Thoughts on the opener?

Yes but not many thoughts. SC has just as many question marks as we do. New (but experienced) qb, several new starters on the d line. Harder to keep up living in Texas as opposed to sc.

Their offensive line returns four starters, Mike Davis is a solid back, and Thompson can move the football. Not to mention Shaq Roland as a deep threat. Defensively is where I'm curious about them. It's going to be a heck of a challenge. On the flip side, I think we do have a chance of going in and surprising a lot of folks. It's just one of those matchups where one team doesn't know a lot about the other.

This is one thing I'm not a fan of about the sec. Just like with the Florida game (granted it wasn't supposed to be our first game that year) look at what that game cost us by not getting a warm up rep game in. One could argue it cost us a chance at the nat'l title. I know you have to be ready to play from the first snap but conference games out of the gate are a bad idea IMHO. At least a big name ooc game that you come out flat in can be recovered if you perform in conference.

[This message has been edited by Waco_aggie05 (edited 4/13/2014 11:05a).]

I live in SC and I can say without a doubt we are on their minds. If I wear Aggie gear around, people will speak to me. Whether its a factor of still being new or their first opponent in football I can't really tell, but most of the talk also stems from jff. The local sports radio show also seems to go out if their way to comment about all of the other A&M sports. Frankly, I love it and i can't wait for football season.

[This message has been edited by Postal (edited 4/14/2014 8:52p).]

Watching their spring game they look about how I would expect. The defense is limited but does not look too impressive. So is Davis in the running game. Thompson looks solid but not world beater status.

Finebaum was one, and, as everyone else will say, likes Carolina in the game. Not only that but one of the guys on CFL earlier picked us 5/6 in the West. I find it laughable that all people do is look at what a team is losing from the previous year and what they were like the previous year to make a prediction for next year without actually trying to account for recruiting, replacements, off season training, etc.

Proud owner of Gamecock and Aggie rings. Just returned from a weekend trip to Columbia, SC. Right now, Carolina is a 9 point favorite. Most Gamecock fans are predicting a double digit win. Both teams have a lot of question marks -- both lost their best QB ever, I'd give us an edge at running back (Davis is the best, but we have the next best 2-3 RBs, both teams lost good WRs, Carolina returns a more veteran OL, Carolina lost two All-Americans on defense, but the rest are solid and ours was a joke. Thursday night game, crowd will be a factor. We don't even know who will QB our team, and their QB has taken quality snaps. I'll be at the game, and if you're going, expect a great experience. The tailgating is unlike anything you've ever seen.

Anyone know the best way to get a ticket to the game?

I know SC is likely to start some pretty young/inexperienced players at corner. Possibly true fish. That's bad news for them, IMO.

On the other hand, their running game scares me until we prove we can defend it better than last year.

I have no feel for this game. Both teams lost a lot from last year. I have seen Gamecock fans claim the game will be an easy double digit win for them. Perhaps, but I try to remind them that Kevin Sumlin is still our coach, and I believe it is Sumlin who is most responsible for the success we have had over the last two years. That is not to knock the players, but it was Sumlin who put his system in place and got all those players to buy in.

9 points seems a bit high for a line on a game involving teams with so many unknowns. The Ags may just surprise the old ball coach and company.