OTHER PICKS
Ole Miss 52, N.M. State 3Mississippi State 48, Troy 9N.C. State 17, Va. Tech 14Duke 26, Army 7Pittsburgh 35, Virginia 28Boston Coll. 17, W. Forest 12Syracuse 24, South Florida 17USC 33, Washington 24W. Kentucky 31, MTSU 26Baylor 66, Kansas 15Oklahoma 34, Texas 24Ohio State 49, Maryland 13Notre Dame 28, Navy 21Michigan 20, Northwestern 17Oregon 52, Wash. State 21TCU 37, Kansas State 14Michigan St. 22, Rutgers 19
Saturday’s football game between LSU and South Carolina will take place, but a difficult challenge for the struggling Gamecocks has become even tougher.
Due to excessive flooding since last weekend throughout the Palmetto State, especially in and around Columbia, the No. 7 Tigers and Gamecocks will vie instead in Baton Rouge. University of South Carolina president Harris Pastides announced the change in location for the Southeastern Conference matchup around lunchtime Wednesday.
“We made the extremely difficult decision to cancel classes for the week due to the stress 34,000 students would place on the region’s recovering infrastructure,” Pastides said in a statement, “and there is no doubt 85,000 fans would exact the same toll. The stress on law enforcement and first responders is too great.”
LSU coach Les Miles and South Carolina counterpart Steve Spurrier were open to whatever was decided when they took their turns on Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. The contest was scheduled to have a noon kickoff in Columbia but will kick off at 3:30 p.m. in Tiger Stadium, and all proceeds generated from ticket sales, minus the expenses LSU incurs for hosting the game, will be given to South Carolina.
“With the difficulty South Carolina is going through, we’re certainly following it and hoping their community and their entire state can get through this,” Miles said. “We are very sympathetic and recognize that this is a very difficult time. We want to support South Carolina in anything they want to do.
“We’ve been through weather issues here, and no one is above it.”
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina forced LSU to move its season opener against North Texas from early September to late October and its second game against Arizona State from Baton Rouge to Tempe, Ariz. If that wasn’t enough, Hurricane Rita forced LSU to move its next game against Tennessee back two days to a Monday night.
LSU now will have five SEC home games this season, leaving South Carolina with just three.
“Certainly that’s an advantage, and I hate it for the South Carolina people,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. “Any time tragedy hits, I know the other coaches and the SEC office will do what’s best for the people. It’s an advantage for them to play five home games in the league, but when times of tragedy strike, you pitch in and do what’s necessary to help people through those times, and this is an example of that.”
The Gamecocks are just 1-11 against LSU in Baton Rouge, and Spurrier didn’t hesitate when asked about the biggest challenge in preparation.
“The biggest challenge is LSU,” Spurrier said. “They’ve got a big, strong defense. They run the ball down everybody’s throat, and their return guys are some of the best.”
Pasquali’s Pix:
LSU at South Carolina: South Carolina’s only win in Baton Rouge took place in 1994, when Brad Scott’s Gamecocks topped Curley Hallman’s Tigers 18-17. Not exactly a glory era for either program. Tigers 34, Gamecocks 13.
Furman at UTC: The Paladins come in having defeated UCF and George O’Leary, who doesn’t want that loss on his résumé. Mocs 30, Paladins 19.
Georgia at Tennessee: A sixth straight win would be the longest streak in this series for Georgia. Bulldogs 27, Vols 20.
Georgia Tech at Clemson: After watching Tigers coach Dabo Swinney race down the hill before last week’s game against Notre Dame and referencing the “Whip” and “Nae Nae” afterward, methinks he doesn’t sleep much this time of year. Tigers 35, Yellow Jackets 24.
Arkansas at Alabama: The Crimson Tide have won eight straight in this series by the average score of 38-13. Crimson Tide 38, Razorbacks 13.
Florida at Missouri: Florida coach Jim McElwain was quick to point out Wednesday that his Gators are Missouri’s homecoming opponent. Gators 17, Mizzou 15.
Miami at Florida State: The Seminoles have gone under the radar since Jameis Winston left. The Hurricanes have been under the radar for more than a decade. Seminoles 24, Hurricanes 9.
California at Utah: Nothing like the annual tradition of the Golden Bears and Utes getting together in the biggest game of the day nationally. Utes 31, Golden Bears 28.
Last week:
Winners14
Deluges.11
Pasquali is 95-30 overall (76.0 percent) this season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.