break from all the robo-calls, push-polls and attack ads with your Saturday presidential preference primary edition of TDF.
Gamecock Men's Basketball.
Anderson Independent-Mail: Brad Senkiw's piece - USC still seeking first SEC road victory. Tip-off at 1:30. TV - SEC Network.
Post & Courier: Darryl Slater writes that Time off helped USC - Gamecocks look to regain offensive touch.
Mitch's Sports Chat: Vegas handicapper says the game is virtually a pick 'em.
Montgomery Advertiser: College basketball preview: South Carolina at Auburn.
Al.com: Rob Chubb working on hands as Auburn hosts South Carolina Saturday.
SpursUp Blog: "Inside The Chart" with Andy Demetra. Gamecock hoops talk.
Gamecocksonline: Information and notes on this afternoon's game against Auburn from the University's athletic department (with video of press q-and-a with Coach Horn and Bruce Ellington).
Gamecock Football
NBC Sports: RB Miles uncertain final season will be with Gamecocks. The first part of John Taylor's piece simply rehashes Darryl Slater's reporting, but then Taylor goes on to editorialize: "If Miles wants to do something other than stand on the sidelines for his final season, a move to another program would make the most sense." I completely, totally disagree; there are no guarantees that Marcus will be 100% by Labor Day (and while no one doubts his dedication, most knees take 18 months to heal fully). I think convincing No. 31 to finish his college career in Garnet and Black will be Everette Sands' priority numero uno. The HBC showed how much he values Kenny by steadily feeding him the ball against Clemson and Nebraska; as much upside as we expect from Mike Davis, he is still a freshman - we need a proven, healthy veteran like Kenny going into 2012 and I am convinced he will get his fair share of the touches.
Athlon: SEC: Very Early Predictions for 2012.
Post & Courier: Little recruiting drama this time for South Carolina, Clemson. Darryl Slater takes a look at the two recruiting classes.
Al.com: Mark Inabinet pens a SEC Football by the Numbers: 2011 season roundup, and reminds us of an important number pertaining to Alshon Jeffery.
GoGameocks: The State's GoGamecocks editor Dwayne McLemore catches up with 49ers rookie CB Chris Culliver and asks five questions before Sunday's NFC title game.
Cocky Country: Another One Bites The Dust…Craig Fitzgerald To PSU. Katie seems peeved by another coaching departure, but wishes Coach Fitzgerald good luck at Happy Valley.
From my perspective, I suppose it makes sense for Craig Fitzgerald, a Philadelphia native, to want to coach in the Keystone State, and I don't mind him leaving so much as I mind him leaving us for a program for which l no longer have any respect. If Fitzgerald wants to walk the same halls where the monstrous Jerry Sandusky was allowed to prey on children under the protection of Joe Paterno's moral blindness, not to mention the apparent acquiescence of the athletic administration, then he is welcome to it. For my part, were I to set foot in the Lions' practice facility, I would be wondering whether I was standing on a spot where Sandusky committed some unspeakable crime. Happy Valley will be tainted for years - and deservedly so. The recruits are smart enough to figure out that the place is toxic. Hope the money was good, Craig; the same goes for you too, John Butler. It appears that there's a ton of cash up in State College - according to SI.com: Ex-Penn State assistants to get $4.4 million in severance. (Ed. - Have the victims received a dime yet?)
More links, including Olympic Sports, Women's Hoops and the Loose Feed after The Jump!
Olympic Sports and Women's Hoops
Gamecocksonline: The Peach State Pups swept the Gamecock swimmers and divers at a dual meet in Athens. Going in, we figured the Water Dawgs to be our toughest competition on the season, but we failed to get revenge for their win last year. On the good news front, South Carolina freshman diver Cole Miller has been named a finalist for the Saskatchewan Sport Awards Youth Male Athlete of the Year. Congrats, Cole.
Gamecocksonline: The USC Men's tennis team hosts a Saturday Doubleheader today.
Charlotte Observer: Profiling Dawn Staley's prize recruit G Tiffany Mitchell of Charlotte's Providence Day. Can't wait to see Tiffany feeding the rock to Aleigsha Welch next year.
Loose Feed
SDS: Jon breaks down the SEC East Key Losses And Returnees.
MrSEC: The SEC’s Mr. Transition Talks Scheduling.
MrSEC: John Pennington writes a really compelling piece on the Post-BCSCG assault video story.
ESPN SEC Blog: Chris Low writes an equally compelling piece in a similar vein - Policing their own a must for SEC fans.
GoVolsExtra: Derek Dooley taps MTSU's Joe Palermo as the Vols' new DL coach.
SB Nation: Houston Texan's QB coach Greg Knapp An Auburn Offensive Coordinator Target, According To Report. Are the Plainsmen going to go to a pro-style offense? Wow. Talk about a sea change; no wonder Gene Chizik has been taking his time on this hire.
Team Speed Kills: On the other hand, Year2 tells us It Doesn't Matter What Offense Auburn Runs. While you're at TSK, check out Kleph's post on Phil Steele's Projected SEC Returning Starter Tally.
SI.com: Stewart Mandel grades the new hires now that the coaching carousel has (mostly) stopped.
DixieFriedSports: Top 25 Heisman Candidates for 2012.
Stale Recruiting Dish - But You Can't Resist
MrSEC: I don't know how I missed this from Thursday, but it's good - SEC Commitment Comparison. Can you sense that I've become a huge fan of Pennington's site, or what?
LifeofaGamecock: South Carolina Recruiting: Instant Impact Recruits from the 2012 Class. From Friday.