Gamecocks' ranking and bowl picture
USC’s 34-21 victory over Arkansas vaulted the Gamecocks back into the national rankings at No. 24 and 23 in the Associated Press and USA Today coaches’ polls, respectively.
Though the Gamecocks have yet to beat a ranked team, they have won four of their past five SEC games — and the voters took notice.
For anyone who might be interested, here’s what my AP ballot looked like this week:
Nov. 9
1. Alabama
2. Texas Tech
3. Florida
4. Texas
5. Oklahoma
6. Southern Cal
7. Utah
8. Boise State
9. Penn State
10. Ohio State
11. Missouri
12. Georgia
13. BYU
14. Oklahoma State
15. North Carolina
16. Ball State
17. Michigan State
18. TCU
19. Florida State
20. LSU
21. Pittsburgh
22. Cincinnati
23. South Carolina
24. Tulsa
25. California
***************************************************
As far as the Gamecocks’ bowl picture, USC media relations director Steve Fink posed an interesting question last night while he was waiting for the, ahem, stragglers to clear out of the press box:
Would beating Florida hurt USC’s chances of landing a New Year’s Day bowl bid by potentially damaging the Gators’ hopes for a BCS bowl berth?
Most college football experts have been working under the assumption that both Florida and Alabama will claim BCS spots — with the SEC champion playing in the national championship game and the runner-up going to the Sugar Bowl.
But what if the Gamecocks hand the Gators a second loss, and Urban Meyer and Co. go on to pick up a third loss (either against Florida State or in the SEC championship game vs. Alabama)?
Would a three-loss Florida team, assuming the Gators are not conference champions, be deserving of a BCS at-large berth ahead of a second non-BCS school (Boise State or Utah), a two-loss Big Ten team (Ohio State, Michigan State or Penn State) or a two-loss Georgia team that was drilled by the Gators?
It makes for an interesting discussion, but I think when the smoke clears both Alabama and Florida will snag BCS berths, leaving the Gamecocks with a clear shot to Tampa.
The Outback Bowl likes USC. The Gamecocks brought a load of people to Tampa the two years Lou Holtz’s teams earned Outback berths, and it’s been seven seasons since USC has played in the game. Plus, one of the Outback scouts I talked to seemed to like the idea of quarterback Stephen Garcia playing in his hometown.
I think if the Gamecocks get to eight wins, they’re a lock for Tampa — and might even get in with seven.
Kentucky (6-4, 2-4 SEC) appears to be the other team with a shot at the Outback. With games remaining against Vanderbilt and Tennessee, the Wildcats have a pretty good chance of getting to eight wins.
Of course, USC beat Kentucky. And while the Outback is not required to take the higher-finishing team, I have a hard time believing the men in the tan blazers from Tampa would pass on Steve Spurrier, Garcia and 30,000 Gamecock fans.
54 Comments to “Gamecocks' ranking and bowl picture”
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USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
That’s a lot of assuming…lets just see what happens with Florida this coming week.
Totally agree here. With a loss and a win, I see us at the Outback.
I think regardless we’ll go bowling in the outback.
i agree
Operating under the “been there done that” philosophy, I am not too thrilled about another Outback appearance. How about some talk in regards to the Cotton Bowl.
Am I the only one who feels, even though it is not a New Years Day bowl, that the Peach Bowl (Chick-fil-A) would be an incredible opportunity for Gamecock Nation. We would be playing a natural rival in an ACC opponent, we haven’t been there since 1969 (I believe), geographically is “right down the road,” and we would have a great prime-time showcase on ESPN. Just my thoughts.
Tim I think that you are the only one who would rather see the gamecocks in Atlanta instead of Tampa.
Recruiting wise Tampa on NY’s is the place to be. No doubt about it. We want more players from Fla and playing in Tampa is huge. It’s a step up from the chicken bowl and more people will see it then the Peach Bowl. BUT if we do wind up there then it’s ok. L<)
Ron and Tim, et al.
