It really is. Union Avenue in front of the Peabody is clogged with buses carrying legions of South Carolina 'Cocks fans, along with what at least one member of the Houston Cougar nation (vast as it is). That must mean the AutoZone Liberty Bowl kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Friday. I lived in South Carolina for a couple years after college, so I have something of a soft spot for the Chickens. On the other hand, I'm a lifelong Steve Spurrier hater since my brother's UT days. For its part, Houston is starting to show flashes of offensive firepower that almost call to mind the record-shattering run-and-shoot days with Andre Ware and David Klingler at quarterback. If I were a betting man, I'd take Houston plus the 6 points, and definitely take the over. But I'm not.

In other news, in case you've been under a rock this afternoon, Mike Fratello is out as Grizzlies head coach. Catch all the developments here.