Spurrier said he felt "honored and privileged" to have his Gamecocks opening the 2006 football season, but mentioned it wouldn't be easy in Starkville, where "it's loud and exciting, and Coach Croom is really building that team up."

"I'd love to win there," Spurrier said. "It's the only place in the SEC I haven't won yet."

For Spurrier to claim his first victory at Scott Field (where he is 0-2), the Gamecocks will have to rely on their passing attack, and try to stop a powerful MSU defensive line.

"Their defensive front four are as good as any I've seen in the SEC," Spurrier said.

The Old Ball Coach believes his offense, which returns QB Blake Mitchell and all-SEC WR Sidney Rice, will be better than last year's, but emphasized his concerns on the defensive side of the ball.

"We've got one returning starter back on defense," Spurrier said. "So we're going to play a lot of new guys on defense, and hopefully they will represent their team and their school well.

Even when he's concerned though, when Spurrier talks, there is always confidence brimming in everything he says.

"We'll just play our best out there and see what happens," Spurrier said.

As for MSU's Sylvester Croom, he feels that this game will be a benchmark for how far the Bulldog program has come over the last two seasons. Coming off an impressive 35-14 thrashing over Ole Miss, plus months of very hard workouts and practice, he feels his team should feel good about himself, but that their confidence can't be completely measured until after Thursday's showdown.

Contrary to Spurrier, Croom feels it's the offense that is the greatest question mark for Mississippi State.

"Our offense is a work in progress, and we'll see how far we've come tomorrow night," Croom said.

Croom praised the S. Carolina offense, especially QB Blake Mitchell.

"They talked about the freshman (Chris Smelley) possibly starting there, but I think Blake did a good job last year for them," Croom said.

For the Bulldogs to win, Croom hops to rely on his veteran defensive unit.

"I hope our defense is as god as I think they are," Croom said, "or we're in big trouble."

We'll find out what happens Thursday night, as the Mission: SEC Football crew heads to Starkville to open the college football season!