2010 South Carolina Gamecocks Preview

By GameDoks (Danny R. Bagley)

 Can you say National Champions?  I knew you could!  I know that this is a football related article and all, but I just HAD to get that out there.  It is the first time that ANY Gamecock fan has been able to say that about any of our “Big-Three” teams.  Feels good!!!  National Champions! They are the #1 NCAA Baseball team in all the land.  Congrats to those guys, you make me (and every other Gamecock proud.)  Ahhhh, I guess I will get past that and move on to the subject at hand.
 Can the football team put up the same results…..ummm, not no, but HELL NO!  Now before my fellow Gamecocks get their feathers ruffled and make plans to pluck me, let me explain.  We only have a few games on the schedule this year that we are “supposed” to lose.  Our schedule is filled with excuses for the opponents with only two exceptions….Alabama and Arkansas.    They have no excuse for not winning but I will give them some just in case.  I personally hope they need to use them.  Lemme break it down for ya…



DISCLAIMER:  I may not agree with every reason that I put down here, but I will put it down because it will be said after the fact…wait and see.



9/02/2010 – vs Southern Miss in Columbia – REALITY:  Best team in CONF-USA this season.  (My Opinion)  They have 9 returners on defense and should be pretty solid.  Their biggest worry is that they lost 4 OL guys and that could prove to be a problem.  IF WE WIN:  We will get no love from the coaches or the AP or even USA-Today in the polls because an SEC team beat a CONF-USA squad.  (One of those, not my beliefs but it is true)  For some reason, people think that an SEC team should automatically win any contest that doesn’t involve your perennial powerhouse conferences.  We won’t get any love if we win this game because we were “supposed” to win it.



9/11/2010 – vs Georgia in Columbia – We all know about the “rebuilding” tag that has been thrown onto Georgia’s back.  We all know about the Athletic Director getting fired.  (How does a 34 yr old get an AD job anyway?)  REALITY:  UGA won four of their last five including that A&M ass whooping.  This game is ALWAYS close.  When we are at our worst, we play the Bulldogs hard…vice versa.  This is damn near a rivalry game.  IF they win, they were supposed to beat lowly little South Carolina.  IF WE WIN:  They are “rebuilding” and they are having internal issues with the AD and so forth and so on.  There is an excuse as to why they lost.  Again, no love for the Gamecocks.



9/18/2010 – vs Furman in Columbia – Holy Shit!  Do I even HAVE to give a reason why we will get no love for winning this game?  OK, just to keep it fair….REALITY:  They return 12 starters and 44 lettermen from last year’s team.  IF WE WIN:  BWAA HAAA HAAA HAAA….I said IF…he he he he….WHEN we win, they will say the same thing that even the Gamecock fans will say…”So what?  It’s flippn’ Furman.  No love in the polls.



9/25/2010 – @ Auburn – REALITY:  They were 8-5 last year in a new system.  They have 15 starters returning.  4 out of 5 starting OL guys, 3 out of 4 the secondary, and all three linebackers.  They lose their starting QB but their JUCO transfer won the title for his JUCO last year.  They lose their leading rusher but they have one of the best receivers in the SEC in Darvin Adams (60 catches-997 yds-10 TD’s)  IF WE WIN:  Defense, defense, defense….not ours, theirs. (or lack of)  Last year Auburn only held ONE team under 20 points. (Louisiana Tech)  We will get some love in the rankings for a win here….but a VERY minimal amount.