Wow… I live close to Atlanta and have never seen a football game indoors (live that is); My feeling is baseball and football are outside games and Basketball and Hockey are played inside. Otherwise, its sissy like and thats not for me, sorta against one of my principles.
So, while I’d venture to see what sterile football is played on rubber carpet with a rubber ball and with tuperware everywhere – sorta like a circus…. instead….
A AGREE with RON. Tampa or Orlando is for USC. I want to recruit and showcase Garcia and Spurrier in the heart of Florida. With any fortune, if we play it up, and we should, we ought to get some decent kids considering the down years for Georgia, Tennesse and Clemson here in the south. (I hear rumors Richt is on his way out at UGA – as they around here aren’t happy that their pre-season #1 has failed to deliver, again)
One more thing… go Cocks.
Tampa would be awesome but part of me would love to see the Cocks wipe the Heels in the Georgia Dome. Well atleast we know whatever Big 10 teams gets to the Outback has no shot. Go Cocks!!!!!!!!!!!
any bowl is a good bowl as long as we win!!
This is part of our fan bases problem. We’re getting ready to play one of the best teams in the nation and most people assume a loss. Until we can get to the point where we hate Florida as much as we hate Clemson we’re a 2nd rate program. It’s too early to talk bowl games. Let’s go beat the hell out of the Gators!!!
Tim,
You’re definitely not the only one thinking the Chick-Fil-A bowl would be a more desirable bowl to play in. The energy from that bowl game always seems to be higher than that of the Outback. In prime time, people all over the country will watch the CFA bowl. The Outback bowl starts too early in the morning, and I think frankly usually gets flipped off at 12 when more prominent match-ups get underway. Give me North Carolina, Va Tech or Fla State over Mich St or Ohio St any day.
A down year for Georgia? They’re absolutely killing it in recruiting! Richt on his way out? Absolutely absurd.
Gamecocks vs. Tar Heels in Chik Fil A (Peach) Bowl would be an automatic sellout. UNC has big alumni base in Atlanta, and it’s only 3 hours from Columbia. And it will be an awesome preview of the 2009 game which will likely feature top 15 if not top 10 teams. Count me in.
Atlanta is close for the Gamecock Nation, but forget it. I think Tampa is a great fit. We travel well and the commission is aware of it. We have recruited well in Florida recently and it would mean greater exposure. I truly hope that we play Tebow and Co. well next week and a good showing wouldn’t hurt either. Lord knows, we do not need another game like last year. We couldn’t stop him at all. They destroyed Vandy on Saturday and they are on a mission to win out for a chance at the big game. By the way, no matter what they say, they always want to stick it to Spurrier.
Unrelated……..I would love to take a few more of Clemson’s committments and sprinkle in a few of UT’s. They (UT) have still managed to maintain their recruiting class after all their distractions. Let’s stay focused……..We really need to beat Clemson to keep what respect we have.
The Chick-Fil-A bowl is fantastic…. Prime Time Kick-Off….Not a single bad seat in the Georgia Dome…Plenty of night-life as well as family-friendly activities. Climate controlled….not to hot….or cold….or breezy…..and the atmosphere is loud, and electrified. The payout per school is handsome…the primetime national exposure is beneficial to the schools… and it pits an ACC school with an SEC school…..which is a natural rivalry for supremacy anyway. Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta….all would be great bowls..I’m just loving the fact that we can actually debate between these!
Of course, I don’t think there is such a thing as a bad bowl. Granted, some bowls are less prestigous…but it is a great opportunity for the young men…..extra practice, extra exposure, and just a pat on the back for a winning season- it’s a great experience…… At any rate, whether it’s 4, 6, or 8 hours away…I’m loading the truck and heading to wherever the Gamecocks end up….
“Ahem, straglers …”
He, he, he.
Good one Joe! We know who one of the straglers is now.
Regarding the discussion about beating Florida hurting the Cocks chances of a New Years Day bowl, I say baloney. If they beat Florida and Clemson and end up 9-3, they would be Capital One bound in Orlando. That’s the most presigious New Years Day bowl outside of the BCS.
