After a mediocre 2007 season that saw the USC Gamecocks lose their last five games in a row and not go to a bowl game, fans are optimistic as the 2008 season gets underway. USC is starting early, playing N.C. State in Columbia in a Thursday night game on ESPN.
Fan Joey Grainger of Florence never misses a home game and was tailgating Thursday afternoon near Williams-Brice stadium. What makes him optimistic? "I think we have the best coach, and he's starting to get into the heads of the players the way he wants to. And when he's... he's been very quiet this year so far, and that usually means it's trouble for other teams," he says.
Playing on Thursday gave the Gamecocks less time to prepare, but it also gives them a national audience. The school also gets paid an additional $200,000 for being willing to play on Thursday.
USC student David Taylor, from Georgetown, was tailgating with friends six hours before Thursday's game. "I know a lot of people have class on Friday, but I think when it comes to football it's kind of a non-issue," he says. His preference? "I guess Saturday because you have the whole weekend to get ready and then cool down, also."
He says tailgating is almost as important as going to the game itself because of the cameraderie, hanging out with friends and meeting new people.
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