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The burning question here is as follows: Are the biting remarks that have come out of Steve Spurrier’s mouth over the years premeditated or is he just shooting from the hip?
Scratch that: We couldn’t care less why the Old Ball Coach, who hates being called the Old Ball Coach, has said what he’s said. We’re just thrilled he’s said them.
Spurrier’s latest salvo went off in the spring. The Gamecocks and Georgia Bulldogs have been each other’s SEC opener the last three years.
But conference expansion pushed the game back to the sixth week of the season when the stakes are much higher. Spurrier couldn’t resist, it was like waving a camera in front of Lindsay Lohan, self control goes out the window.
“I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended,” Spurrier said.
Fact is Georgia did have several players suspended for early games for an assortment of missteps. But all — defensive back Sanders Commings, linebacker Alec Ogletree and safety Vacarri Rambo — are back.
“I think that’s funny,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “That sounds like Steve.”
Yep, good ole Steve. He called Florida State University Free Shoes University when the NCAA found that players were getting free or discounted sneakers. He referred to former Georgia coach Ray Goff as Ray Goof. He said you can’t spell, ‘Citrus Bowl,’ without UT — a dig at the University of Tennessee.
His persona on the sidelines?! That grimace. That Flying Visor. The way he treated his quarterbacks so poorly had Greenpeace ready to launch an intervention. Put all of that aside now as the sixth-ranked Gamecocks (5-0 overall, 3-0 in the SEC) play host to the fifth-ranked Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0) Saturday night in what is widely considered the biggest game in Spurrier’s reign in Columbia.
Not only is Spurrier going for his 250th coaching victory (202 in college; 47 in the NFL), but the Gamecocks are looking to set a school record 10-game win streak and this is the first time two Top 10-ranked teams have met in Columbia.
Throw in that other trivial stuff, such as at least a share of first in the SEC East and a spot in the BCS National Championship and this game should have Spurrier’s imprint all over it.
In fact, Spurrier had one last jab left. He called out ESPN GameDay analyst Lee Corso.
“Beating Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Clemson, I’m going to ask Coach Corso this weekend if he thought we could beat those in a year,’’ Spurrier said. “Things have changed around here a bit. Being very competitive with everyone in the conference is something that certainly we’re proud of.’’
Spurrier will be more proud when his team moves to 6-0, and you will be delirious after you take the Gamecocks and lay the two points.
UTAH (+14) over Usc
I saw a less talented but more physical team in Syracuse give the Trojans a bloody nose and cover. Utah looks like that Orange team.
SYRACUSE (-1) over Pitt
Ryan Nassib leads Syracuse to its first FBS win of the season
RUTGERS (-7 1/2 ) over UConn
Really concerned about an RU letdown after the Arkansas win. But the home crowd should alleviate that.
Northwestern (+3) over PENN STATE
Wildcats QB Kain Colter is exactly the kind of player to give Penn State fits.
STANFORD (-9) over Arizona
Bounce back after upset loss at Washington.
FLORIDA (+2 1/2) over Lsu
This is the best Florida team Will Muschamp has had and LSU has hardly been dazzling.
Oklahoma (-5 1/2) over TEXAS TECH
The Red Raiders are No. 1 in total offense. It has to hurt when September ends and real games begin.
CLEMSON (-10) over Georgia Tech
The rumbling about the direction of the Ramblin Wreck has begun. Recruits don’t like the option-style offense.
Michigan (-3) over PURDUE
If the Wolverines, 114th in the country in turnover margin hold on to the ball, it’s a solid cover.
TEXAS (-6 1/2] over West Virginia
Welcome to the Big 12, Mountaineers. Baylor was just a feel-good appetizer.
Notre Dame (-13) over Miami (in Chicago)
A veteran Notre Dame team has had an extra week to prepare for a young Miami team.
Florida St. (-14 1/2) over NC STATE
Seminoles got the hangover game out of their system. Now it’s time to get ACC separation.
OHIO ST. (-3 1/2) over Nebraska
Warning: Strictly a personal decision to never ever bet on the Huskers again. Broke the rule last week; cost me again.
OREGON (-24) over Washington
Watching the Huskies on offense is painful. Watching the Ducks makes us understand those who enjoy bird watching — breathtaking.
BEST BETS: Stanford, Oklahoma, Oregon
LAST WEEK: 8-7, 37-38
BEST BETS: 1-2, 5-10
lenn.robbins@nypost.com