Enjoying the Journey
Posted September 7, 2008, 9:14 PM ET

The football season has barely begun, and already some fans are talking about the post season in January. On the flipside, there are some that have given up hope and feel that the season is lost.

Lighten up and enjoy the journey.

After watching the East Carolina Pirates the past two weeks on the Sundrop Southern Fried Football™ Tour, there is no doubt that something special is cooking in Greenville. It looks and smells so good, it could rival the aroma within the vicinity of B's and Parker's BBQ. The Pirates (and the BBQ) are that good.

Skip Holtz has done an incredible job, and the Pirates' ranking in this week's polls is justified and rightfully earned. The atmosphere in Greenville after the Pirates' dismantling of then #8 West Virginia was orgasmic. The ECU faithful have been waiting on this for a long, long time. For years, they wanted the Big Four schools to acknowledge them...now, they've got the whole country taking notice.

Pirate fans were also talking about BCS bids and other stuff, too. Guys, we've got a long way to go....like I stated earlier: you've got to enjoy the journey. It was amazing, how many purple-wearing fans would utter "BCS" and "Skip's gone" in the same breath. Trust me on this one, if the Pirates can bust through and acquire a BCS bid, then you'll find your program and Skip in a better place. It goes hand-in-hand.

The wins over Va. Tech and West Virginia were impressive, but keep in mind they both were non-conference wins. If ECU wants to get to the promised land, they must win their league and that means taking care of business in CUSA.

But there is no doubt that the "arrrrggghhh" you hear out of the eastern part of the state of North Carolina is a legitimate threat to every team in the immediate area...and then some. These Pirates can play.

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While East Carolina was partying into the night, another Carolina was hiding in shame.

The South Carolina Gamecocks pulled another no-brainer last Thursday night...they lost to Vanderbilt...again.

Last year, the Nashville eggheads ruined the season for South Carolina by upsetting the sixth-ranked Gamecocks in Columbia and in the process started their 5-game losing streak. Afterwards, some players howled that they lost to the worst team in the SEC.

This time, the ranked Gamecocks ventured to Nashville and lost to the 'Doors, and by the sound of things coming out of Columbia, you would think that Steve Spurrier has forgotten how to coach.

It is obvious that the players and coaches at Vandy can read and write. They didn't take too kindly to the disrespectful remarks last year, and they vowed to beat a ranked team at home for the first time since 1992. Vandy's coach Bobby Johnson even mentioned the Gamecocks puckering up under the pressure of the second half and stated after the win that he didn't know why people thought it was such a big surprise since they did the same thing last year.

Vandy's upset win was also their first back-to-back win over a Southeastern Conference foe since the 1998 and 1999 seasons....and that was against South Carolina, too.

Gamecock fans blistered Steve Spurrier on my radio show after the loss. It's the first time that I've sensed that the loyal South Carolina fans are starting to question the direction of the program under the Head Ball Coach. I can assure you that he's not thrilled with losing to Vandy, either.

But Spurrier better find some answers...and soon. The #2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs come into Williams-Brice Stadium this weekend. Did I mention that the Dawgs lost at home to Spurrier last year? Somehow, I think the Georgia players and coaches can read and write, too. They remember losing to South Carolina last season...so the Cocks better be ready.

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The Carolina Panthers enjoyed one of their most satisfying wins in a long, long time by knocking off one of the Super Bowl pre-season favorites in dramatic fashion.

Jake Delhomme's last-second touchdown pass secured the deal, as Carolina found a way to beat one of the NFL's best teams without All-World wide receiver Steve Smith.

While Steve Smith was apologizing again for his childish act of punching a teammate in the face, the Panthers were punching the Chargers. The win was a great homecoming gift for Coach John Fox.

The Panthers' O-line played well, as DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart ran wild and Delhomme showed off his new and improved arm. It was exactly what the Panthers needed....a big win on the road against a team that feels they have arrived.

I know Panther fans, just like the ECU fans, will be talking about January football...but we've got a long way to go. Plus, the Panthers have to do something next week which has haunted them for years. They must start beating teams at home.

I can't tell you how many times in the past few years that the Panthers have laid eggs with awful home performances. Chicago is up next....and like the Pirates, the Carolina Panthers have an opportunity to serve notice that they are going to be a force in the NFC.

Enjoy the journey.