Although I’m not so sure I share your optimism for how our guys will do in this game, trap or not. You’re right that this will be a great chance for us to get some respect with a huge upset, so we’ll hopefully be fired up. But when I look at the talent these two teams have at each position, ‘Bama just looks so much better. And it’s not that I don’t think we’ll be good. We’ve recruited very well by our standards for the past few years and could finally be on the verge of the breakout season that’s always right around the corner for Gamecocks fans. But when I look at ‘Bama, especially that front seven, I see a team that could very well be back in a BCS bowl. It’ll take one of our best efforts and a relatively poor game by you guys for us to have a chance to win.

Totally agree on the trap game. The Ole Miss vs. Alabama game is going to get a ton of hype from Ole Miss fans, as they clearly see that as the game of the season. If we win the Ole Miss game the South Carolina game could definitely be a let down game.

Also, I really like South Carolina’s chances in the Ole Miss game earlier in the year. I think South Carolina is one the teams that could have a lot to say in who wins the SEC west division. Of course, by the same token they could get absolutely destroyed by that schedule; where they could conceivably go 1-5 or 2-4 over the last 6 games. That back half is brutal for South Carolina.

in the SECCG really stung.

At most positions, say defensive line, what I saw was similar talent and levels of depth, but the absence on our team of a difference maker like a Terrence Cody. I’d call that a slight advantage. Our defensive line is very good relative to most teams in the conference not named Alabama or Florida, as are our receivers, linebackers, etc.

The reason I give you guys the two TD victory is I saw slight advantages literally across the board for you guys, with a couple of strong advantages. This is compared to, say, Georgia, a team that I think we stack up well against at a few positions but should ultimately lose to due to having deficits in more matchups than not. Even if some of them are close, I just don’t see where we have a matchup that should favor us, which in my mind means that we’re going to have a tough time keeping it close.

He has way more big plays than screw-ups. He was about the only player that came to play in Sugar Bowl. I think the criticism of Arenas as a returner is about one of the stupidest things people say. He has literally won games by himself (think Tulane). Not only that he may be the most improved cornerback in the country.

McElroy to Jones will be better than anything SC can come up with.

Or God for that matter.

As far as McElroy vs. Garcia goes, we’ll see. And I mean that with no irony. Both are question marks at this point. I know McElroy played well in the spring, but the same could be said for Garcia.

that when he shut us down at Mississippi State we didn’t have big time receiving threats.

…or passing threats, or rushing threats, or blocking threats….