SEC Football: South Carolina Outlook for 2008

After starting last season 6-1 and peaking in the National Polls at #6, to call the Gamecocks final record of 6-6 "disappointing" would certainly be an understatement. 

Losing five in a row to finish a season that started with such promise is bad no matter how you dissect it--but throw in an OT loss in Knoxville to the Volunteers and a last second field goal by arch rival Clemson, and Gamecock fans were left completely "kicked in the junk."

So, what does South Carolina do in 2008?

Let's start at quarterback.  The Gamecocks lost a senior with wins over Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee on his resume as a starter.  No other former Gamecock QB can say that. 

However, that same guy (Blake Mitchell) struggled to stay out of Spurrier's doghouse, whether it be by missing too many summer school classes or punching a bouncer at a local bar. 

So, there is an argument that the team will be better off with either Chris Smelley (4-2 as a started in 2007) or Tommy Beecher as the QB in 2008. 

Smelley had a perfect opportunity to firmly grasp the starting job in the Spring, but he left much to be desired in the Spring game, and Spurrier named the redshirt junior Beecher the starting quarterback at the conclusion of Spring practice. 

Neither Beecher nor Smelley possess outstanding athletic ability, but neither did Danny Wuerffell, and the "Ole Ball Coach" had just a little success with him as his QB when he was down in Gainesville.  

Luckily, the qb's have All-SEC senior WR Kenny McKinley to throw to, along with outstanding tight ends in junior Jared Cook and sophomore Wesley Saunders.

Spurrier will be able to create serious match-up problems for opponents with Cook and Saunders if the quarterbacks can get them the football. 

Look for Beecher and Smelley both to get snaps early in the year as Spurrier tries to get a feel for which one gives the Gamecocks the best chance to win. 

However, there is a " Wild-Card" in the form of redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia (currently suspended until August 15th).  

If he does what has been asked of him and is reinstated to the team, Garcia, who is the most athletic and has the strongest arm of the three, could be the starter by the time Georgia comes to Columbia the third week of the season.

The running game lost Cory Boyd, the 2007 team's only player drafted by the NFL (hence, a young team that lacked senior leadership and crumbled down the stretch).  

Boyd was an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield and ran in a punishing, physical manner, but lacked the breakaway speed to be a home-run threat. 

Senior Mike Davis is the team's leading returning rusher, and in his career has proved to be adequate in the red-zone and between the tackles, but like Boyd, lacks breakaway speed. Sophomore Brian Maddox should be able to spell Davis at times, but also is not a speed back. 

It is clear the Gamecocks need to continue to hit the recruiting trail to find the type of running back that strikes fear in defensive coordinators the way Knowshon Moreno of Georgia does.  Granted, running backs like Moreno don't come around very often.

The only thing that can be said about the offensive line is that the unit returns four of five starters, and the returning starters better play better than they did last year.

In terms of question marks, those are the most obvious. 

Clearly not a weakness, however, is the Gamecock defense, which should be one of the toughest in the SEC.

If you want to get picky, you could say 2007 Preseason 1st Team All-SEC middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley is coming off of a season-ending knee injury, but his play in Spring ball should have ended any thoughts of Brinkley not picking up where he left off. 

Just six months after the injury he suffered during the LSU game, he is a lean 270 lbs (that's right a lean 270 lbs) and was already dropping back in the passing game and covering tight ends and receivers. 

Brinkley has NFL size at linebacker written all over him and he should anchor the South Carolina defense in 2008 the way he did during his junior campaign in 2006.

The secondary returns every starter from a group that was one of the SEC leaders in passing defense. Juniors Captain Munnerlyn and Emanuel Cook both made a name for themselves in 2007.  

In 2008, this secondary will add depth in the form of names like sophomore Chris Culliverand redshirt freshman Mark Barnes.  Both Culliver and Barnes are currently second-string at safety, but will see significant snaps in the Fall. 

And remember this name--Akeem Auguste.   Auguste arrived in Columbia in January, as an early enrollee from prep school. 

From the very first spring practice, Auguste proved that he was not intimidated from the challenge of battling Seniors Carlos Thomasand Stoney Woodson for the starting cornerback job opposite Captain Munnerlyn. 

On multiple occasions, Auguste showed an uncanny ability to break on the ball and get in the passing lane.  Auguste appears to have the potential to one day continue the recent tradition of Gamecock defensive backs in the NFL. 

In regards to the defensive line:  The group returns 10 of 12 on the 2007 three-deep.  Sophomore Cliff Matthews has moved from outside linebacker to his natural position of defensive end.  This kid is fun to watch because his motor never stops.  He should get to know a few opposing QB's this year.

Put all this together with a kicker who may have the strongest leg in the country in senior Ryan Succop and the Gamecocks should be competitive in the SEC in 2008. 

Will they win the league championship, or even be Florida's toughest competition in the SEC East, like Lee Corso said a few weeks ago?

Not likely. 

Could they beat Georgia again this year and upset someone like LSU in Columbia? 

Yes. 

In the toughest conference, in the toughest division in college football, South Carolina still does not quite have the talent to win the SEC.  But they are getting closer......

Final 2008 Win-Loss Projection: 8-4