The Feed Pail: August 18, 2014

TFP:   The Clock Strikes Ten.*

The Big Spur: Bad news out of the Saturday scrimmage: RG Mike Matulis suffers a knee injury. It's too soon to know if this is season-ending or not.  Not so long ago [i.e., before the hiring of Eric Wolford and Shawn Elliot] this sort of preseason injury to a starting lineman would have been devastating for our chances; fortunately, we have built depth on the OL unlike any other time in modern Gamecock history.   Here's hoping Mike makes a speedy recovery but it doesn't look like he will be playing against A&M barring some amazingly good news. Cody Waldrop will start at RG with Mason Zandi backing him up, and Clayton Stadnik at Center.

Heraldonline: AP writer Pete Iacobelli reports that Spurrier is pleased with South Carolina offense.

Orlando Sentinel: Steve Spurrier eyes first SEC title with Gamecocks by Edgar Thomas.

Gamecock Pride: SC Lands at No.9 in AP Preseason Poll.  You always wanted a Top 10 program?  Well now you have it.  The obvious question - can we keep it?

Team Speed Kills: AP Preseason Top 25 Really Likes the SEC. A Lot.  Well, you're known by the company you keep.  So much for Bob Stoops' talking point that the Big XII (three teams v eight for the SEC) is better top-to-bottom.  For that matter - so much for any conference's talking point about depth.  Of course it won't last as we start knocking each other out.

USA Today: The coaches' poll also came this weekend with USC ranked # 9. It will be hard impossible calling it the "Amway Poll" with a straight face.  Are you freakin' kidding me?   Face palm.

Good Bull Hunting: Kenny Hill named as starting Aggie QB against USC.

LOHD: Flounder says Gamecocks Punting Must Improve in 2014.

GoGamecocks:   In case you still have some free views left - Five Things We've Leared About the Gamecocks.

Rant Sports: South Carolina Football 2014: Top 5 Questions Entering The Season.  No big surprises here.

Greenville News: USC’s Coach Spurrier opens up on, off field.   "He doesn’t take himself too seriously."

Gamecock Cereal: Best Offensive Performances of the Spurrier Era.   Rixon Lane looks at the pure numbers.

Gamecocksonline: The rout - Top Moments of the Spurrier Era - #6.   Also - Gamecocks are No. 1 on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.   That's for the whole athletic department, folks.

Athlon: Says Gus Malzahn is Nation's Most Clutch College Football Coach but notes the HBC (tied #3 in win % and tied #8 in overall wins) is 11-3 in one possession games over the last three seasons. I'll take that against Gus' two fluke wins over Georgia and Bama.

GoUpstate.com: USC product Gilmore hoping to help Bills reach playoffs.   The three year veteran is hoping to come back 100% after off-season hip surgery.

Sacramento Bee: Harbaugh on Marcus Lattimore: "Not quite there yet".   "Asked if Lattimore was destined for a second straight season on an injury list, Harbaugh said, 'I wouldn't make an assumptions. He's making gains every day.'"

ProPlayer: One-On-One with Browns’ Quarterback Connor Shaw. Good write-up with some Q&A.

Houston Chronicle: Jadeveon Clowney shows home fans just why he was No. 1 overall pick.

Sportstalksc: Martin’s hard work pays off with spot in Silva’s final five.  What's not to love about 6'8" PF averaging 13 points and 9 boards?

College Spun: Egg Toss.

* - What?  You were expecting The Dream Police?  There's a numerical theme at work here, in case you missed it, but Cheap Trick could rock or what?