The State: Cloninger has the good, the bad and the ugly from Saturday's loss to Texas A&M. While he was very complimentary of the offense (namely Brandon Wilds), it's the defense that got a (well-deserved) good hammering: "It's the main reason USC is losing, and will continue to lose. Lack of talent's one thing - lack of awareness is a whole another." And so it goes. Tennessee, led by Josh Dobbs, awaits at Neyland Stadium on Saturday holding a two-game winning streak over the Gamecocks. We also get a look at how Shawn Elliot's expanded playbook helped the Gamecocks to their most points this season. Also, Lorenzo Nuñez should be getting an increased, Pharoh Cooper-like role in future games.
Greenville News: Willie Smith tells us that Shawn Elliott is undeterred by the A&M loss. Say what you want about Elliott, but he's doing everything he can to keep the team focused on each game at a time. Although they will need to pick up three wins down the stretch to become bowl eligible - with the Vols, Florida and Clemson looming (The Citadel should be a W), Elliott hasn't mentioned it to them to avoid putting pressure on them.
Gamecock Central: Chris Clark has some quick hitters as he wraps up A&M. ($)
SEC Country: As expected, the Gamecocks are a big underdog against Tennessee. I have the feeling that this one will be much closer than predicted, though, despite how much the Volunteers are favored by. Also, here's their report card from Saturday's game.
The Rubber Chickens: Buck, friend of GABA, has his snap judgments from Saturday's defeat. A lot of what he said was brought up by Cloninger, i.e. the defense, Elliott's coaching decisions, Wilds' success and Orth's overall play.
The Garnet and Black World Series continued yesterday, and Chad Holbrook tells The State that he's impressed with the team's newcomers. The Big Spur also did a Q&A with Holbrook following today's contest, a 6-0 win for the Black squad. There's certainly pressure for Holbrook and his group to perform and return to the NCAA Tournament after missing it for the first time since 1999.