Just spoke with Outback Bowl president Jim McVay, who called me back after taking a call from the SEC office.
Despite their two-game slide, McVay has not cooled on the Gamecocks.
“It was a tough game on Saturday. … That’s football,” McVay said. “Does that impact our thoughts about South Carolina? Not at all.”
McVay would not confirm that the Gamecocks are Tampa-bound, saying LSU is also in the mix. But given the Outback’s history of taking SEC East teams, I’m betting the Gamecocks will be gearing up to stop Iowa tailback Shonn Greene on New Year’s Day morning in Tampa.
But McVay was curious whether USC fans had cooled on the Gamecocks following the 50-point dismantling by Florida and 17-loss to Clemson.
So I’ll put the question on the floor: How willing would you be to load up the minivan [nonparents can insert cooler mode of transportation here] and head to Tampa to watch the Gamecocks try to win their Outback Bowl trophy?
And if you would go, how long would you stay?

Just spoke with Outback Bowl president Jim McVay, who called me back after taking a call from the SEC office.
Despite their two-game slide, McVay has not cooled on the Gamecocks.
“It was a tough game on Saturday. … That’s football,” McVay said. “Does that impact our thoughts about South Carolina? Not at all.”
McVay would not confirm that the Gamecocks are Tampa-bound, saying LSU is also in the mix. But given the Outback’s history of taking SEC East teams, I’m betting the Gamecocks will be gearing up to stop Iowa tailback Shonn Greene on New Year’s Day morning in Tampa.
But McVay was curious whether USC fans had cooled on the Gamecocks following the 50-point dismantling by Florida and 17-loss to Clemson.
So I’ll put the question on the floor: How willing would you be to load up the minivan [nonparents can insert cooler mode of transportation here] and head to Tampa to watch the Gamecocks try to win their Outback Bowl trophy?
And if you would go, how long would you stay?

South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier questioned whether new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin broke an NCAA rule when he called a recruit a day before he was introduced as the Volunteers’ new coach.
According to a story published on VolQuest.com, part of the Rivals’ network, Kiffin and former Gamecocks recruiting coordinator David Reaves called Tampa running back Jarvis Giles on Sunday and left him voice messages.
The NCAA requires coaches to pass a certification test before they can contact recruits.
“You’re supposed to have passed the NCAA test and be on board, I think. But maybe he was just calling him as an interested observer,” Spurrier said today, laughing. “I don’t know. But technically to be able to recruit you’re supposed to pass the NCAA test.
“I know when I was hired, after the press conference I took the test to qualify you to be a recruiter. I hadn’t taken it in three or four years. At that time I could start making calls. I don’t know if he was permitted to make that call or not. You’ll have to ask somebody else.”
Tennessee spokesman Bud Ford said Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders coach, signed his contract with Tennessee on Saturday. Ford was uncertain whether Kiffin had taken the NCAA test.
Tennessee is introducing the 33-year-old Kiffin at an afternoon news conference.
Reaves, who is Kiffin’s brother-in-law, resigned from USC on Sunday to become Tennessee’s quarterbacks coach. Reaves had recruited Giles for the Gamecocks.
Giles committed to the Volunteers before Phillip Fulmer’s resignation, and was thought to be down to USC and Nebraska as his final choices.

South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier questioned whether new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin broke an NCAA rule when he called a recruit a day before he was introduced as the Volunteers’ new coach.
According to a story published on VolQuest.com, part of the Rivals’ network, Kiffin and former Gamecocks recruiting coordinator David Reaves called Tampa running back Jarvis Giles on Sunday and left him voice messages.
The NCAA requires coaches to pass a certification test before they can contact recruits.
“You’re supposed to have passed the NCAA test and be on board, I think. But maybe he was just calling him as an interested observer,” Spurrier said today, laughing. “I don’t know. But technically to be able to recruit you’re supposed to pass the NCAA test.
“I know when I was hired, after the press conference I took the test to qualify you to be a recruiter. I hadn’t taken it in three or four years. At that time I could start making calls. I don’t know if he was permitted to make that call or not. You’ll have to ask somebody else.”
Tennessee spokesman Bud Ford said Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders coach, signed his contract with Tennessee on Saturday. Ford was uncertain whether Kiffin had taken the NCAA test.
Tennessee is introducing the 33-year-old Kiffin at an afternoon news conference.
Reaves, who is Kiffin’s brother-in-law, resigned from USC on Sunday to become Tennessee’s quarterbacks coach. Reaves had recruited Giles for the Gamecocks.
Giles committed to the Volunteers before Phillip Fulmer’s resignation, and was thought to be down to USC and Nebraska as his final choices.

