At least now we know what’s been going on

Even for those of us who didn’t drink all the preseason hype about the Gamecocks, it has been obvious that something has been just a bit “off” this year.  We knew we were young defensively and we would struggle a bit, but even that couldn’t account for the absolute gashing and dying late that we’ve witnessed. 

Don’t be mad at Clowney for retreating and protecting himself.  Based on what folks are whispering in his ear, I probably would be doing that myself.  That is a ton of cash at risk and he probably freaked out a bit when the injuries started popping up.  In other words, I believe he started out this year fully intending to play and give it his all.  Then reality hit and he’s gun-shy.  Who wouldn’t be? 

This team may be still “alive” for all of our original goals, but that is largely because of who we’ve played.  Don’t misunderstand me, a win is a win and I just got finished talking about how we should get behind the team.  I still believe that 100%.  

But don’t expect me to run out and bet the mortgage payment on it.  We’re the youngest team in the country with only 5 scholarship seniors on the entire roster.  We may have been hyped as an 11 or 12 win team, but truthfully an 8-4 or 9-3 regular season would be good work AND lay the foundation for 2014.  We will have 13 seniors starting next year even with Clowney gone to the NFL.  5 of our first 7 games next year are in Columbia and the two road games in that stretch are Vandy and Kentucky.  

So yes, I am still happy as can be with this program although it appears we are headed for a loss or two in the next few weeks.  All the remaining games are winnable and most all are losable as well.  Frankly, if we come back to Columbia to play Miss. State with a 6-2 record we’ve done quite well.  

I know that idiot at the State smells blood and has re-emerged from his Mom’s basement to start attacking Carolina again.  And the Yabble Dabbles in Orange are just wetting themselves because their schedule finally is easy enough to get them through a season unbeaten.  But now at least we know what has been going on, what must be done to correct it and most importantly what we realistically can accomplish.  

If we play a good game over in Fayetteville, that is a VERY winnable game.   Then we go to Knoxville, where they may have just used up their best shot on Jawja and missed.  Mizzou is going to be tough no matter how you slice it.  But then we come back home to four very winnable home games.  I think it all shakes out with us at 8-3 or 9-2 headed into the Klimpleton game.  I could live with that, especially when you consider the future.  

It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!