10/09/2010 – vs Alabama in Columbia – REALITY:  DEFENDING CHAMPS!  Need I say more?  Yes!?  Okay, a little fella named Mark Ingram returns and he has a friend with him…it’s called Heisman Trophy.  Want more evidence?  Cool!  Julio Jones.  Yeah, the same Julio Jones that battled injuries all last season but posted respectable numbers.  His numbers should be through the roof this year.  Still not convinced?  The Tide are 26-2 in the last two seasons.  (24-0 during the regular season)  IF WE WIN:  We played them very close last year and I personally like our chances this year because of….HEY, stop laughing and finish reading the article….our defense and our new O-Line scheme.  (more about that later)  In all honesty, if we win, it will be labeled a fluke of epic proportions.  Think Appalachian State vs Michigan or Stanford vs UnSC. (west coast)  We would still probably get a good bit of love here, even if it is “fluke” love.  The microscope would be on us though and our love would be taken away if we didn’t beat the absolute hell out of the next team we faced.



10/16/10 -- @ Kentucky – REALITY:  They have been to four straight bowl games.  They still will run the wildcat offense with Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke.  They have continuity in the program since they internally promoted Joker Phillips to HC.  IF WE WIN:  Third Head Coach in three years.  They only return 11 lettermen, not starters….lettermen.  No love if we win this game.  In fact, if we don’t beat the hell out of them, we will lose the love from the “Surprise @ the Brice.”  (I said it first so when we beat ‘Bama, be sure to give me credit)



10/23/2010 -- @ Vanderbilt – REALITY:  These guys had our number there for a while…other than that….see 9/18/2010 and what was written about Furman.



10/30/2010 – vs Tennessee in Columbia – REALITY:  Speed, Speed, Speed.  They have plenty of it.  I actually am a little worried about this game.  These guys are the ones with nothing to lose.  They aren’t expected to win this year.  The “you have to feel sorry for us because of what Lame Kitten did” attitudes are still there.  They want to come out and shock the world and let’s be honest…ANY win that they put up this year will probably do just that.  IF WE WIN:  Three coaches in three years.  Eric Barry is gone.  QB’s Matt Simms and Tyler Bray are both inexperienced and have a horrid O-line to work behind.  Everyone is on the Derek Dooley bandwagon (I just now got off of it myself) but his 17-20 record at Louisiana Tech isn’t really enough to make me call him “The Man” just yet.  No love for winning this game.



11/06/2010 – vs Arkansas in Columbia – REALITY:  Ryan Mallett, veteran O-line, and four decent RB’s should be enough for Arkansas to whip most every school in the SEC this season.  I personally think they have all the tools to win the BCS.  IF WE WIN:  They will blame the linebackers and the new Offensive coordinator, Garrick McGee.  Honsetly, we will get some love if we win this game.  Should be enough to move us into a top 25 if we aren’t already….if we are we could potentially break into the top 15.



11/13/2010 -- @ Florida – REALITY:   New QB John Brantley has all of the tools to be an NFL signal-caller.  He only lacks experience. Brantley has an excellent supporting cast so his transition to the starting role should go smoothly. There is plenty of talent at all of the skill positions, loads of RB’s, fast receivers and an experienced O-Line.  IF WE WIN:  Tim Tebow isn’t there anymore.  If that isn’t enough, they only return 5 starters on D.  Never mind the fact that the new folks are better than most NFL teams. (on paper)  Depending on Florida’s win-loss record, we could jump into the top 10 with a win here….love will be demanded by Gamecock nation…and it will be deserved.



11/20/2010 – vs Troy in Columbia – REALITY:  See 9/18/2010 and 10/30/2010.  Do I REALLY need to break it down for you?  Okie Dokie….only 5 returners on Offense.  They lost QB Levi Brown.  (Sun Belt player of the year)  The defense only returns 3 starters.  It wouldn’t really matter if they brought the whole damn roster back.  They allowed 29.8 ppg last season.  IF WE WIN:  Another one of those “we were supposed to win” moments.  And we need to win big or we will drop in the rankings.  We don’t have the luxury of just winning a game and getting a free pass.  We aren’t the Florida’s and the ‘Bama’s and the Trojans and the Buckeyes.  We aren’t even the Fighting Irish or the Seminoles.  You know, the people that “belong” in the top 25.  We are that unwanted guest at the super bowl party that you are just LOOKING for a reason to kick out.  This is a no love game…could do more damage than it could ever do good.



