Gameday forecast for Vandy
South Carolina needed Erik Kimrey last weekend.
Kimrey is coaching at Hammond these days, but no doubt can still throw the fade.
Stephen Garcia could not throw the fade – or complete it, anyway – in last week’s loss at Alabama. But it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
It’s worth noting that Alabama’s second-string corner is a senior who had played in more than 40 games, unlike the Kentucky true freshman who was victimized by Alshon Jeffery while subbing for Trevard Lindley.
But Garcia and the rest of the Gamecocks will find the end zone against Vanderbilt, which has returned to being the Vandy your older brother knew and loved beating up on. The ‘Dores are 0-4 in the SEC, and that December bowl “trip” to the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl seems like a distant memory.
Here’s hoping Vandy, which didn’t get to leave Nashville after earning its first bowl bid in 26 years, at least enjoyed a night or two at the Gaylord Hotel.
The ‘Dores have done some traveling this year, going from Baton Rouge, La., to West Point, N.Y., in an unsuccessful search for their offense.
Vandy did not score an offensive touchdown against Army, which does not say much for Commodores QB Larry Smith, but bodes well for our country’s future.
Of course, no one outside of Bobby Johnson’s family thought Vandy was going to beat USC the last two years, either, and Johnson, a dead ringer for funny-man Steve Martin, had the last laugh.
Steve Spurrier said this week he has only thrown his visor once this year – and that was during a win against Kentucky. If the HBC loses to Vandy a third year in a row, it will look like a giveaway promotion, with visors flying all over Williams-Brice Stadium.
But hold on to your hats, Gamecock fans – Vandy’s two-year reign over USC will end Saturday. As long as Garcia and the offense can manage a couple touchdowns – via the fade or otherwise – the Gamecocks’ defense is too fast and athletic for the ‘Dores to mount much of a threat.
Of course, we said the same thing last year, too. And the year before that. This time we mean it.
USC 27, Vandy 10
27 Comments to “Gameday forecast for Vandy”
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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. 
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Carolina needs to come out and not even let this one be close. This is a team that USC should never lose to but one way or the other has found a way to. Gamecocks right alot of wrongs Saturday night. 31-10. Go Cocks!
Joe…I love reading your stuff, man. I check your blog 3 or 4 times a day for new posts. “This time we mean it”….nice.
USC NEEDS A BLOWOUT WIN AGAINST VANDY TO MAKE STATEMENT TO THE UPCOMING SEC TEAMS THEY HAVE TO FACE.
Like the Four Horseman used to say during Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, “dues will be paid.”
Gamecocks 49, Commode Doors 10
If Spurrier loses this game he will be the one getting thrown off the top of Williams Brice.
Its that part of the season, If we let this become a game I won’t be suprised if we lose the last 4 remaining games of the season, this is a tell tell game for the gamecocks… the old carolina keeps this game close and may loose if their really is a NEW CAROLINA then we blowout vandy and atleast split the last 4 or the season!!
Garcia needs to stay settled for the Gamecocks to win. I think he was far too nervous and appeared somewhat intimidated against Bama. The receivers need to focus and catch the ball (with their hands, not on their pads – it wasn’t all SG’s fault). SS also needs to mix it up more, get back to the running game a bit. I thought the offensive play calling against Bama was, I’ll say… less than desirable. Just my opinion! The Gamecocks really should have no problem with Vandy if they play as well as they can. Gamecocks by 21.
We’ll blow ‘em out. 31-10.
I think Mozer must be Joe’s dad.
“Vandy did not score an offensive touchdown against Army, which……bodes well for our country’s future.”
Classic line Joe. I lol’d.
LOL JT!!!!
If gamecocks play their first Ace game of the season without any problems, they blow out Vandy 31-0
I read our competitors newspapers on a regular basis and never see the negative talk about their competion as I see and hear here in Gamecock land. It’s disgusting. I love my school and it’s sports, but the fans / media here need to learn how to act more civil. We are mediocre at best and have a ways to go. We have had our share of looking like pure fools after sputing our mouths off, in the past and I’m certain it will continue. Read the Alabama, Florida, Vandy, etc. news and you will never see the”look down the nose” articles you see here in The State. Press and fans, grow up!!
