From the Other Sideline – South Carolina

Josh Kendall is the South Carolina beat reporter for The State newspaper and GoGamecocks.com. Kendall is a 1995 graduate of Georgia, but lists his most memorable sports moment as watching Gamecock fans carry the goalposts out of their stadium following an upset over his Bulldogs in the year 2000. What happened to school loyalty? You can follow Josh on Twitter at @JoshatTheState. Probably should have capitalized the first 'a' in that Twitter handle.

1. What is the overall confidence level for South Carolina fans that the Gamecocks will come out with a win this weekend?

I think it’s average. The fans are very worried about the offense for obvious reasons and most I talk to can’t seem to wrap their heads around the fact that this is not the same Auburn team that trounced them in December.

2. Besides making sure Garcia shows up to the game, what are some of the major concerns for Spurrier for the match-up with Auburn?

He’s got to get his passing game in order. Marcus Lattimore still is Marcus Lattimore, but the Gamecocks have to give somebody a reason to defend the pass or Marcus will face eight in the box all day long.

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From the Other Sideline – Florida Atlantic

You may remember from my ESPYs coverage, that I was posted on the red carpet next to Joey Brander, a 15 year old sports broadcaster/journalist that runs www.gbsnsports.com. Brander is the youngest member in history of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida, where he has covered the FAU Owls for both his website, as well as his segment on the CBS12 television show "Beyond the Game." Follow Joey on Twitter at @JoeyBrander.

1. FAU has struggled to score points this year. Auburn has struggled to stop teams from scoring points this year. Which do you think will change this weekend?

I think Auburn’s struggle to stop teams from scoring will end this week. FAU simply cannot score, no matter who the opponent is. They have a solid offensive line and running back core highlighted by senior Alfred Morris, but there isn’t a single quarterback on the roster that can compete against other Sun-Belt schools, let alone a top SEC program. FAU has been outscored 85-3 so far this year, a trend which I see continuing this week.

2. The Owls don't have much history considering that their football program is only 10 years old, but they do have a Hall of Fame coach in Howard Schnellenberger. How has he helped bring the program along?

Coach Schnellenberger took over the program in its inaugural year, and has brought it to unexpected heights in a short period of time. With two bowl wins and eleven players in the NFL over the last ten years, Florida Atlantic football has certainly become a perennial Sun-Belt favorite.

When Coach Schnellenberger first came to FAU, he said his top goal was to get an on-campus stadium built on the Boca Raton campus. After ten years, his goal was realized, with FAU’s first game in the brand new stadium coming the week following Auburn. In “Field of Dreams,” the saying was “If you build it, he will come.” For the FAU football program, it was “When Schnellenberger comes, it will be built.”

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From the Other Sideline – Clemson

Greg Wallace has covered Clemson athletics for the Anderson (SC) Independent-Mail since November 2005, seeing the end of the Tommy Bowden era, the beginning of the Dabo Swinney era, an ACC Atlantic Division title and more than his share of dubious defeats to the likes of Maryland and Wake Forest. Before that, he covered Alabama for the late Birmingham Post-Herald from 2001-05, the Crimson Tide's "dark era," where he covered the NCAA probation and three head coaches in six months (thanks, Mike Price!). Read his Clemson coverage at orangeandwhite.com, or follow him on Twitter at @aimclemson.

1. On a scale of 1-10, what is the Clemson fan base's confidence level going into this season's match-up with Auburn?

I’d say it’s about a 4. I think most Clemson fans expected to have a much easier time with both Troy and Wofford to open the season, even though both have shown to be tough outs in the past. But to trail Troy and be tied with Wofford at halftime – and not lead Wofford until the third quarter – was unacceptable to Tiger fans. Those games were expected to build confidence, and letting a Sun Belt and SoCon team hang around did little of that.

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From the Other Sideline – Mississippi State

Brandon Marcello is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion-Ledger. Brandon was nice enough to give us a little insight on the Bulldogs, their fans' confidence (insanity), and even gets a little Cam Newton cowbell dig in there. Follow him on Twitter and read his blog, but only if you want reasons to continue your #StateHate.

