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USC's bowl picture remains far from perfect

Written by SETH EMERSON

semerson@thestate.com
Posted on 11.25.09
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Who will win the Palmetto Bowl: USC or Clemson?

SOUTH CAROLINA VS. CLEMSON

107th meeting: Tigers (8-3) at Gamecocks (6-5)

WHEN: Noon Saturday

WHERE: Williams-Brice Stadium

LINE: Clemson by 3

TV: ESPN (TWC 26/DTV 206/DISH 140)

RADIO: WNKT-FM 107.5, ESPN 93.1 FM

ONLINE: Seth Emerson blogs live from the game Saturday at gogamecocks.com

South Carolina is virtually assured one of the SEC's nine bowl bids - assuming Florida and Alabama each earn a BCS berth. The question is which bowl.

USC athletics director Eric Hyman believes the Gamecocks should be in contention for the Chick-fil-A Bowl if they beat Clemson.

"If you win, you're 7-5. People are enthusiastic," Hyman said. "Atlanta, they're well aware of our fans and the excitement of playing in Atlanta - or any of the other places ... and who potentially you can be matched up with. It could be extremely attractive."

The bowl picture in the SEC remains muddled, with a glut of 7-4 and 6-5 teams. The Music City, Papajohns and Independence bowls also are possibilities for South Carolina.

"I think we've got a job to do on Saturday, and that'll dictate a lot of where we end up going," Hyman said.

A place in history?

Senior defensive tackle Nathan Pepper was asked Tuesday if he had earned a place in USC-Clemson lore because of his fumble near the goal line in 2006, negating a sure touchdown.

"That's by no means special," Pepper said, earning laughter from the media.

"I probably earned for myself one of the terrible plays in the rivalry. I'll probably see that on the Internet later on in my life."

Pepper slowed down near the end of a 33-yard interception return. Coach Steve Spurrier suspended Pepper for the first half of the next game, the Liberty Bowl win over Houston.

"I really wish I had that play back," Pepper said. "But I played tough that game. We came out with the win, and that's what's most important. I'll take that again this year."

Wildcat debut?

Virginia had success early in its game against Clemson on Saturday using the Wildcat offense. The Gamecocks have a version of it, with Stephon Gilmore taking snaps, but have yet to use it this season.

Spurrier said he would "hope" to unveil the Wildcat on Saturday but admitted he has said that almost every week.

"There's a lot of offense that we've practiced most of the year that somehow or other we just haven't gotten to," Spurrier said. "But we don't need to hold anything back, that's for sure. But whether or not we get to it, shoot, we'll just have to wait and see."

What do they do?

While play-calling has been a hot topic in the past couple of weeks at USC, Spurrier was curious Tuesday about who was calling the plays at Clemson.

Offensive coordinator Billy Napier makes the call, but Spurrier said he noticed coach Dabo Swinney also "signals in a bunch of stuff."

"I haven't seen a lot written about how they call their plays," Spurrier said. "You know what, I forgot, they're winning. They've won their last six. That's why they won't dissect it."

Spurrier reiterated he will be the main play-caller against Clemson, which he said has been the case "throughout the year." But he will continue to take suggestions from quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus and offensive line coach Eric Wolford.

Take a bow

This will be the final home game for nine seniors, including Spurrier's son Scotty. The former walk-on, who was awarded a scholarship before the season, serves as the backup holder.

"Scotty understands his position, which is wonderful," Spurrier said. "Like I've told our team, I appreciate the players that know they are not going to play much at all and do a good job in practice for us and help out any way they can."

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.

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