One of the funniest internet monikers around belongs to The Cool Chicken, who made a quick instaconversion from the leagues of Spurrier-hating SEC fans to initiate in the cult of the Ol' Ball Coach when Spurrier was announced as the new head man at South Carolina. Mr. Chicken joins us today for a quick convo about the game, mustard-based BBQ sauce, and why "You Can't Lick Our Cocks!" is NOT the best pun on the school's nickname he's ever heard.
OS: Tell us why you stand a chance in the game against Florida on Saturday...without using He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's name.
CC: Momentum, attitude and talent. This year has been unlike any other in Gamecock history. Not necessarily in terms of wins and losses but in terms of character. Carolina teams of the past were ready to quit when the ball bounced the wrong way. With the exception of the Auburn and Bama game, I have watched the Gamecocks play with a ton of heart and passion. I have noticed a swagger that has been missing for sometime. They think they can win in any given situation. Vandy scores on us with little time left... the team takes the field with a "Nice shot... now try and stop us!" attitude and drives down the field to score the winning touchdown. It is nice to see that and I think it is magnified by the teams underrated talent. Do not let the naysayers fool you there is plenty of talent on this team. It is jus 1.) Momentum, attitude and talent. This year has been unlike any other in Gamecock history. Not necessarily in terms of wins and losses but in terms of character. Carolina teams of the past were ready to quit when the ball bounced the wrong way. With the exception of the Auburn and Bama game, I have watched the Gamecocks play with a ton of heart and passion. I have noticed a swagger that has been missing for sometime. They think they can win in any given situation. Vandy scores on us with little time left... the team takes the field with a "Nice shot... now try and stop us!" attitude and drives down the field to score the winning touchdown. It is nice to see that and I think it is magnified by the teams underrated talent. Do not let the naysayers fool you there is plenty of talent on this team. It is just young talent.
OS: Tell us the offensive player who scares you the most on the Florida side.
CC: Easy question to answer Leak. Leak is one hell of a QB who can turn it on at almost any time and when he does there is almost no stopping him. He is an amazing talent to watch.
OS: Tell us the defensive player who scares you the most on the Florida side.
CC: Well, it was Brown but he went down. So, I am going to go with a guy that I think deserves way more credit than he gets: Reggie Nelson. He plays and hits hard. He also has a knack for the ball. I think Webb is also underrated because of the attention Brown got.
OS: What's your favorite t-shirt/sign/etc. you've seen using the Cocks name in a bad pun?
CC: I saw one recently addressed to Peta (who is giving Carolina a hard time about our mascot) that said "Hey Peta get off our cocks." There is the classic "You can't lick our cocks." But my favorite is "Carolina Girls love Cocks."
OS: Who's Carolina's surprise player this year?
CC: It is a toss up between Blake Mitchell and Sidney Rice. I expected big things out of Mitchell when he was recruited but after his disastrous debut last year I really doubted the kid. This year, he has been nothing short of phenomenal given the circumstances he was dropped in to. New scheme, high pressure coach, high pressure games and all in his first true season. Aside from his ability to get the ball where it needs to be... I am also very impressed with his toughness. The guy has taken massive shots this year and continues to get up. I think the Auburn game is much different if he plays. And then Sidney Rice. Here is another example of the change at Carolina. In the past, a player like Sidney would have imploded by now. There is a long list of players who had tons of potential but failed to turn it in to a tangible weapon on offense. Watson and Summers just to name two. Sidney has scored a TD in every game he has played in and he leads the conference in TDS and yards. Yet, he doesn't lead the conference in number of receptions. That means that when he touches the ball... it counts. In addition, he doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
OS: Does John Thompson's "bucket of minnows" defense drive you insane like it did for us?
CC: In short yes. I am very happy that Tyrone Nix now has the chief play calling duties.
OS: Does everyone in SC use the mustard-based sauce on barbecue? Or is that a regional thing?
CC: It is a regional thing. But, I do want to point out that Coach has his own bbq sauce. You can check it out here: http://www.brittonsofcolumbia.com/cart/description.php?II=1&cat=1 Notice it says not to be used on poultry.
OS: If your team had to come out to something other than "2001," what song would you pick?
CC: Fuel by Metallica. Yeah. Honestly, I can't see The Gamecocks coming out to anything other than 2001. I guess I am programmed.
OS: How long do your really think you have with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named as HBC?
CC: I think Darth Visor one will be here for at least 5 to 6 years of his contract. However, I do expect Darth Jr (or shall I say "Luke Spurwalker") to be here longer than that.
OS: Predictions, please.
CC: Back before the season began I predicted Florida to win this game by a score of 28 to 21. Now, I am no where near as confident in that pick as I was then. At this point, I think it could go either way but I am leaning towards a Gamecock upset in a very close game. I know the immediate reaction is going to be "he is gamecock biased" but I honestly think I would pick the same way if I weren't a Gamecock fan. I picked against my team in the Tennessee game and they proved me wrong. I am going to have faith in them this time. I say the Gamecocks win 13 to 10.