So, in response to Steve Fink’s question, I say: Given the current situation, beating Florida certainly cannot harm the Gamecocks’ chances of landing a New Year’s Day bowl. In fact, it pretty much solidifies the most prestigious New Year’s Day bowl outside of the BCS.
The Cotton is out. They are the same positional pick as the Outback. The Cotton chooses from the SEC West and the Outback from the East. The capital one bowl is out. We do not have enough SEC games left to rise in the conference rankings. Rmember it is based on your conference ranking, not necessarily your overall W-L.
Car quest obviously the best bowl oportunity Outback is too early as above mentioned and Peach is against the ACC need I say more. To get the Car Quest I guess we need to win out so ill keep my fingers crossed and hope we get it done. If that happens I would love to see the long shot happen and see us in the cotton aginst a big 12 team…I would love to shut them down..go COCKS
ok first and foremost, I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK TO OUTBACK BOWL. We need to get another victory maybe against Florida and Clemson and go to either the Capitol One or Cotton. I like both of those Bowls personally.
Those of you saying “no” to the Outback obviously didn’t make the trip following the 2000 and 2001 seasons and it’s also obvious you aren’t planning on making the trip this season. How could anyone prefer one night in downtown Atlanta playing in a dome against some nobody ACC team over 3-4 days in Tampa where it’s 75 degrees and beautiful? The Cotton may be nice if you’re just going to watch it on TV but $1000 worth of plane tickets to fly to Dallas? What are some of you thinking?
I’m not saying “no” to ANY bowl. I think Tampa is nice and it is a good trip….but, no matter how nice it is in Tampa..11:00 am is not an ideal kick off time. I don’t care what the temperature is. That is just a personal quirk. 11:00 is kickoff time for my oldest sons football games, which is right after my youngest son’s soccer game….so- the whole early kickoff thing screams little league to me. It’s a good bowl, with a good payout…but we’ve been there….twice.. haven’t been to Atlanta since the mid 60′s… and Capital One bowl….Outback…..CFA…..I’m there……Cotton Bowl….probably wouldn’t be able to make that trip….but I’d definitely try my best. Anyway, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it! Right now, it’s almost time to hit the road to Gainesville
I’m more in favor of the Cotton Bowl; especially if we get lined up to play Texas.
Primetime Peach against NC sounds phenomenal to me. Outback(although cool and technically a higher tear bowl game) kicking off at 11 am is nowhere near as exciting as the prime time game……..you want recruits??? put USC on prime time t.v. when more viewers/kids are prone to watch people!! There’s options galore on New Years for the average fan, and save the baloney about the ACC being terrible, the Big Ten is no better!
I went to the Outback Bowl both years and LOVED it each time! That bowl is run with class and I LOVE going to Tampa! Also, our Outback Bowl appearances helped us get Garcia to come to Carolina.
It’s a great bowl and wonderful trip! GO COCKS!!!!
Here we go again, jumping the gun. Last week some clown wanted to name the defense and Arkansas got over 300 yds. Now we’re talking about running the table. That would be great, but FLA is the best team in the country at the moment and CLEMSUX is no pushover. Let’s let the games play out and then talk smack.
i think that many people are looking at florida and sayin” well, 4 losses it is”. what is it we carolina fans say… Oh yeah, “Why not us?!” why not us, why cant we beat florida, why cant we beat teh tigers, huh? with the exception of last years @$$ woopin, we have given florida all they can handle for years… this year, i think we beat them again, in the swamp…. and then, when we do, we get ready for the kitty cats… and when we when out, i think we get to the citrus bowl… i think it is time we get to higher bowls, and the citrus would be a change for carolina, i just dont think well get the bid to a cotton bowl, they prefer a western division team, and the outback would be nice, but i think we should move up in the ranks with a citrus bowl….
