Underacheiving Gamecock D - Kentucky thinks it can use SC as fodder

Sensing a wounded Gamecock,
Wildcats pull out the stops
with special uniforms vs S.C. 

If you've been a Gamecock fan for long, you can remember when opposing teams would wait until

the crescendo of South Carolina's famed 2001 entrance, to run out onto the field, too. Stealing a little piece of the Gamecocks' glory for themselves.

Tennessee, Arkansas, Clemson and even East Carolina had no fear of the Brad Scott-level coaches that used to walk the sidelines of Williams-Brice. And there was not a reason to be frightened.

But a funny thing has happened in the Steve Spurrier era. Teams are real careful not to provoke the Gamecocks by using 2001 in an attempt to show up the home team. Winning has a way of shutting up wannabes like nothing else.

But now, after USC's defense is almost non-existent, surrendering a 13-point cushion to give Missouri an improbable win last week, Kentucky is rolling the dice it can punk South Carolina, too.

Tonight, at Kentucky, the Wildcats will wear all-chrome helmets with a blue logo, and black uniforms. It is a part of a blackout.

Teams only go to such measures when they think they have a good chance for a win. It is a gamble as SC fans can attest to when Spurrier brought his Florida Gators a a Gamecock blackout in 2002.

The strong Gator team dominated the Gamecocks on the arm of QB Rex Grossman.

Now Spurrier is being treated like fodder for a probable upset by Kentucky.

And why would anyone blame the upstart Wildcats? The gamecocks D has not been able to play a full game this season.

If SC's D does not mature faster than it has been progressing, the Kentucky win will be easy.

South Carolina cannot expect its offense to outscore every opponent, week after week.

And even if Gamecock QB Dylan Thompson and the offense lights up Kentucky, as last week proves, a double-digit lead with a little more than one-third of the fourth quarter left, is not security. The SC defense has shown it can give up lots of points, fast.

SC has its back up against the wall. Past wins, or the names of Clouwney, Quarels, Ingram or Swearinger will help them none.

It is time for the SC D, and the coaching staff, to be worthy of a tradition that was set by those before them. If the D is not prepared, Kentucky is ready to Black Them Out.

Stay tuned!