Pre-Season Preview: South Carolina

South Carolina Gamecocks
Head Coach- Steve Spurrier
55-35 Record at South Carolina in 7 seasons
197-74 Overall in 22 seasons



Review of 2011 Season

Last season was one to remember in Columbia as Steve Spurrier's crew put together a solid 11-2 record. The finished second in the SEC East, dominated arch-rival Clemson for the third straight year and defeated Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl 30-13. This season should be another special one for the Gamecock nation as they look to pick up from where the left off last season. Led by QB Conner Shaw, who Spurrier has praised this off-season as one of the best he's had, the Gamecocks are in a great position to make a run for the SEC East again this season. The loss of Alshon Jeffery on offense hurts, but the return of a healthy, stronger, and reportedly faster Marcus Lattimore should keep Defensive Coordinators up at night all season long.

Key Losses/Key Returners 

The Gamecocks lost a few key play makers in WR Alshon Jefferey, DB Stephon Gilmore, DL Melvin Ingram and SPR Antonio Allen. Arguably the biggest of those will be Jeffrey who made spectacular catches all year long and made Garcia look great ( at times) on what actually were some very poor passes. WR Ace Sanders will likely carry the load in the receiving department. Defense will miss Allen, Gilmore and Ingram as well. They all are in the NFL which goes to show you just how talented these guys were. On the bright side, Marcus Lattimore will return to the backfield after missing the latter half of last season due to a leg injury. Coaches say he's is stronger and quicker than before and has been making great cuts in practice and will be ready to go when they take on Vanderbilt to kick off the college football season Thursday, August 31st at Vanderbilt. It will be interesting to see if South Carolina will be able to ride him all season long. Not many guys can have 30+ carries a game and be productive and healthy for an entire season. It will be something to keep an eye on. After coming in late in the season after the dismissal of the troublesome Steven Garcia, Conner Shaw looks to lead the Gamecocks into his first full season as the starter. He showed promise last year with a great arm and mobility as well as solid decision making. On the defensive side, Lorenzo Ward takes over as defensive coordinator for Ellis Johnson, who is now the head coach for Southern Mississippi. Offenses will face a tall task in blocking linemen Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney, who will also see some time at the LB position this fall.

2012 Schedule 

Aug 30th    Vanderbilt (Thursday night)
Sept. 8       East Carolina
Sept. 15     Alabama-Birmingham
Sept. 22     Missouri
Sept. 29     Kentucky
Oct. 6         Georgia*
Oct. 13       LSU*
Oct. 20       Florida*
Oct. 27       Tennessee
Nov. 10      Arkansas*
Nov. 17      Wofford
Nov. 24      Clemson

*-denotes key game
Home games in BOLD

Schedule Analysis 

Winning in the SEC is never an easy task. Spurrier himself said it best, "Its easier to win the National Championship than the SEC...just ask Nick Saban" Hard to argue the statement after LSU captured the SEC title last season but fell to Alabama when it mattered most in the BCS Championship game. South Carolina hopes to return to the SEC title game again this year after being walloped there in 2010 56-17 by Cam Newton and company and having to sit out last years game despite having a untarnished record in within East Division play. However, if the Gamecocks want to make it back to Atlanta, they will have to somehow survive a hellacious October. They battle SEC foe Georgia at home, but back-to-back trips to LSU and Florida will be a daunting task. They return home for a showdown with Tennessee before they enter their bye week. There will be little time for rest though as the Razorbacks, who have had Carolina's number recently, travel to Columbia Nov. 10th in a game that will without a doubt have heavy conference title game implications. The Gamecocks have the potential for a solid start to the year which should have them pushing for a Top 5 ranking. The month of October will tell us if they are worthy of that ranking and if they are ready to take that next step.



My Thoughts 

The Gamecocks will win nine or more games again this season if they can stay healthy. Opening up with Vandy on the road on a Thursday night has the potential to be tricky, but I believe the return of #21 added to the ability of Shaw to make things happen with his not only his arm, but his feet as well, will wear down Vanderbilt as well as other opponents this season. As much as I hate to say it as a Clemson fan, this team scares me. After three straight beatings from these guys I'm sickened at the fact that it could very likely be four straight after this season. That game is a long way from now and anything can happen but this team is more than capable of silencing Death Valley for a second straight trip. The Gamecocks have solid players at the skill positions and will get every team's best shot. Can they handle the pressure? I think for the most part the can. Will they? Well that's another question. Only time will tell, but as for me and the time being, I would not be surprised to see South Carolina be 6-0 and in the top 5 when the travel to Baton Rouge to take on LSU in that other Death Valley October 13th.