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PEOPLE, NO SEC EAST TEAM GOES TO THE COTTON BOWL ITS NOT GEOGRAPHICAL FOR A EAST TEAM TO GO THEY ALWAYS PICK A WEST TEAM HOW MANY TIMES DOES PEOPLE NEED TO SAY THAT AND THE CAR QUEST? DUDE YOUR STUCK IN THE 90′S THAT BOWL ISNT THERE ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE OUTBACK AND THE CHICKEN BOWL IS SO MUCH BETTER THAT THE LIBERTY OR THE MUSIC CITY SO DONT START GRIPING WE ALWAYS COULD GO BACK TO LAST YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stop with the bowl talk: BEAT Flordia and BEAT Clemson!
Let me change the subject a minute:
We have used the “Cocky formation” (formerly know as Wild Hog formation started by Arkansas & McFadden two years ago) a few times, without much notable success. How about we put McKinley in at the QB slot…he WAS a QB in high school. He has option experience, fast as lightning, a great football IQ, can lead block if needed, and defenses would definitely have to pay attention to his presence in the backfield. You flank him with Eric Baker on one side and Mike Davis/Bobby Wallace on the other, and run this play about 5-7 times per game (utilizing all your options out of it, including a down field pass) and this would definitely add an unsuspected wrinkle to our offense. Just a thought
Agreed.
Joey,
Tennessee beat Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl a few years back, but, barring an Alabama meltdown, the Cotton Bowl will have LSU. I agree with ATL, beat the GAYtors and beat Clemsux!
In response to “SMILEYS” remarks about Richt being “on the way out” at UGA…we should hope that is true. I read an article about the number of key players they have lost this year. Their offensive and defensive lines are made up of youngsters. This may be Richt’s best year of coaching. Oh yes, they are having another great recruiting year (much beter than us).
As far as bowl games are concerned, afther last years debacle, anywhere will be fine.
Eh. Guys, seriously. It’s Florida, in the Swamp. We always play them tough because we almost always have a tough defense. Unfortunately this year’s Florida defense is crazy good. Probably better than ours and maybe lots better. And their offense is playing as well as anyone else in the country. Short of Tebow ascending to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, we’re waiting till ’09 for this victory.
Personally, I’d be very happy with the Peach Bowl or the Outback bowl. I don’t want to bother with doing the math in figuring out how we get to either. Hell, I’d be happy to see us show one of those Big 12 teams what a defense looks like in the Independence. They could call in the Shutout in Shreeveport.
Florida’s defense “crazy good”, better than ours??? You’re out of your mind!!!
On the other hand is our D as much better than theirs as their O is better than ours? NO. Their O is the most unstoppable in the country, ours is somewhere between average and inconsistent. Our D is tops in the SEC and theirs is a little above average, but not spectacular. We hold them under 35, probably 34 or so, but the offense won’t score more than 24. Unless special teams comes up with some points we lose, but look better than anyone else has against FL lately.
As for bowls, until our offense quits sputtering, I’m not sure we want to bite off too much to chew in a bowl game. Whipping an ACC school in the Peach/Chicky bowl in primetime would be great for recruiting and a great/easy trip for fans. However, we should split our last two games and will probably be Outback bound, perhaps putting our two game winning streak against Ohio St. on the line.
There’s no bowl debate. The Outback Bowl is an upper tier bowl. It is better than the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. The Outback Bowl is viewed on the same level as the Cotton Bowl. So obviously we want the better bowl which is the Outback Bowl.
… and Florida’s D is good but not “great” and definitely not “probably better than ours and maybe lots better.”
What makes you think that anyway? That’s just strange.
…check defensive stats…
First off – I’ve heard serious discontent with Richt at UGA. Many of the Alumns wanted that National Title this year. It was seen as their best chance, but with Stafford and Moreno headed for the NFL they are grumbling mad. So, I’d agree with Smiley’s remark. Remember they gave Fulmer a new deal just last summer.
Second – We beat down the tar heels last year – so why not do it again this year. Take the Peach, come right into Georgia’s hot bed for recruits and go get em.
