Rumors are saying that South Carolina and Nebraska are scheduled to debut the 2011 season in Atlanta's Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game, according to the College Football Times blog.
The Gamecocks 2011 schedule has been finalized but the school could possibly make changes if they are interested in competition against Bo Pelini's Big Red.
Steve Spurrier's squad is slated to a five-game series with East Carolina beginning on the date of September 3rd, 2011 at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. Other opponents in 2011 include Navy, The Citadel, and Clemson.
If South Carolina is to play Nebraska, it's best bet would be to drop or reschedule the Citadel or Navy contest and re-schedule the East Carolina game.
A good reason South Carolina would disagree to play Nebraska is that it already plays in the tough SEC, against opponents such as Florida and Alabama.
If the game goes through, it would be a good test for the Cornhuskers, who are moving to the Big Ten Conference in 2011.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

Rumors are saying that South Carolina and Nebraska are scheduled to debut the 2011 season in Atlanta's Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game, according to the College Football Times blog.
The Gamecocks 2011 schedule has been finalized, but the school could possibly make changes if they are interested in competition against Bo Pelini's Big Red.
Steve Spurrier's squad is slated to a five-game series with East Carolina beginning on the date of September 3rd, 2011 at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. Other opponents in 2011 include Navy, The Citadel, and Clemson.
If South Carolina is to play Nebraska, it's best bet would be to drop or reschedule the Citadel or Navy contest and re-schedule the East Carolina game.
A good reason South Carolina would disagree to play Nebraska is that it already plays in the tough SEC, against opponents such as Florida and Alabama.
If the game goes through, it would be a good test for the Cornhuskers, who are moving to the Big Ten Conference in 2011.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

Conference expansion is coming for the third time since the 1990's, and insiders and fans expect it to be the biggest move in history for the Bowl Championship Subdivision of College Football.
Nobody knows when it is coming, but Big 10 Bosses have hired a financial firm that will help determine the deciding factors that could choose the best fit universities to expand the Big 10 to twelve teams or beyond.
If enough dominoes fall, then AD Eric Hyman must choose the fate of the city favorite college of Columbia, South Carolina. What will he decide? To make up my mind, let’s look at some history.
As early as 1922, the Gamecocks joined the Southern Conference , which formed from the roots of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association . A meeting was held on February 25, 1921 in Atlanta, Georgia. 14 member schools split from the SIAA in 1921, while USC joined the conference in 1922.
23 member schools made up the conference from 1922-1953. 13 members split from the SOCON in 1933, forming the SEC. In 1953, South Carolina Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest formed the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Gamecocks would not accomplish much in the ACC from a football standpoint, only winning two ACC Championships. The 1969 Carolina squad went 7-4 and was undefeated in conference play. The 1971 ACC title was taken away due to an ineligible player. The Gamecocks almost were invited to the Orange Bowl in 1956, but the bid did not come. Overall, the Gamecocks were mediocre at best.
In basketball, South Carolina was another story. Coach Frank McGuire led the Gamecock Ballers to an undefeated 1970 ACC season, along with an ACC Tournament Championship in 71'. Carolina qualified for three straight Sweet 16 appearances from 71-73.'
Hostility of road crowds on "Tobacco Road" in North Carolina and unfair economic treatment prompted South Carolina to become an Independent after 1971.
While operating as an independent in earlier years, the Gamecocks would see Jim Carlen and Joe Morrison reach new heights.
The Gamecocks reached six bowl games and saw six teams with eight wins or more. South Carolina finished 1984 10-2 and ranked 11th in the nation. Joe's teams were called "Fire Ants and Black Magic" due to the swarming defense wearing black jerseys
Coach Morrison died in 1989 and so did the Gamecocks.
After many tough seasons as an independent, the Gamecocks joined the SEC in 1991. Although it is a challenging conference, South Carolina has fielded a consistent football program under Brad Scott, Lou Holtz, and Steve Spurrier.
 
 
ACC-Pros
·         The South Carolina Gamecocks are from the roots of the ACC, with natural rivals such as arch-rival Clemson and former nemesis North Carolina.
·          The Gamecocks would have a better shot at playing in the conference championship game in a weaker conference.
·          The ACC Championship Game is in Charlotte, which is in close proximity to Columbia.
ACC-Cons
·         Basketball would be a tough shot in the ACC. Making the NCAA Tournament would be harder with teams such as North Carolina and Duke crowding the standings.
·         The Gamecocks could gradually become worse- they did not do much in the ACC in those days.
·         Football is not as seriously taken in the ACC. South Carolina would be looked down upon by former SEC rivals.
·         South Carolina could lose money and recruits by re-joining the ACC to fellow SEC rivals.
·         It is a step down- Clemson dreams of joining the SEC one day.
SEC-Pros
·         South Carolina is pulling in millions of dollars in the SEC.
·         It's South Carolina's identity- The Gamecocks have been playing in the SEC for 18 years
·         The Gamecocks' natural rivals are Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee- not North Carolina or Duke
·         South Carolina runs circles around Clemson in revenue- by millions
·         Steve Spurrier is an SEC man. He wants an SEC Championship with the Gamecocks before he retires.
·         The recruits came to be winners in the SEC
·         Better bowl games
·         More fanfare in the SEC
·         Tougher schedules bring more BCS Bids
SEC-Cons
·         It would be interesting to play in the same conference as Clemson, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Miami, or North Carolina-all good football teams
 
