Rebels harbor healthy respect for Gamecocks

COLUMBIA -- Mississippi was the Southeastern Conference's unquestioned breakout team in 2008.

With a bowl upset of Texas Tech, nine victories and the only win against the eventual national champs, it was a good year to be a Rebel.

But one game seems to have stuck with Ole Miss: A 31-24 loss at home to South Carolina on Oct. 4.

"You look back at the loss we had last year, and it kind of stings," said Rebels junior Jevan Snead, one of the league's better quarterbacks. "It was a game we could've played better."

Thursday presents the opportunity for retribution, with the No. 4 Rebels coming to Columbia for ESPN's midweek showcase game.

Difficult as it is to believe, it's Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt's first Thursday night game. Talk about a quick turnaround: After the Rebs dispatched Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday night, they were back at the team's practice facility Sunday at 4 p.m.

"It's kind of new to me," Snead said. "I haven't had to prepare this quickly."

Thursdays have become customary for the Gamecocks (2-1, 0-1 SEC), who have opened four of Steve Spurrier's five seasons, including this one, in the middle of the week.

South Carolina's had a couple of other Thursday night games mixed in, including its upset of Kentucky two seasons ago. Like the Rebels (2-0, 0-0 SEC), the Wildcats came to Williams-Brice Stadium undefeated and ranked in the top 10.

Ole Miss was riding high last year when the Gamecocks visited the Grove. The Rebels had just pulled the season's biggest upset, with a 31-30 victory at Florida.

The team graced the cover of Sports Illustrated after that win.

And the Rebs bolted to a 14-3 first-quarter lead, but South Carolina responded with its best offensive game of the year.

The Gamecocks notched season highs in total yards (405) and passing yards (327). It was the high point of Chris Smelley's roller-coaster career at USC.

Smelley finished 22-for-32 for the 327 yards, a clear career high, and three touchdowns. Joe Hills hauled in a 4-yard pass from Smelley with 8:37 to play to put the Gamecocks up 34-24.

The play completed an 11-play, 95-yard monster drive that seemed to really crush any Ole Miss momentum.

"The guy that was playing quarterback had his best day," Nutt said. "The receivers were making plays. They got us in the second half."

Maybe Nutt didn't mention Smelley by name because he's irrelevant to this year's game. Smelley transferred to play baseball at Alabama, leaving Stephen Garcia in charge of the offense.

Nutt said he's impressed with the way Garcia, a redshirt sophomore, is growing into the job and managing games.

After being a turnover machine at times last season, Garcia has thrown two interceptions in the first three games in 2009.

Saturday's win against Florida Atlantic presented Garcia's first start without a turnover.

South Carolina ran up 289 rushing yards against the Owls, although Spurrier cautioned that it didn't come against an SEC defense.

"So you have to take that into consideration," he said.

Still, the Rebels have respect for their opponent.

"We're aware of the kind of athletes they have," Nutt said, "and the kind of game that coach Spurrier likes to play."

Led by Snead's arm, Ole Miss had vaulted by the end of last season to become the conference's darlings. The Rebels stayed that way through the summer months, and the SEC's media days. (Remember which quarterback Spurrier initially voted the league's best?)

No one was exactly blown away by wins against Memphis and Southeastern Louisiana. The SEC, Snead said, is a whole other beast.

"I do feel like this is a chance for us to prove ourselves and show the world what we can do," he said. "The season's started, but when you get to your first SEC game you know you're getting into it. You know this is when it really counts."

Injury bug pesters the Gamecocks

Two more of South Carolina's defensive starters sat out practice Monday.

Free safety Chris Culliver and spur Antonio Allen are the latest two Gamecocks to be sidelined.

Culliver has a bruised shoulder. Allen was dizzy after suffering what defensive head coach Ellis Johnson called a mild concussion.

Coach Steve Spurrier said he expects both Culliver and Allen to play Thursday night against No. 4 Ole Miss, but Johnson didn't say anything definitive about either player.

Johnson said there are a handful of players being held out for precautionary reasons, with the short week in mind.

"We've got a bunch of them we're treating that way," Johnson said. "If we had a week to play, we'd have some time. But we've got to line up Thursday.

We'll error on the side of precaution and stay out of contact."

Linebacker Eric Norwood (bruised shoulder) and tackle Nate Pepper (sprained ankle) also sat out.

Norwood will play, he's said. Pepper's status is up in the air.

"All of them are kind of wait and see," Johnson said. "It's an opinion from the trainer. There's no guarantee on any of them."

Follow Aiken Standard on facebook and twitter for breaking news, updates, weather, traffic, and more.

Share with us! Email your story to mystory@aikenstandard.com, or send photos and videos to editorial@aikenstandard.com.