The South Carolina Gamecocks are ranked No. 3 in this week’s AP Poll and I could not be happier. Simply put, it is “Great to be a Gamecock.”

It has been a long road for the USC football team and for fans of the program. This is the best ranking in the “Steve Spurrier era” and the second-highest ranking in school history; South Carolina reached the No. 2 spot in 1984. Also the Gamecocks have the nation’s longest winning streak at 10 games. Your blogging crew here at LOHD, can recall the 0-11 and 1-10 seasons but now we rejoice. It is great to taste success and to be frank, I desire more. I want the Gamecocks to continue to achieve what we knew they could under Coach Steve Spurrier.

When he took over the program, he had his doubters like Lee Corso that said you cannot win at South Carolina. Well, now he and many are awfully wrong in thinking that. Coach Spurrier has changed the culture at USC and he is not satisfied nor should we, the fans, be. This team is talented, the fans have the passion, recruiting is strong, the facilities are top-notched and now it is time to bring forth a winning tradition at the University of South Carolina.

The South Carolina football squad has won the SEC East, they’ve won 11 games in a season and now it is time to show that this was not because of a down SEC but because this is South Carolina football. This level of competition is what USC football is all about now. So get used to it and for the fans, tell yourself that it is “Great to be a Gamecock” as you too should get used to it also. Welcome to the new South Carolina football program. Be happy with No. 3 but watch out No. 1 as here comes the Gamecocks.

In this episode of the Gamecocks Podcast, we provide a review of the win against the Georgia Bulldogs. Take a listen to our podcast:



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In this episode of the Gamecocks Podcast, we provide a preview of South Carolina versus Georgia. Take a listen to our podcast:



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In this episode of the Gamecocks Podcast, we provide a wrap of the Kentucky win from this past weekend. By now you should have read our "field report" and "lessons learned." So now go and take a listen to our podcast:



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After this week's action here is my SB Nation BlogPoll Top 25 ballot:

In this episode of the Gamecocks Podcast, we discuss and give reactions on the most recent comments made by Coach Steve Spurrier concerning his bubbling feud with Ron Morris. 

Take a listen:



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This week, two of the top birds in the nation will peck it out in the Battle of the Birds. Our beloved Cocky and YoUDee are going up against each other in the Capital One Mascot Challenge to solidify which feathered mascot can claim bragging rights. 

Coming off of a narrow defeat in week 3 to Sebastian the Ibis, the University of Delaware’s YoUDee is 2-1 and looking to come back strong against the undefeated Cocky. These two birds are both hoping to imitate the success of their respective football teams who are both undefeated.

Who will win the Battle of the Birds and shift power of the feathered mascots? Fans will determine one outcome by voting via:
- CapitalOneBowl.com/vote
- Facebook.com/MascotChallenge
- or via Twitter using #CapitalOneCocky or #CapitalOneYoUDee

The overall winner of the Capital One Mascot Challenge will be named Capital One Mascot of the Year and receive $20,000 towards its school’s mascot program.

For more information on the competition and the week-to-week matchups visit www.capitalonebowl.com. Now go vote for Cocky!

In this episode of the Gamecocks Podcast, we discuss the Missouri Tigers win that the South Carolina football experienced. Take a listen:



Furthermore.....

The SEC football landscape is starting to make sense as fall as who are contenders and who are pretenders. The season is still young but here is how we see the SEC Power Poll after the fourth week:

Here is our week four ballot for the SB Nation BlogPoll Top 25.

We have been faithful in ranking the collegiate football top 25 as we see it but we are always willing to take your input into account. So view the ballot below and post comments as to where changes need to be made.....