Third – Losses to both UGA and Vandy really sting right now. Either one or both in the W’ column sure would make things fun. The beat down UF has put on teams of equal quality as USC (UGA and LSU) recently concern me; but then again we beat Ole Miss the week after their victory at Florida.
Fourth – lets not get ahead of ourselves but we still have a chance for a 10 win season (10-3) or a six loss season (7-6) so what’s it gonna be boys?
Fifth – Take them one at a time. Concentrate on UF and maybe we play competitive enough to ek out a win.
Isn’t everyone jumping the gun here? Those of us who have been Gamecock fans all of lives certainly know what can happen and we surely have to look at the possibility of a 7-5 season. What’s the bowl scenario with that?
I’d bet if Gators had to play 4 hard quarters their stats would be better.
Get a 28 point lead and you can try out the freshmen in games … have a close game and you keep the starters in …
And don’t get me wrong, I hate Gators with a passion. But I also can read national rankings.
Tampa is a great place to be for NYs. It would give us great exposure in an area where we recruit heavily and the HBC is known well. I’ve been to that bowl twice, it’s warm, lots to do, beaches, amusement parks, etc. If Carolina plays its best game Saturday, they have a chance to stay close and possibly pull one out. Fla. and TT may be the two best offensive teams right now. After all, Fla. beat the Dawgs by 39 on supposedly a neutral site.
Anyplace would be good at this point. I can tell you that the Peach Bowl does a fantastic job. (been there 3 times) Outback, Capitol One, Liberty, makes no difference.
As far as Richt leaving UGA, i would not hold my breath on that one. His job is safe there.
Nice to be talking about the Gamecocks in a bowl at this time of year.
I stand by my statement about Florida’s defense. You can quote stats all day, but the scores tell the tale. Vandy scores 24 on us, only manages 14 in the Swamp, Georgia hangs 14 on us, just 10 in the Swamp, LSU hangs 24 on us, 21 in the Swamp. Where are we playing this year? In the Swamp. Against the best offense in the SEC. And without our star safety for the first half. And yes, they did lose to Ole Miss, but our D didn’t fare much better against them; Smelley had to come to the rescue there.
I love my Gamecocks, but they ain’t perfect by a long shot. If our D was playing as well as Florida, we wouldn’t have lost to Vanderbilt.
I could care less about the Florida game, just beat Clemson!
I cournting on two wins and a trip to the Cotten Bowl….the last game of the season a score of 65 to 10 sound good to me in Death Valley
just win the next two games and rest will take care of it’s self!! as far as recruiting go’s we should be able to pick up some good players who were committed to Tenn,Auburn or Clemson because all three of those schools will be looking for a coach by the end of the season.
Chick Fil-A/Peach Bowl would be best for the Team as far as recruiting & general exposure . . . . to have the national TV Audience all to ourselves for a night game and a well known ACC Team to whoop up on. While a New Years Day 11 o’clock kick off with the viewers diluted by the early hour and then diluted further as several other games drain what few viewers we started with . . . . in kick off after kick off over the next couple of hours. Sorry guys best for the team is Chick Fil A best for the fans (and Garcia) would be the Outback Bowl in Tampa. The Garcia Connection would add a little recruiting weight to Outback though.
Also South Carolina has a better Defense than Florida in my opinion. Remember having a strong offense with a powerful running game takes most of the load from the defense while South Carolina’s Defense has to deal with a weak running game on offense while Florida has one of the best running games in SEC.
Ironic isn’t it, Spurrier, will likely be depending on Rycheleski & Johnson to win this game more than ever!
well its true, florida is playing there best offense at the moment, But we have a good enough !! D-Fence !! to play with anyone, and whom knows the florida camp better than anyone? thats right i say we go down there and be bussiness like and get the job done! GO COCKS! KICK AS#..
Not so fast Joey..Tenn crushed A&M a few years ago in the cotton bowl..so an SEC east team can play there
Word Earl the Pearl!