Well, long gone are the days when we saw the “Old Ball Coach” (aka Steven Orr Spurrier) hoisting an SEC Championship Trophy above his head. During an 11 year stay in Gainesville just before the turn of the century, he won that honor 6 times. And 2 other years his team played for the SEC Championship. So, why hasn’t the Football Mastermind been able to re-create his wizardry in Columbia, SC?
Well, there are many answers to that question, and while none of them should be rendered “the reason”, I have my own theory as to why he’s underachieved in relation to the lofty expectations that come with his name. And that answer is QB consistency. Review the last 5 seasons in Columbia. 2 things have never happened. 1… Spurrier has never entered a season with a clear-cut returning starting QB. And 2… only 1 QB that was named the starter for the first game, ended up starting the final game.
All of that should change this year, as interestingly enough, Gamecock starting QB Stephen Garcia is the most tenured returning QB in the lofty Southeastern Conference. Garcia was a highly touted Freshman in 2007, but entered campus with lots of immaturity and has seen 4 suspensions over his short stay so far. But things started to turn around for the Tampa, FL native in 2009 and Spurrier seems to finally have a guy that can compete against the rugged defenses of the SEC.
Joining Garcia on what promises to be the most explosive offense Spurrier has coached since 2001 (Florida’s Orange Bowl Champion team) are RBs Brian Maddox, Kenny Miles, Jarvis Giles, and the #2 RB recruit in the 2010 class, Marcus Lattimore. If you watched any SEC football last year, then All-Freshman team WR Alshon Jeffrey was certainly on your radar. And along with Pre-Season Mackey Award (Top TE) favorite Weslye Saunders and Sophomore 6’6” WR Tori Gurley, Garcia will have plenty of weapons to disperse the ball to.
Defensively, the Gamecocks return their best defense in 10 years. 2nd year Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward has the reigns. Under most peoples radar, the Gamecock defense finished 8th in the nation in Pass Defense in 2009 and should only improve on that ranking as they return all 4 starters in a secondary that includes Freshman All-American CB Stephon Gilmore and 2nd Team All-SEC Safety, Chris Culliver.
Something to look out for is the new “Wild Cock” offense that came to light in the final regular season game (an upset win over Clemson). Spurrier’s version of the “Wildcat” features the aforementioned Stephon Gilmore at QB (he played there in High School). On one drive in that Clemson game, Gilmore had 50 yards passing and 28 yards rushing. Spurrier promises to use the dangerous formation more this season.
As we all know… rarely are you going to say “the schedule is friendly” in regards to any SEC slate, and unfortunately for the Gamecocks, this is no exception. South Carolina kicks off the 2010 CFB season with the opening game in the Nation… a 7:30pm Thursday Night affair with Southern Miss on ESPN. After a bout with Georgia and an easy game against Furman, the SEC Gauntlet begins and they end the season with their annual bout against ACC Powerhouse, Clemson. Outside of Furman, there isn’t an easy game on the slate, but for the first time in his tenure, its safe to say that barring injury to Garcia, 10 wins is well-within reach.
The SEC East is arguably the toughest conference (or sub-conference) to predict this season, but with Tebow gone, new head coaches at Tennessee and Kentucky, and a rookie Defensive Coordinator at Georgia… this will be the “Ole Ball Coach’s” best chance to return to his old glory.
Key Returning Players:
QB Stephen Garcia
RB Brian Maddox
RB Jarvis Giles
WR Alshon Jeffrey
TE Weslye Saunders
S Chris Culliver
CB Stephon Gilmore
Key Games:
Sept 11 – Georgia
Sept 25 - @ Auburn
Oct 9 - Alabama
Oct 30 - Tennessee
Nov 13 - @ Florida
Nov 27 - @ Clemson
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