Here come those South Carolina Gamecocks again, determined after two weeks of preparation for Saturday’s SEC home game against Texas A&M No. 7 to prove that a No. 24 defeat at Auburn was no accident.
The relative problem for Gamecock Nation is not a 2-3 record and the SEC’s frightening schedule ahead. It is the presence within the Palmetto State of that elephant in the room.
That’s right, a teal elephant.
Coastal Carolina is not only 15th in the Associated Press poll – 10 points since its debut two weeks ago – the courageous Chanticleers by Sagarin computerized assessments would be favored over South Carolina in a neutral field this week (as perhaps Darlington).
And the best 30 minutes of football for a state team this season were not delivered by Coastal Carolina, South Carolina or Clemson.
Winning football games during this COVID season is difficult and a lot of credit is due to players, coaches and employees willing to compete. That said, an updated ranking of the four Palmetto State teams that played this fall is required:
Clemson’s quarterback, DJ Uiagalelei (5), took considerable action in the Tigers’ 19 September victory over The Citadel and will start for the second week in a row when Clemson plays at Notre Dame on Saturday. Ken Ruinard / ACC photo
1. Clemson
Record: 7-0
This week: at No. 4 of Notre Dame
Associated Press Rating: 1
Question time:
Who said “They are not going to come to South Bend with a lack of manpower” while speaking on behalf of Notre Dame?
an. George Gipp
B. Rudy Ruettiger
ç. Brian Kelly
Yes, it was Fighting Irish’s head coach speaking this week. Kelly is fully aware that Clemson, even with DJ Uiagalelei replacing while quarterback Trevor Lawrence remains in the COVID protocol and an exhausted defense, is the favorite in Saturday night’s ACC showdown.
Come on, it’s not as difficult as it looks: ooh-ee-AHN-guh-luh-lay.
Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall (10) deceives Arkansas state defenders in Chantecler’s 15th place victory on October 3. Nick Masuda / Staff
2. Coastal Carolina
Record: 6-0
This week: at home against South Alabama
AP Rating: 15
Another South Carolina ranked team that survived quarterback problems. Coastal Carolina defeated Georgia Southern two weeks ago with reserve defender Fred Payton as a replacement for starter Grayson McCall.
Still, the post-game changing room celebrations continue, or in the case of Chanitcleers, a professional wrestling-style square circle attack in a simulated Eagle representing the South Georgia mascot.
Followed by a 51-0 win last week against a Georgia state program coached by Shawn Elliott who won last year in Tennessee.
3. The Citadel
Registration: 0-4
This week: late fall; will play eight games in the spring season
AP Classification: NR
The Bulldogs lost in South Florida, Clemson and Army and East Kentucky at home, as they prepared to dispute the Southern Conference title in the spring.
Still, canceling the top ranked team in the second half was a beautiful thing that should be celebrated with a plaque somewhere on The Citadel campus.
It all started with ACC officials offering Citadel coach Brent Thompson a clock running with Clemson winning 49-0 at halftime.
No, “full 60 minutes of football,” insisted Thompson.
Clemson’s second half totals:
107 yards in 27 moves (average 3.9 yards)
42 yards running in 13 moves (3.2)
That’s why these Bulldogs are number 3.
South Carolina running back Kevin Harris (20) plays a touchdown against Tennessee on September 26 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Harris has also carried on the Gamecocks’ attack so far this season. Sean Rayford / AP
4. South Carolina
Record: 2-3
This week: at home against No. 7 Texas A&M
AP Classification: NR
Good things include the appearance of second year running back Kevin Harris as an All-SEC candidate for the first team and that lovely October 17th afternoon against Auburn.
The frustrating parts start with an identity similar to 2019, which is inconsistency on both sides of the ball and hopes that Parker White can get into position for a field goal that wins the game.
That changes with Saturday’s victory over a very good Texas A&M team. Unfortunately, both Las Vegas and the eye exam say it looks like a 3-7 season.
And there was no way South Carolina could shutdown Clemson or win 51 against someone.
Follow Gene Sapakoff on Twitter @sapakoff