COLUMBIA (WACH) - It's just one week into the 2011 college football season and already a local newspaper is calling Saturday's South Carolina-Georgia game the biggest in Gamecock history.
The Daily Gamecock says USC could be shut out of the SEC Championship game with a loss to Georgia, even if they win the rest of their games.
"I think they'll be a team that goes to Atlanta (to play in the SEC Championship Game)," East Carolina Coach Ruffin McNeill said to the paper. "History shows that the last five national champions [come] from that game."
McNeill's Pirates blew a 17 point lead and lost to the Gamecocks in the season opener for both teams last Saturday.
James Kratch, Sports Editor for the Daily Gamecock, says in order to prove McNeill right, a win for the Gamecocks this weekend is a must.
"A victory is the gateway to the type of season USC dreams of. A loss all but crushes those hopes," Kratch says.
Gamecock Head Coach Steve Spurrier addressed expectations at Tuesday's weekly press conference.
"We don't look at being favored. We're trying to play the game better than last week," Spurrier stated.
"I hope all of our players realize Georgia is in our division," he added.
What do you think of the importance the paper has placed on this weekend's game? Leave a comment below to weigh in.
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