South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier questioned whether new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin broke an NCAA rule when he called a recruit a day before he was introduced as the Volunteers’ new coach.
According to a story published on VolQuest.com, part of the Rivals’ network, Kiffin and former Gamecocks recruiting coordinator David Reaves called Tampa running back Jarvis Giles on Sunday and left him voice messages.
The NCAA requires coaches to pass a certification test before they can contact recruits.
“You’re supposed to have passed the NCAA test and be on board, I think. But maybe he was just calling him as an interested observer,” Spurrier said today, laughing. “I don’t know. But technically to be able to recruit you’re supposed to pass the NCAA test.
“I know when I was hired, after the press conference I took the test to qualify you to be a recruiter. I hadn’t taken it in three or four years. At that time I could start making calls. I don’t know if he was permitted to make that call or not. You’ll have to ask somebody else.”
Tennessee spokesman Bud Ford said Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders coach, signed his contract with Tennessee on Saturday. Ford was uncertain whether Kiffin had taken the NCAA test.
Tennessee is introducing the 33-year-old Kiffin at an afternoon news conference.
Reaves, who is Kiffin’s brother-in-law, resigned from USC on Sunday to become Tennessee’s quarterbacks coach. Reaves had recruited Giles for the Gamecocks.
Giles committed to the Volunteers before Phillip Fulmer’s resignation, and was thought to be down to USC and Nebraska as his final choices.

UPDATE: Kiffin said during his introductory press conference Monday that he took the NCAA test last week.
South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier questioned whether new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin broke an NCAA rule when he called a recruit a day before he was introduced as the Volunteers’ new coach.
According to a story published on VolQuest.com, part of the Rivals’ network, Kiffin and former Gamecocks recruiting coordinator David Reaves called Tampa running back Jarvis Giles on Sunday and left him voice messages.
The NCAA requires coaches to pass a certification test before they can contact recruits.
“You’re supposed to have passed the NCAA test and be on board, I think. But maybe he was just calling him as an interested observer,” Spurrier said today, laughing. “I don’t know. But technically to be able to recruit you’re supposed to pass the NCAA test.
“I know when I was hired, after the press conference I took the test to qualify you to be a recruiter. I hadn’t taken it in three or four years. At that time I could start making calls. I don’t know if he was permitted to make that call or not. You’ll have to ask somebody else.”
Tennessee spokesman Bud Ford said Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders coach, signed his contract with Tennessee on Saturday. Ford was uncertain whether Kiffin had taken the NCAA test.
Tennessee is introducing the 33-year-old Kiffin at an afternoon news conference.
Reaves, who is Kiffin’s brother-in-law, resigned from USC on Sunday to become Tennessee’s quarterbacks coach. Reaves had recruited Giles for the Gamecocks.
Giles committed to the Volunteers before Phillip Fulmer’s resignation, and was thought to be down to USC and Nebraska as his final choices.

Despite an extremely disappointing finish, the Gamecocks still might play in a New Year's Day bowl game.
South Carolina (7-5, 4-4 SEC) closed another unfulfilling season with a 56-6 loss to Florida followed by a 31-14 defeat at Clemson.
But because the SEC is top-heavy—Alabama and Florida are destined for the BCS—South Carolina could land a berth in the Outback Bowl.
The Outback appears likely to be choosing from South Carolina, Kentucky, LSU and Vanderbilt. (Georgia and Ole Miss would be snatched by the Capital One and Cotton bowls.)
One thing working in the Gamecocks' favor is how well they travel.
"We'll go wherever they send us," coach Steve Spurrier told The State newspaper.

University of South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier announced today that two of his assistants are no longer members of the Gamecock coaching staff.

John Hunt has been fired as offensive line coach at South Carolina, while quarterbacks coach David Reaves has resigned. The school announced the moves Sunday night. Hunt has been on the South Carolina staff for the past four seasons, and worked for head coach Steve Spurrier since 1999 at Florida and the Washington Redskins before moving with Spurrier to Columbia.

Redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia has been tabbed as the starter at quarterback for the Gamecocks' bowl game, South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier announced today.