'We don't feel bad'

COLUMBIA -- Those who study South Carolina football history are doomed to repeat it.

Another nice start to another potentially good season.

Another swoon.

The 2009 November schedule hasn't even started and already there is widespread panic in Gamecock Nation.

Maybe it was the two quick turnovers and sudden 14-0 hole last week at Tennessee, a loss that dropped South Carolina to 6-3 going into games against Arkansas, Florida and Clemson.

Perhaps the close call against lowly Vanderbilt the Saturday before.

Or recent November unpleasantness and the realization that George Rogers Boulevard, for all its promise, ends at a road named Bluff.

But Steve Spurrier was anything but melancholy Tuesday, fending off every blitz at his weekly news conference with a bright outlook.

"We don't feel bad," the Head Ball Coach said, "and you guys (the media) can't make us feel bad."

The Gamecocks should feel good about bankable postseason eligibility and a pending trip to at least the Independence Bowl, thanks to all those Southeastern Conference bowl ties and the likelihood Florida and Alabama will land BCS bowl bids.

Same fans, new team

South Carolina also should feel good about grabbing two early victories (N.C. State and Mississippi) as a pointspread underdog.

"There's no pressure on us," Spurrier said. "Well, there was a little pressure in that Vandy game. We certainly wanted to get that sixth win right there and not have to try and go through all these games where we're going to be underdogs. We're going to be underdogs in all these games. You understand that, don't you? So that means the experts think we're not as good as the teams we're playing. Whether or not they're right or not, we have to go find out."

It's the perception/reality game haunting the Gamecocks.

"They remember November," the old college football saying goes.

But, except for a few clever and insightful comments, I am not here to talk about the past. South Carolina going forward has two reasons to feel good about November -- if not this one, the next few:

--Spurrier and athletic director Eric Hyman are trying to arrange future schedules to allow for a bye earlier in the season instead of the goofy placement right before the regular season finale against Clemson. Maybe not coincidentally, Spurrier's lone South Carolina victory over the Tigers (2006) came the week after a 52-7 walloping of Middle Tennessee.

--This is an exceptionally young team, particularly at skill positions and in the secondary.

Boarding up

Lots of programs around the country would love to have freshman receivers Alshon Jeffery and Tori Gurley, freshman running backs Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles, freshman tight end Justice Cunningham and freshmen defensive backs DeVonte Holloman and Stephon Gilmore.

Sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia ranks second in the SEC in total offense, behind Ryan Mallett of Arkansas and ahead of Tim Tebow of Florida.

Yes, the kids are all right and they have short memories when it comes to any kind of real or perceived negative November tradition.

"To be honest with you I really don't know anything about it," Gurley said Tuesday. "Last year, I was a redshirt freshman and I had to watch and see what was going on. When you're in the shoes, right now we're just focused. Some people like bringing up the past, but we can only worry about the present and that's Arkansas."

A redshirt senior could not have said it any better.

"We're 6-3," Spurrier said. "And for this team, that's pretty good."

Better than most "experts" expected up to this point, no doubt.

Still, you know November has arrived in the Palmetto State when they stop giving hurricane forecasts on television but Gamecocks fans begin boarding up.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at 937-5593 or gsapakoff@postandcourier.com.