South Carolina Gamecocks to play Miami Hurricanes in Independence Bowl

After a disappointing season, the Gamecocks' bowling options were limited to the lowly Birmingham and Independence bowls, with the Belk an attractive but unlikely possibility if things fell the Gamecocks' way.

Unfortunately, the worst of those options has come to pass, and the Gamecocks are headed to Shreveport to take on the Miami Hurricanes in the Independence Bowl. While the Gamecocks are in no position to complain given their failures on the field this season, suffice it to say that this bowl isn't an attractive one. The bowl is at the bottom of the SEC pecking order, which means Carolina was, indeed, the least attractive bowl-eligible SEC team. Shreveport also lacks appeal as a holiday destination in contrast to a warm Florida beach town, and it's far away in contrast to Charlotte, which is a quick drive up I-77 from Columbia.

The bowl will take place on 12/27 at 3:30 ET. The broadcast is on ABC.

This is the Gamecocks' second appearance in the Independence Bowl. In Steve Spurrier's first year at Carolina, the Gamecocks lost to Missouri in the bowl in 2005, when Mizzou QB Brad Smith led a come-from-behind victory for the Tigers.

The Gamecocks' opponent, Miami, had a disappointing season much like Carolina. The 'Canes seemed to have their season turned around at midseason, when they strung together some impressive wins and nearly upset rival Florida St. However, they ended on a sour note with some ugly losses. We'll have more on Miami in the coming weeks.