1. On a scale of 1-10, how confident are State fans that their team can come in to Jordan-Hare and win this Saturday?

There are always a few fans on the fringe who will never feel comfortable with MSU experiencing the success it's had in recent months. Even so, the majority of the fans appear to be expecting a victory this week in Auburn. I'd give the fan base an 8 on the Puffed-Chest Scale. (Feel free to call it the PCS, TM)

2. On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you they are certifiably insane?

Oh, boy. - I think that means "10."

3. Has anyone ever choked on a cowbell? Put one in my face and it might happen.

Well, Cam Newton seemed comfortable clanging one above his head during the Egg Bowl in 2009. - Dang you, Marcello.

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From the Other Sideline – Alabama

Ell (Twitter) is a 1998 graduate from the University of Alabama. He and a couple of friends run the Bama Sports Report where they try and keep the discussion civil and the analysis sharp. No one at the Bama Sports Report has ever called the Finebaum Show. Note: this was his version of his bio. I can not confirm or deny any of these claims.

1. First off, do you own one of those houndstooth baseball hats? If not, good. If so, those things are hideous you know?

No, I don't own any of those houndstooth baseball hats. I don't think they're necessarily hideous - I've made plenty of poor fashion choices myself - but you wouldn't ever catch me dead in one. Plus, in all seriousness, I have a gigantic head. Generally, only visors fit me. But even if they did fit... no.

2. Aside from stopping Cam, what is the Tide's major concerns for this game?

Aside from stopping Cam, the most pressing concern for the Tide is post-victory dinner plans. Auburn goes as Cam goes. It's no secret really. Michael Dyer and Darvin Adams are nice pieces to have on offense, and Nick Fairley is a beast. But mostly, if Cam is stopped (or, more realistically, contained), Alabama wins.

3. Who are two generally unknown players that Auburn should look out for and why?

CJ Moseley at linebacker is a true freshman and already terrifying. His playing time has been slowly increasing all season, and he's in the regular rotation now. I don't know if he's unknown on the Plains, but after Saturday, he won't be for sure.

On the offensive side of the ball, I'd expect someone from the group of receivers that aren't Julio Jones to step up and make themselves known. Most folks know Marquis Maze, but Darius Hanks, Kevin Norwood or Kenny Bell are the candidates to step up and make themselves part of Iron Bowl history Friday against a porous Auburn secondary.

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From the Other Sideline – Georgia

Jeff Schultz (Facebook) has worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1989. Prior to coming to the AJC, Schultz worked for the San Jose Mercury News and the Los Angeles Daily News, covering the NFL, the NHL and the NBA. At least ten of you should follow him on Twitter, or Schultz claims that I would be dead to him. Please don't let that happen.

1. What is the first thing Georgia fans think of when they think of Auburn?

First thing I think of is traffic and never being able to find the right parking lot. Seriously, I’m not a fan. But the obvious answer is when you think of Auburn, you think of Cam Newton, especially given the proximity of the school to Georgia and the fact he’s from the Atlanta area. And, well, he’s kind of been in the news.

2. Aside from stopping Cam, what are the Bulldogs' major concerns for this game?

Defense and erratic offensive line play have been the issues most of the season. Quarterback actually hasn’t been a problem, even though Aaron Murray is a freshman. Georgia is capable of scoring points, but they haven’t beaten a quality team all season (wins over: La-Lafayette, Tennessee, Vandy, Kentucky, Idaho State). They’re also 0-2 against the only two ranked teams they’ve played (South Carolina, Arkansas).

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From the Other Sideline – UT-Chattanooga

John Frierson (Twitter) has been the UTC beat writer for the Chattanooga Times Free Press for the past four years. Before that he covered Auburn and Alabama for the Florence Times Daily. Frierson is an Athens, Ga. native who went to Ole Miss, and will refer to them as the Black Bears from here on out.

1. What's the first thing Chattanooga fans think of when they think of Auburn football?

My guess would be Cam Newton for the under-30 set or Bo Jackson. You kind of hope it's Bo Jackson.

2. Aside from stopping Cam, what are the Mocs' major concerns for this game?

If Auburn does it, UTC is concerned. I know the defense is worried about Michael Dyer and the offense is worried about keeping Nick Fairley off the quarterback.

The bottom line for both teams is to get through the game, which is all but meaningless, except for a much-needed check for UTC, without anyone getting hurt.

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