Ive, been a fan for many years. we have a young team, they learn and get better every week. I think we have the most talent this year than we ‘ve had in a long time. they grew up a little againt bama last week and confidence is getting better, i think they are a top ten team, no doubt, what about it guys do ya agree with that? they will play extra hard this week against vandy! we have turned the corner so to speak.
go !! GAMECOCKS!! I love this team. have a great game.
If the Gamecocks lose this game the chants “wait til next year” will be ringing in the streets of Columbia.
Wow. Ben Dover. Clever name.
Despite everything in my head telling me not to even bother responding to that…um, fantastic…post you made, my heart says, “for the sake of all true Gamecock fans, you must make it clear.”
IF we lose to vandy (not happening) we won’t be saying ‘wait till next year’, we’ll demand a better effort this year, because a loss to vandy this year means we soiled the sheets.
Point being that there is no ‘wait till next year’. There is only ‘what can we learn from this game to get better NOW’.
Eat Snacky Smores.
stephen garica cant throw the fade? that has got to be the most ignorant thing i have heard you say yet..and thats saying alot
How come Miles was redshirted last year. We coulda used him with the lack of production from Mike and Maddox
Garcia’s QB rating better take a jump up this weekend. I’m sitting in the middle of ACC land-Sunday’s paper has page 2 devoted to ACC basketball – in the middle of football season! I want to hear more offensive production from the COCKS so these jerks will shut up! Hopefully our local contributions to the Gamecocks-Saunders and Culliver-will each get to score a touchdown! Oh,and guys, stay in school thru your senoir year. You really can learn a lot more from Spurrier than from your agent!
This is New Carolina and we will blow vandy out i have faith in my gamecocks. They do desperately need this win for a self motivation for themselves and a blowout would definitely help the fans have a little light on the rest of the season. There is alot of unsatisfying quietness after the games rather than alot of cheering because your team just won. There should be alot more effort put into the pride of the Gamecocks! Final score 42-3
miles was redshirted because we have him for 4 more years einstein. Think about this (and no, this isnt a “wait till next year” type of comment. In 2 years we will have a massive o-line that can pull, setting up a mesmerizing assortment of trap and misdirection runs as well as some option play. Garcia, will be a senior leader with 4 years of play under his belt. He will have arguably the best receiving corp in the league with Alshon, little brother Shamir, Demario Bennett and god willing Sean Tapley and some other speedsters. The defense will feature a dominant d-line with d-ends at 6′-7″ and taller. Secondary will be the best in the country, hands down.
What does that add up to? A team that wont just contend for a national championship, but will make Urban Meyer, whomever Clemsons coach may be, and Lane Kiffen have to have sleepovers with the lights on because their nightmares of having to play us will be so freightening.
Take it to the bank.
NO, NO, NO JT! MOZER IS JOE!!!!!!!! LOLOL!!!!
this very, very young team has played much better than a team with this many freshmen playing should have played. but i love it. and after the bama game, i am more convinced than ever, that we can beat anyone left on our schedule, including florida. the funny thing is, we played bama tougher than any has this year, and our qb was off, most of the night. and our running game had it’s worst game of the year. yet we hung tough.
so i expect good things the rest of the year. as for the vandy game, with their offense struggling against much worse defenses, we should knock them out, 42-6.
I’m a Gamecock fan, my name said it all….
This teams displays great effort and hustle. While they are not perfect it great to see these boys playing with heart and flying around. Here’s hoping the gamecocks bring the wood for the rest of the season. Let’s go gamecocks!!!
Gamecocks show Vandy what the New Carolina is all about.
USC 28, Vandy 3
gamecocks make us proud and go for the gold. The a win from tennessee is a must .