QB’s return fortifies Gamecocks

Almost every college student skips class once in a while. It’s part of campus life, like cramming for an exam or punching someone in the eye. South Carolina senior quarterback Blake Mitchell is an imperfect example of that.

Mitchell has had his problems, and he has been disciplined, but he will be playing Saturday when the Gamecocks visit Georgia in an important Southeastern Conference game.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier had this to say last year after Mitchell was arrested for assaulting a bouncer at a nightclub: "If he’s not in jail, he’ll probably have his jersey on and be on the sidelines."

Mitchell missed too many classes this summer and was suspended last week, when the Gamecocks opened their season with a 28-14 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette.

His return comes at a perfect time. South Carolina, a 4-point underdog, needs Mitchell to beat the Bulldogs.

Spurrier has been a warrior on the SEC road, winning five of the past six games. The one loss was to Florida, 17-16, and the Gators went on to win the national championship.

The Gamecocks, 6-0 against the spread away from home last season, returned 10 starters on defense.

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, a promising sophomore, will be under pressure from South Carolina’s physical front seven.

In a close game, grab the points with Spurrier, who knows when to end a suspension for his troubled senior quarterback.

Six more plays for Saturday (home team in CAPS):

• NORTHWESTERN (-9) over Unr: It’s a tough road trip for the Wolf Pack. After allowing 625 yards in a 52-10 loss at Nebraska, UNR must regroup for a Big Ten opponent. Wildcats running back Tyrell Sutton will punch holes through a soft Pack defense.

• COLORADO STATE (+14) over California: Expect an emotional letdown for the Golden Bears, who got their revenge against Tennessee. Cal is scary offensively, led by big-play wideout DeSean Jackson, but its defense is suspect. Rams running back Kyle Bell could wear down the Bears and keep it competitive.

• MICHIGAN (-7 1/2) over Oregon: The Wolverines obviously are angry and embarrassed after losing to Appalachian State. Even if the Michigan defense breaks down again, quarterback Chad Henne and running back Mike Hart can do lots of damage to a Ducks defense that allowed 545 yards to Houston.

• Notre Dame (+17 1/2) over PENN STATE: Humiliated last week in a 30-point loss to Georgia Tech, the Irish should get a boost from freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Notre Dame’s offense was so inept, the defense barely had a chance. The talent gap between the two teams is not that wide, and line is too high.

• UCLA (-7) over Brigham Young: Cougars quarterback Max Hall makes his first road start against a strong Pac-10 defense. The Bruins, who rolled up 624 yards in blowing out Stanford, should outclass one of the Mountain West’s best teams.

• TEXAS TECH (-23 1/2) over Texas-El Paso: The Red Raiders rarely show pity to helpless opponents. The passing attack of Graham Harrell will overwhelm the Miners, who need to control the clock to have any chance. UTEP’s offense produced 195 yards against New Mexico.

Last week: 3-2 against the spread.

Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.