The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles travel to Columbia Thursday 
night to open up the college football season against the South Carolina 
Gamecocks, entering the game without a clear idea of exactly what and 
who they will be up against.  Pending an NCAA ruling on an ongoing 
investigation, the Gamecocks could be without a couple of key defensive 
players for the matchup.  Also, standout tight end Wesley Saunders 
could be suspended for the game as well for disciplinary reasons, and 
linebacker Shaq Wilson may or may not be healthy enough to play.  Of 
course, all said players could end up on the field, which would come as 
no surprise as Steve Spurrier will not exactly disclose any information 
whatsoever. That includes who he plans to start at quarterback, 
although I think we all know who it will be.  With all of that aside, 
lets look at what we do know about the matchup.
     Southern Miss will bring a potent offense into the game, led by 
quarterback Austin Davis and receiver DeAndre Brown.  For the Golden 
Eagles to be successful on offense, they must get some help from a 
talented yet unproven backfield.  However an experienced but much 
maligned defense will be the real key to the game for Southern Miss.  
Mobile quarterbacks feasted on the Golden Eagle defense last year, and 
Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia is a mobile quarterback who can 
hurt you with his feet.  He also has a talented receiving corp as the 
two offenses are very similar.  The Gamecock defense has the usual 
talent and experience, especially in the secondary, to hopefully combat 
the Southern Miss passing attack.
     The bottom line will depend a lot on who does and/or does not suit 
up for the Gamecocks Thursday night.  Southern Miss has enough talent 
to pull off the upset, but can Coach Fedora and his troops accomplish 
the task?  Past history would say no, but the Golden Eagles haven't 
been taken to the woodshed in Fedora's two seasons, with a 14 point 
loss at Auburn in his second game as coach and a 17 point loss to Boise 
State later that year his two worst losses (point differential) as 
coach.  The Gamecocks have typically started strong in the Spurrier 
era, and they are generally a tough out at home.  Despite the 
distractions,  I see the Gamecocks clawing this one out.
 
South Carolina 27, Southern Miss 23