11/27/2010 -- @ Clemson – REALITY:  This is a rivalry game.  There isn’t a single soul reading this right now that doesn’t know what that means.  Anything could happen.  Clemsux could have a pretty decent squad this year.  They played for the ACC Championship last year.  QB Kyle Parker should be better than ever.  IF WE WIN:  C.J. Spiller is gone, and the experiment called Dabo Swinney has never been accused of getting all of the goody out of his players.  We might lose some poll positions if we lose, but I highly doubt that a win would move us up any at all.

So you see, the polls won't allow us to be where we need to be in order to play for a national championship, even with some quality wins.  Those wins will be "excusable."  I would love to say that this is the year, but it's not.  This could be the year for the SEC East, and maybe an SEC Championship...but that would mean beating Alabama or Arkansas TWICE.  I really like our chances.  Florida is still the team to beat in the East, and it will come down to Bama/Arkansas for the west.


I don’t think that we have a shot at the National title just yet, but I do think that we can compete for the SEC East.  We should be able to as long as we have a little help and some of our opponents take a couple of key losses here and there.  The Gamecocks are poised to attack this year and we have plenty of talent.  We have just as much talent as any other SEC school out there, the only thing that has to be proven to me this year is from our coaching staff.  I think our kids have the ability, and they have the desire and the passion.  If our coaches can coach, then the SEC better watch out.  So, just who are these Gamecocks that I have high expectations for and even higher hopes?  Well, let’s open up the chicken coop and get to know them a little better.



  QB Stephen Garcia is back as our starting QB.  Many of my fellow cocks…(he he he he)….feel that he is NOT the man to get the job done.  I think he has made improvements along the way and will be a more confident QB, and a better decision maker/game manager as a whole.  Last year Garcia threw for 239 completions, 2,862 yards and 17 touchdowns.  That was without the aid of anything that even resembled an effective offensive line.  Garcia will also be motivated to perform because of the heel nipping of Connor Shaw.  Coach Spurrier said after last season…and I quote…(notice the quotation marks there)…”We will have two (qb’s) ready to play next year.  That’s the first time in my coaching career of about 28 years that we only had one guy that could play”. This year he says "We will play two if the first guy doesn’t play the way the coaches ask him to play.”  THAT part scares me.  Most everyone in the nation remembers the fiasco from the past where we switched ‘em up on damn near every down.  In case you don’t remember let me sum it up for ya….HORRID!  As I said earlier, the coaching is my biggest concern.  I have to throw a quick shout out for the “wild-cock” formation with Stephon Gilmore behind center.  I would love to see more of that.



  The Offensive line has been an absolute nightmare for the past few years.  Not a nightmare for the opposing Defense though.  I mean, we almost put out the welcome mats and offered refreshments to defensive pursuers here lately.  We have a new O-line coach (second one in as many years) from Appalachian State…Shawn Elliot.  I hope he is a miracle worker because nothing short of that will keep us from being offensive basement dwellers again.  Last year, we gave up the most sacks in the SEC and were in last place in rushing.  That’s the third consecutive year that we were last place in rushing.  We have some experience coming back but unless they get “re-learned” in a hurry it might not matter.  I hope coach Elliot has a damn good plan.  If he does, then OT’s Jarriel King and Kyle Nunn could be BEASTS.  They have the athletic talent, just not the proper education/system.



