USC should be wary

Greetings from Williams-Brice Stadium. It's about 45 minutes or so before kickoff, and there is a pervasive sentiment in the press box here that this could be a dangerous game for South Carolina.
USC comes in with a change at starting quarterback and without the services of all-SEC linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who is lost for the season with a knee injury. And Gamecock coach Steve Spurrier hasn't been too pleased with his team's preparation this week and has been admittedly a little uneasy about how his team will perform today. Add to that an improving Mississippi State team that's trying to improve its standing in the Southeastern Conference, and it's easy to see why this game might have a few folks in the USC camp a little worried.
Even without Brinkley and with redshirt freshman Chris Smelley making his second start behind center, the Gamecocks should win this game if they come out focused on the task at hand.
Still, it was one thing when Lou Holtz used to say how worried he was his team wouldn't play well. With Holtz's track record for poor-mouthing, it was easy to let that stuff go in one ear and out the other. Spurrier, though, rarely says something he doesn't mean.
Should be interesting. Check back after halftime for an update.

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