Good morning. It’s the age-old question and now we’re turning to Gamecock women’s hoops to help us answer it. What came first: the chicken or the egg?

Here’s what’s stirred into today’s Brew ⤵️

⚽ Ranked and ready
📸 More than a thousand words
🤙 And much, much more

🎥 GAMECOCKS+

Best Of. We’re down to our final Best Of category as South Carolina sports are gearing up to return to the field! Today, we’re counting down the Top 4 best episodes of Gamecock Talk podcasts from the fall season, starting with a veteran favorite.

No. 4: Patrick DiMarco: Patrick DiMarco has had a journey that most could only dream of. How did the former Gamecock fullback end up carving out a niche for himself in the NFL for a decade? This is his story, filled with anecdotes you don't want to miss.

No. 3: Corey Miller: South Carolina native Corey Miller had a standout career with the Gamecocks and in the NFL. But life wasn't always easy for him. How did his faith turn his life around? This is his story.

No. 2: Silan Ayyildiz: Silan Ayyildiz came a long way from home to Columbia, South Carolina. But her journey has been one that's driven by wanting to be the best. And she's well on her way.

No. 1: Todd Ellis: Todd Ellis is a South Carolina and SEC legend. In the debut episode of Gamecock Talk, go inside his story and learn what made him one of the greats.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Ranked And Ready. South Carolina’s women’s soccer is just over a week away from taking the pitch for the first time and the squad will open the season ranked No. 12 nationally in the United Coaches Poll. The climb to the top starts now!

🔼 Watch ‘Em. We’re back with more Gamecock love on preseason watch lists! Kai Kroeger earned a spot on the Ray Guy Award Watch List, while Mitch Jeter was named to the Lou Groza Watch List.

🔼 Need For Speed. Former Gamecock Damiere Byrd is back home in the Carolinas, ready to suit up for the Panthers when the NFL season starts next month. Byrd is a speedy veteran ready to make an impact; read more about his journey from Columbia to the NFL and everything in between.

🔼 College vs Pro. OC Dowell Loggains has plenty of time in college football and the NFL under his belt. So what’s the biggest difference between the two? For Coach Loggains, it’s all about spacing. Read more here.

🔼 Vegas Reunion. A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates are back together again in Vegas after the Aces signed Coates to a contract this week.

And speaking of A’ja, she earned back-to-back Western Conference Player of the Month honors! The Aces posted a 9-1 record in July with A’ja scoring at least 20 points eight times last month.

🔼  More Than A Thousand Words. In his latest installment of the From Where I Sit series, Brad Muller writes that a photo “is worth a lot more than one thousand words. Heck, sometimes one word is enough” and then reveals his favorite photos in Gamecock history. Check them out here, and share yours, too!

🤔 GAMECOCK TRIVIA

Countdown: 30. The highest number of rushing yards in a game under Coach Beamer is 301. Against what opponent did the Gamecocks do it?

Think you know? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the right answer!

📬 STICK WITH US

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🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: North Carolina

The Gamecocks erupted for 301 yards on the ground in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over the Tar Heels on December 30, 2021.

Have a good Thursday, y’all.