  As far as our other offensive positions, we are stacked.  I mean, you have the highly touted RB Marcus Lattimore that we all expect huge numbers from.  RB Kenny Miles is always there to provide a positive spark.  Miles averaged 5.4 yards per carry off of 117 touches last season but our offense seemed to always be playing from behind.  My personal fave is RB Jarvis Giles.  He averaged 5.3 per carry off of 52 attempts.  I think he and Lattimore would be a 1-2 punch in the likes of McFadden and Jones…or Spiller and James.  (they were taters but you have to give credit where it is due…they were nice as hell)  It all depends on the O-line as to what we can do from the backfield.  Our receivers are among the best in the nation.  They are led by none other than #1, Alshon Jeffrey.  Jeffrey had 763 yards off of 46 receptions…16.6 avg last year with 6 touchdowns.  Added to him are Tori Gurley, (I think he had at LEAST 3 TD’s called back last year due to penalties) Jason Barnes, and DL Moore.  Spurrier is expected to have Gurley and Jeffrey on the field TOGETHER this year.  Gurley had two TD’s that weren’t called back.  He caught the ball 31 times for 440 yds…14.2 avg.  Imagine that…putting your two best receivers (not to mention biggest, Jeffrey is 6’4”/237lbs while Gurley is 6’5”/230lbs) on the field at the same time.  Only a genius could think of something so devious.  We have moved Patrick Dimarco from FB to TE.  Dimarco reminds me of a little guy from Ohio named Ryan Brewer.  Not sure how that will play out but I KNOW he has more heart than almost anyone on the team.  He has the desire, this year we will test the talent.



On defense we return seven starters.  Not a bad way to start things out when you consider that this was the third ranked defense in the SEC last year.  CB Stephon Gilmore will be shutting ‘em down again this year, and in fact, should have better numbers than last year.  He is 100% dedicated to being the best CB in the NCAA.  That doesn't bode well for me getting to see him behind center in the "Wild-Cock" formation.  We lost Eric Norwood (TRUE GAMECOCK..thanks for not bailing early on us) but Rodney Paulk and Shaq Wilson (last year’s lead tackler) should be able to minimize the loss.  Paulk is expected to get the start even though he has sat out most of the spring due to injury.  The FNG Toquavius Gilchrist has been getting his shine on.  He is a JUCO transfer from Butler County Community College in Kansas.  I expect Akeem Auguste will be an all SEC Safety by the time the season is over.  He has the speed and the talent, if only he was a little bit taller….(no Skee-Lo singing please)…He’s only 5’10” and 186 but I think he makes up for that with his desire, ability, and athleticism.  Travian Robertson and Ladi Ajiboye should be a force to be reckoned with at the DT spot.  They have the experience and should really be vocal leaders for our defense.  Cliff Matthews is expected to be an absolute STUD at DE.  I hope so, this is his senior year and I have always like his attitude. I hope he lives up to my hype.



On to the area that has my least amount of confidence….coaches.  I like them all, I just think that maybe there is an ego or two getting in the way of success.  Word on the streets around 5 points  is that Spurrier is going to be the head play-caller.  We may get to see the fire side to this “Cock-n-Fire” plan of ours.  The biggest responsibility lands on the shoulders of Shawn Elliot.  Our entire season lies in his ability.  If he can coach these OL boys up and get us some time in the backfield and an occasional hole up front…then watch out.  That SEC East title will be ours.  We have a brutal schedule….seven SEC Conference games in a row.  I know, you don’t want me to throw the “SEC is the greatest conference in the world” rag around, but I’ll bet you this.  I’ll bet that no matter who you pull for, no matter who your squad is…I’ll bet that you don’t want to face seven SEC teams in a row…even if Vandy is one of them.



I believe that  we are on the brink of something very, very special at the University of South Carolina.  It’s been a long time coming but I belive that the train is pulling up to the Cock-A-Boose as we speak.  It started a few years ago, with the hiring of Spurrier and the recruitment of some REAL talent.  This may be the year that we put it all together.  The right attitudes, the right coaching methods, the right coaches, the right decisions, the right circumstances.  We just might be able to shock some folks.  We have a VERY real shot at winning the SEC East.  We have an outside chance to win the SEC outright.  We have a dream of winning the National Championship.  Right now it is just a dream, but you never know.  Think back to a couple of weeks ago.  There was a scrappy little Gamecock baseball team that everyone called “persistent.”  Today, they call that very same baseball team….National Champions.  (still feel good to say it)