Prediction: The Gamecocks will stay in the SEC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

When he came to Columbia, South Carolina, to be USC's (that other USC) new head football coach, Joe Morrison was the next great thing; a new hot coaching prospect.
Toiling for three years at the University of New Mexico, Morrison had led the Lobos to a 10-1 record in 1982.
And so it was, as it always is, that he climbed a ladder and was hired to coach the Gamecocks in 1983.
Joe Morrison played professional football for the New York Giants. As a running back and wide receiver, he set receiving records and had his number 40 retired by the team.
As South Carolina's coach, he introduced a number of traditions that still are incorporated by the team today.
The Gamecocks take the field on game day to the sound of Also Sprach Zaratustra, a  tradition still regarded today as one of the great entrances in college football.
That was a Morrison dramatic flourish.
He also ushered in the 1984 Black Magic Year as the Gamecocks' football success matched the all black attire Morrison became famous for. Additionally, black was added to the South Carolina football jersey repertoire. 
He could coach and play the haberdasher too.
But something blacker loomed on the not too distant horizon and perhaps, seemed a terrible omen for USC's touch with success.
Talking over the years with a friend and Carolina alum, I couldn't help but notice the yearly sense of resignation in his voice whenever his alma mater gets themselves on any sort of run.
"You know," he'd tell me. "We always seem to almost get there. Almost get over the hump. And then, wham! We come crashing back to earth. Reminds me of the Morrison era."
That era would end abruptly in 1989.
At the age of 51, South Carolina's Man in Black, Head Football Coach Joe Morrison would collapse after playing racket ball and die of a heart attack.
And even with the passing of the years, there are still those Gamecocks that consider him to be the school's greatest football coach.
 
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

When he came to Columbia, South Carolina, to be USC's (that other USC) new head football coach, Joe Morrison was the next great thing; a new hot coaching prospect.
Toiling for three years at the University of New Mexico, Morrison had led the Lobos to a 10-1 record in 1982.
And so it was, as it always is, that he climbed a ladder and was hired to coach the Gamecocks in 1983.
Joe Morrison played professional football for the New York Giants. As a running back and wide receiver, he set receiving records and had his number 40 retired by the team.
As South Carolina's coach, he introduced a number of traditions that still are incorporated by the team today.
The Gamecocks take the field on game day to the sound of Also Sprach Zaratustra, a  tradition still regarded today as one of the great entrances in college football.
That was a Morrison dramatic flourish.
He also ushered in the 1984 Black Magic Year as the Gamecocks' football success matched the all black attire Morrison became famous for. Additionally, black was added to the South Carolina football jersey repertoire. 
He could coach and play the haberdasher too.
But something blacker loomed on the not too distant horizon and perhaps, seemed a terrible omen for USC's touch with success.
Talking over the years with a friend and Carolina alum, I couldn't help but notice the yearly sense of resignation in his voice whenever his alma mater gets themselves on any sort of run.
"You know," he'd tell me. "We always seem to almost get there. Almost get over the hump. And then, wham! We come crashing back to earth. Reminds me of the Morrison era."
That era would end abruptly in 1989.
At the age of 51, South Carolina's Man in Black, Head Football Coach Joe Morrison would collapse after playing racket ball and die of a heart attack.
And even with the passing of the years, there are still those Gamecocks who consider him to be the school's greatest football coach.
 
