IT'S THURSDAY! FOOTBALL IS BACK! After two agonizing days and nights without football, its finally time to lace 'em up again. Let's take a look at tonight's marquee match up, Ole Miss @ USCe.
Two games into the season, we still aren't totally sure what to think about this Ole Miss team. They came into the season with all the hype in the world, probably more than they have had in years if ever. The unquestioned second best quarterback in the SEC in Jevan Snead. You have a fantastic receiver duo in Dexter McCluster (who also excels at running the Wild Rebel formation), and Shay Hodge. The only real offensive question was at running back but Brandon Bolden and High School Prep All-American from a few years back Enrique Davis have held that part of the game down pretty well. Even the kicking game is perfect with 2/2 on FGs and 11/11 on extra points.
But they haven't played anyone. Sure Memphis isn't a bad team and they got an impressive win, but that was a very close game until the 4th quarter. Ole Miss was up just 10 heading into that quarter. And with the second game because against an FCS school, you don't really have a measuring stick yet. But you will tonight.
South Carolina has had a bit of an up and down season offensively as well. The Gamecocks really struggled offensivily against NC State on opening night winning just 7-3, but just the next week nearly defeated Georgia losing 41-37 on a UGA goal line stand. But the ship was righted again last week with a big win over Florida Atlantic, but that doesn't tell us much just yet. And the UGA game doesn't say much either since their defense looks like swiss cheese at this point in the season. I really like quarterback Stephen Garcia - a dual threat guy that seems made for Steve Spurrier's offense. Garcia is 3rd on the team in rushing, and through the air has a 63% completion percentage but only a modest 3-2 TD/INT ratio. He is however just a sophomore. I don't have a good read on their running backs with Brian Maddox getting the bulk of the carriers but having only a 2.5 yards per carry average. Maddox is also a weapon in the passing game with a pair of receiving TDs as well. Maddox is really the short yardage guy though having a season long of just 9 yards and having 3 TDs. Jarvis Giles gets a lot of carries as well and has a more respectable 5.7 YPC average. They have a pair of double digit catch receivers in Tori Gurley and Weslye Saunders, but I have to admit, I didn't know anything about them coming into this season.
This game is very hard to pick. Ole Miss has the talent, but USCe is at home. And its ESPN on a Thursday night, which is the breeding ground for upsets. Vegas is giving the Rebels four points in this one as well.
My Pick: I take the Rebels 24-17 barely covering the spread and having to win with a late 4th quarter drive. Don't be surprised if USCe gets the win, but I just don't see it. Especially since they have never beaten a top 5 opponent at home in their history.
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