WELCOME TO THE COCKBLOCK. CHECK IN EVERY WEEK FOR TAKEAWAYS, PREDICTIONS, GAMECOCK FOOTBALL ANALYSIS, AND NOTHING POSITIVE ABOUT THAT TEAM FROM THE UPSTATE.
While Saturday was ugly, it was the best kind of ugly. McIlwain got a win in his first start and won the home opener in the process. The way the first quarter went had me and the other 80,249 people in sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium thinking it would be a blowout. While the game wasn’t exactly a resounding USC win, it was a win. And that should be all that Gamecock fans care about right now. Sure, if we were perennially an elite program like the Ohio States or Alabamas of the world we might be pretty concerned that Muschamp’s defense let the ECU offense rack up 519 yards and allowed a whopping 91 plays, but this is a rebuilding team that is just trying to get some Ws. Plus, even with all the yards given up, we only allowed 15 points to a solid ECU offense. Our defense became elite in the red zone when it needed to be. It’s extremely hard to watch, but it got us the win so I’m happy.
Muschamp also finally found his quarterback. Brandon McIlwain was superb, especially in the first quarter. While he only passed for 195 yards, he added an extra dimension in the red zone. Both of South Carolina’s touchdowns on offense were read option plays where he kept the ball and got to the end zone. Even though he didn’t put up explosive numbers, he was efficient through the air. He is safe with the ball, doesn’t make stupid throws, and is able to run his way out of trouble in many instances. We as fans just have to make sure that we remember that he is a freshman. While talented, he is going to do some freshman-like things, and we have to realize that it is going to take time to work out those kinks. I know that the atmosphere at my first ever football game at Willy B was unbelievable, and I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have the team on your shoulders for the first time in the home opener. After the game, he came running over to the students just smiling. It was his moment, and he embraced it. Brandon loves the atmosphere and the fans, and Brandon, we love you back.
IN OTHER NEWS
Florida State got absolutely smashed by Louisville on the road this weekend. However, I don’t believe that the playoff hopes for FSU are over. What is the Noles’ road to the playoff? Well, there are a few different routes. First, and most importantly, they have to win out. A loss to Clemson eliminates them from the playoff discussion. However, if they beat Clemson and Florida and Louisville is still undefeated, FSU has a serious case to be one of the top 4 teams in December. Also, one conference has to have a 2 loss champion. The most likely conference I see this happening to would be the BIG12, whose preseason favorite already has two losses through three weeks of the season. Another thing that could happen is Florida State, Clemson, and Louisville all beating each other. This would create a tiebreak situation, and if Florida State has one loss but wins the ACC, it should be in the playoff.
Louisville is for real. Lamar Jackson is for real. Louisville playoff hype is for real. This team has proven itself to be the best team in the country thus far.
One of my playoff picks, Notre Dame, basically eliminated itself from playoff contention with a second loss to Michigan State on Saturday.
Texas proves it is still the Texas of the past couple of years after a loss to Cal in #PAC12AFTERDARK.
ALSO
Volleyball: Howard d. Clemson 3-1, Penn State d. Clemson 3-0