'Cocks vs. Nutt

Lets get it going down in Columbia! Two teams that hope to be mentioned in the same breath as the Florida's, LSU's, Georgia's, and Alabama's of the SEC will meet in what should be a solid matchup.

Starting with Ole Miss, the Rebels have some high aspirations this season. After faltering early in the season last year, they turned it on in the second half by beating Florida and capping off their season with a trouncing of Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. Many feel the talent level is there for Houston Nutt's group and by their current ranking of number 4 in the country, the expectations are also. This could be their biggest road test of the season (though the Auburn Tigers would disagree) as they get SEC West foes Alabama and LSU both in Oxford. Many also feel that this could be their toughest task from the SEC East as they avoid the pitfalls of the (1) Florida Gators and the (21) Georgia Bulldogs. Their SEC East schedule includes the likes of road games tonight at South Carolina and next weekend at Vanderbilt, with a home game later against the re-tooling Tennessee Volenteers. They have also caught flack for their (extremely) weak non-conference schedule that includes Memphis, UAB, and two 1-AA schools (c'mon Ole Miss, really?) So, that said, they still have to go through the SEC West and then get through the SEC Championship game that will most likely involve the The Promise Keeper. So, if they get there, they'll eventually have to earn it.

South Carolina on the other hand has been sputtering somewhat in their rise to glory. Steve Spurrier was brought in to revitalize a traditionally 2nd fiddle program and to elevate it to the rest of its SEC brethren. Well, that hasn't happened yet. But, with the early play of Stephen Garcia this season many think that the Ole Ball Coach has found his QB. A week ago SC got into a shootout with UGA and almost came out the victor. So will the Gamecocks turn the corner? Or will they still just be the team that's good for an upset or two each year while still dropping a couple games they shouldn't.

This is a defining game for 2 teams looking to be mentioned in the elite in the near future. Who will step up and who will be looking forward to the Music City Bowl?