Official Prediction: MSU v. USC

[Deltamud77]

I believe the spread is currently -6.5 for South Carolina. South Carolina lost some good players on D, but they have gained confidence under Spurrier. Spurrier has never won in Vegas, but those were different State teams.

I think the Gamecocks cover the spread and win 27-9.

[pondman]

USC covers the spread 3 times. Spurrier wins it going away.

36-9

Pondman

[Don Miller]

18-17 MSU

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I don't really have a "Feel" for this game, as both teams will be much different than last season.

MSU has the home field advantage and should have a pretty solid defense this season. Those two factors could be big in a first game. IF the SC offense sputters early in this game against the MSU D, and MSU does not self-destruct before being able to take advantage, then MSU could take this one by a couple of TDs.

But, to me, the "wild card" in this game will be how good the SC offense is this season. They have some really good players returning who were injured last season. And Spurrier appeared to have the offense on the right track for most of last season. So, how good will SC really be?

MSU's offense will likely sputter early as new playmakers learn to make plays and how to score. No more J. Norwood to rely upon for big plays. Others will have to step up when it counts. MSU needs some good things to happen early in the game to put points on the board and build confidence.

I am going to predict that MSU does get off to a good start with a turnover or two created by their D, putting some early points on the board and gaining needed confidence. SC's offense will sputter long enough for MSU to gain a decent lead, and then MSU will hold on to win a squeaker ---- 24-21.

[rjohnson]

Po Monk we appreciate your kindness!!! We hope your prediction holds true.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Well, so much for my prediction.

Yes, SC did sputter on offense early(I got that part right) ---very early ---like the first play when MSU intercepted the SC QB's first pass of the game, giving MSU 1st and 10 from the SC 24 yard line. 3 plays (only 1 running play) later, a 38 yard field goal was attempted and missed. At that point I was having flashbacks to last season when MSU could not seem to capitalize on turnovers and breaks to save their lives. This initial game sequence would be the story of the game for MSU. Unbelievable. WTF? I expected MSU's offense to do much better, especially against a very young and inexperienced SC Defense.

Then, as I suspected might happen early this season, Henig went down with an injury ----he is simply too small to take a consistent pounding from SEC sized DLs. He is a gutsy kid and a great competitor, but his body just does not match the size of his heart. Rutland initially looked like he provided an offensive spark, but later resorted to winging passes downfield to areas where no white shirts were present ---I have no idea who he was throwing to on several of those passes. He will need to learn to play under control or sit.

MSU will HAVE to get some type of potent running game going to have any chance of success on offense this season. The remaining healthy QBs are simply not talented enough to be throwing 2 out of 3 downs. Someone needs to step up. A running game would help the struggling QBs and open up the passing game. MSU OL did not look quite as good as I expected. So, that may be as much of the problem as a RB stepping up.

The D looks pretty solid ---especially Culberson and the other LBs.

Just some average offensive play ---get some first downs, move the chains, score a couple of times ---would have won this game for MSU when combined with the defensive effort given by the MSU D last night.

What a shame that such an opportunity to knock off Spurrier's gamecocks on national tv did not materialize. But, it was not for lack of support from the MSU fans. On the radio and tv, I could hear them loud and proud for most of the night (lots of cowbells too ---shhhhhhhhh ).