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

I wrote the story about Marcus Lattimore, making my points that recruits should stay in-state if given the choice. The closer to home, the more parents can be involved.  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/330742-marcus-lattimore-big-decision-auburn-or-south-carolina
I had never written about a recruit before, but something pushed me to single him out.  I knew also what he would do for his home state if he chose the Gamecocks. I also knew Auburn’s rich history of putting running backs in the NFL.
I wrote a story, talked about it on a couple of sports radio programs, and uploaded my interviews to YouTube. My story and videos got a lot of traffic and comments, both positive and negative.
One night, the phone rang. “This is Marcus Lattimore’s step father. Can I talk to you about your article?”
Marcus is the top running back recruit in the country. Every major college wanted him, and coaches were calling around the clock. The family had issued a freeze for the media, but the coaches were still calling.
Even the teams that had been eliminated were still calling Marcus, his Mom, his step dad, and his sister.
I found myself in the late hours of the night talking to a father, not as a sports writer, but as a father. He said he had seen my videos and he felt he could trust me, and that I would shoot him straight. 
I knew both schools well. The next few hours, two fathers discussed all the positives and negatives of two great schools—Auburn and South Carolina.
My article had resonated with the step-father. My videos touched him and Marcus. A lot hung in the balance. Marcus’ decision would greatly impact two coach's careers. 
Steve Spurrier would have been criticized for losing an in-state star. For Gene Chizik, signing Marcus could move his class to No. 1 in the country.
Over the next few days, both coaches came and went for their last home visits. The father would again call me and talk about the experience. Sometimes we talked football, other times we just talked .
On Sunday, he invited me to come down and spend Monday with the family, the same day Marcus would be announcing his school of choice. I knew having some time with a big recruit would be memorable.
When I arrived in Duncan, South Carolina, I knew two fan bases were dying to know which path Marcus would take. I found a house full of trophies and memories of a loving family.
Two hours before the announcement, Marcus was cool and calm. He played a game on Playstation. 
I asked if he was playing South Carolina vs Auburn and and the winner would be his choice. He just laughed. A great, humble guy, but a competitor who has big dreams. I knew he had a great future.
We joined hands in the middle of the living room for prayer. I prayed for this family and Marcus, and that every step forward would be successful. We went to the church, which was half full two hours before the announcement. 
So people ask me, why did Marcus go to South Carolina? Marcus told me every time he went to Columbia, he really enjoyed his time there. It just felt right.
Secondly, Steve Spurrier and staff worked very hard to have a relationship with his entire family. The entire family had to be in agreement on this one.
And finally, Stephen Davis told Marcus that he loved playing at Auburn, but his only regret was his family and friends didn’t get to share it with him in person.
His reasons confirmed why I wrote the story.
Until next time, I will see you on the ball field.
 
Jay Holgate is a sports writer and motivational speaker talking about SEC football.  Jay is listed with www.FootballSpeakers.com
 
Here is my link to the Marcus Lattimore announcement taped from my camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY_Meczd-18
 <center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

I wrote the story about Marcus Lattimore, making my points that recruits should stay in-state if given the choice. The closer to home, the more parents can be involved.  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/330742-marcus-lattimore-big-decision-auburn-or-south-carolina
I had never written about a recruit before, but something pushed me to single him out.  I knew what he would do for his home state if he chose the Gamecocks. I also knew Auburn’s rich history of putting running backs in the NFL.
I wrote a story, talked about it on a couple of sports radio programs, and uploaded my interviews to YouTube. My story and videos got a lot of traffic and comments, both positive and negative.
One night, the phone rang. “This is Marcus Lattimore’s step father. Can I talk to you about your article?”
Marcus is the top running back recruit in the country. Every major college wanted him, and coaches were calling around the clock. The family had issued a freeze for the media, but the coaches were still calling.
Even the teams that had been eliminated were still calling Marcus, his Mom, his step dad, and his sister.
I found myself in the late hours of the night talking to a father, not as a sports writer, but as a father. He said he had seen my videos and he felt he could trust me, and that I would shoot him straight. 
I knew both schools well. The next few hours, two fathers discussed all the positives and negatives of two great schools—Auburn and South Carolina.
My article had resonated with the step-father. My videos touched him and Marcus. A lot hung in the balance. Marcus’ decision would greatly impact two coach's careers. 
Steve Spurrier would have been criticized for losing an in-state star. For Gene Chizik, signing Marcus could move his class to No. 1 in the country.
Over the next few days, both coaches came and went for their last home visits. The father would again call me and talk about the experience. Sometimes we talked football, other times we just talked.
On Sunday, he invited me to come down and spend Monday with the family, the same day Marcus would be announcing his school of choice. I knew having some time with a big recruit would be memorable.
When I arrived in Duncan, South Carolina, I knew two fan bases were dying to know which path Marcus would take. I found a house full of trophies and memories of a loving family.
Two hours before the announcement, Marcus was cool and calm. He played a game on Playstation. 
I asked if he was playing South Carolina vs Auburn and and the winner would be his choice. He just laughed. A great, humble guy, but a competitor who has big dreams. I knew he had a great future.
We joined hands in the middle of the living room for prayer. I prayed for this family and Marcus, and that every step forward would be successful. We went to the church, which was half full two hours before the announcement. 
So people ask me, why did Marcus go to South Carolina? Marcus told me every time he went to Columbia, he really enjoyed his time there. It just felt right.
Secondly, Steve Spurrier and staff worked very hard to have a relationship with his entire family. The entire family had to be in agreement on this one.
And finally, Stephen Davis told Marcus that he loved playing at Auburn, but his only regret was his family and friends didn’t get to share it with him in person.
His reasons confirmed why I wrote the story.
Until next time, I will see you on the ball field.
 
Jay Holgate is a sports writer and motivational speaker talking about SEC football.  Jay is listed with www.FootballSpeakers.com
 
Here is my link to the Marcus Lattimore announcement taped from my camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY_Meczd-18
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com