Good step for USC

As ragged as the Gamecocks were in the first half of their 38-21 win over Mississippi State on Saturday, they were able to turn things around in the second half, committing just two penalties.
A lot of people expected this to be a blowout, and the 17-point final margin will no doubt look impressive to some poll voters who might not have seen Saturday's game. It was really much closer than many USC fans would have liked. But wins are wins, and any victory in the rough-and-tumble SEC is a good one for any team.
The fact that South Carolina found a way to win when things weren't exactly clicking on offense and when the defense was starting to look like it might wilt should give the Gamecocks and their fans even more hope that things are beginning to change in Columbia. It's the sign of a pretty good team when special teams can come up with a big play like Eric Norwood's blocked punt that set up the Gamecocks' go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter. After that, the game was pretty much over.
And most importantly, the Gamecocks avoided an upset that would have put them in a more difficult position to stay in the SEC East race. It was the type of game they used to find a way to lose.
Now, USC has a short week to prepare for a 5-0 Kentucky team that comes in on a roll. Thursday night games are often lackadaisical in nature, but things should be rocking here at Williams-Brice later this week.

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