The South Carolina Gamecocks went 7-6 last season, such as a three-5 mark in SEC play. Head coach Steve Spurrier was brought here to resurrect this program, but he is just 35-28 in five seasons. With eight offensive and seven defensive starters back from a team that lost 7-20 to Connecticut in the Papajohns.com Bowl, this need to be a extremely motivated Gamecocks squad to commence the season.
Take a appear below for a preview of the offense and defense that South Carolina will be putting on the field this season. Want a more detailed preview of this conference? Take a look at our 2010 SEC football predictions write-up. South Carolina is +800 to win the SEC according to the college football odds.
Offense:
For the Gamecocks to improve on the woeful 20.6 points per game they scored a year ago, they ought to get better play from junior QB Stephen Garcia. He has had two years to grasp Spurrier’s system, and could be primed for a breakthrough 2010 campaign. To help out Garcia, the offensive line and running game need to improve. South Carolina finished dead last in rushing in 2009, and the offensive line has given up way too numerous sacks in recent seasons.
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Although Garcia threw for two,862 yards last year, he managed to total just 55 percent of his passes. With a far better effort on the ground, he would undoubtedly be much more effective as the opposition then wouldn’t be able to just pin their ears back and come right after him. Sophomore operating backs Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles figure to get the bulk of the carries, but freshman Marcus Lattimore is doing his greatest to get on the field following serving as South Carolina’s Mr. Football in high school last season, generating him 1 of the leading recruits in the country. Sophomore WR Alston Jeffery was a stud late last season, catching 41 balls over the team’s final eight games. Freshman Ace Sanders has large-time possible as a slot receiver. Junior Jason Barnes and sophomore Tori Gurley also will figure into the WR rotation.
Defense:
South Carolina has turn into and superb defensive team over the past couple of years. They gave up just 20.four points per game last year and 300.7 total yards per contest, with the latter ranking 15th in the nation. The secondary was the strength of this defense last year, giving up just 163. passing yards per game which ranked 8th in the country. 3 starters return at this level, led by sophomore CB Stephon Gilmore. He is primed for a big NFL career in the future. Akeem Auguste returns and will convert to safety, even though Chris Culliver is the third returning starter and he’ll swap locations with Auguste, moving to cornerback.
DE Cliff Matthews has proven himself as a solid pass rusher, but the Gamecocks need to locate someone opposite him. Devin Taylor is expected to get the nod. LB Shaq Wilson is, pound for pound, 1 of the toughest at his position in the SEC. He returns for his junior season, even though the Gamecocks get MLB Rodney Paulk back after tearing a knee ligament in the season-opener last year. His return is a massive boost to the linebackers.
SEC Prediction: 3rd East Division – At times, the Gamecocks looked like they could beat anyone last year. But at other times, such as their 7-20 loss to Connecticut, South Carolina seems to play to the level of their competition. With so much returning expertise and a solid recruiting class that functions RB Marcus Lattimore, the Gamecocks could take the subsequent step this season. The East is down a bit as many do not know what to expect from Florida or Georgia. So if Garcia can come into his own finally although also obtaining assist from the operating game and offensive line, the sky is the limit for the Gamecocks in 2010. I have them pegged at third location in this division but would not be surprised to seem them finish second or even first if a couple of issues go their way.
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