It is official, the South Carolina football team is a Top 10 team. The Gamecocks have finished in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for only the second time in school history. The Gamecocks (11-2) were ranked No. 8 in the country in the final AP poll of the year and finished ranked No. 7 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll.

When we heard the news, this was our reaction:

So you have seen the PIC and the GIF of "the hit," and now here is another view of South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney blowing up the Michigan player:

So you have seen the pic of South Carolina laying the wood, here is the GIF -

Jadeveon Clowney laying the wood. No words, just a image.

and

As they say -> big time players, make big time plays in big time games.

South Carolina rallied late in the 4th quarter to win the 2013 Outback Bowl 33-28.  The Gamecocks scored with 11 seconds left to take the lead for good.  Overall, the game was uneven.  There were very bright spots and puzzling shortcomings.

Over the last three years South Carolina has created a formula for success.  Generally speaking, the defense plays well; the running game is effective, and the offense controls the clock.  That wasn't exactly the formula Carolina used today.

Usually, the running game is productive.  Today it wasn't.  USC finished with 85 yards on 17 carries.  One Connor Shaw run covered 64 yards.  The other 16 carries amassed 21 yards.  That isn't a common way to succeed.

Usually, South Carolina controls the clock, like they did against Clemson.  Michigan controlled the clock today.  Through three quarters the Wolverines held the ball for 31:28.  Rather than wearing the opponent's defense down, the Gamecocks defense was in danger of being worn down.

New Year's Eve & Day is always one of my favorite holiday's as it combines three of my favorite things: college football, drinking and a day off from work.  Here is a rundown of bowl games for today and tomorrow, and my thoughts.....  

Music City Bowl:  Vandy vs. NC State

James Franklin will have his commodores' ready to play in front of a home crowd in Nashville.  NC State had one good win over FSU, but never really did much after that.  TOB is gone, and so is the Wolf pack.   Vandy wins a bowl game to finish off one of their best seasons ever.  

Vandy 21 NC State 17 in a defensive battle.  The difference will be Vandy shutting down NC State's passing game.  

Sun Bowl: GT vs. USC 

El Paso is a great place to spend the New Year!  Not if you are GT or Southern Cal.  Southern Cal will be without Senior QB Matt Barkley, but that won't really matter.  GT might run the triple option, but they lost to Middle Tennessee State and I can't show much respect.  Southern Cal in a blow out. 

Liberty Bowl: Iowa State vs. Tulsa 

In a rematch from week 1, this game is on the do not care list.  I think Tulsa is coming off a C-USA championship and will give the Cyclones everything they can handle.  Tulsa by 7.  

More...

University of Michigan 

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Students: 42,716 (Undergrads 27,407)

2012 Record: 8-4 overall, 6-2 Big 10

Head Coach: Brady Hoke  (2nd season as head coach 19-6 record)

All-time record vs. USC: 1-1 with last meeting in 1985

Outback Bowl record: 3-1, first trip since 2003 (Michigan 38 Florida 30)

For the second year in a row, USC will take on a Big 10 team on New Year's Day.  Last year, the Gamecocks had plenty of success against Nebraska in Orlando and this year, the Gamecocks will look to do the same against Michigan in Tampa.  If the Gamecocks can pull off the victory they will make history by having back-to-back 11 win seasons.  

This will be the third time in school history that the Gamecocks and Wolverines will meet on the football field but this is the first time in a bowl game. Michigan has the most all-time wins in NCAA BCS division with 903 victories and USC is looking to deny their next.

Here is a preview of the game...

South Carolina football will take on Michigan in the Outback Bowl on New Years Day. Kick off is scheduled for 1pm and the game will be televised on ESPN. Both teams want this win for their programs as getting that bowl win helps the mood of the program in the off-season but also gives a boost to recruiting.

For USC, they must treat their trip to Tampa as a business trip and stay on task to get that 11th win of the 2012 season. To do so there are five Wolverines that the Gamecocks must respect when on the field and don't let these five be the "game-changers." They are:

The South Carolina Gamecocks are headed to Tampa, Fl., to face Michigan in the Outback Bowl. By now you have read "ten things to know about Michigan" and now here are ten reasons to watch the Outback Bowl:

The Outback Bowl is just around the corner and it will feature two very good squads. For South Carolina football fans, there are ten things to know about Michigan. They are:

1. Their four losses were to No. 1 Notre Dame (13-6), No. 2 Alabama (41-14), No. 3 Ohio State (26-21) and No. 23 Nebraska (23-9).

2. Out of their eight wins, only one was over a team that finished with a winning record - Northwestern.

3. Michigan averages 30 points per game.

4. "Big Blue" on defense only allows 311.2 yards a game. This ranks them 11th best in the NCAA.

5. The wide out to watch for is Jeremy Gallon as he has 40 catches, 684 yards and two scores.

6. The Wolverine defense has intercepted only seven passes all year. This ranks them 102 in the nation.

7. The Wolverines are 3-1 in previous Outback Bowl games.

8. UM has only recorded 19 sacks as a team in 2012.

9. The Wolverines are fourth in the NCAA in the red-zone conversions (92.3 %).

10. The Gamecocks are a 4-point favorite going into the game.