In-Depth Look: South Carolina Gamecocks

Last time, we looked at the SEC overall. I predicted that Georgia and Auburn would meet in
Atlanta for the SEC title game.

Also, I predicted South Carolina would finish 3rd in the division. Continuing with the local teams (last time I looked at Clemson) I'd like to take a closer look at the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Certainty
What will be certain about this squad that started out hot last season, going 6-1 and catapaulted into the Top 10, but fell off after a demoralizing lost to Vanderbilt, and finished the season 6-6 and at home for the bowl season?

One thing is that the style will be different on the defense and special teams. Spurrier lost (booted) Tyrone Nix to Ole Miss to help out Houston Nutt, and replaced him with former Mississippi State defensive coordinator, and former Citadel man, Ellis Johnson. Also, Spurrier stole Ray Richleski from Maryland to shore up a special teams that allowed multiple blocked punts and field goals at the end of the season.

Spurrier hopes that fundamentals and assingments will be more well played under Johnson and Richleski (who will also coach tight ends). The early prognosis, spring ball, seems to indicate that this will happen with, what Spurrier calls, his best looking defense in his short time at Carolina.

But what should be the strenghts of this 08-09 team?

Strengths
1-Defense:
The South Carolina defense, more precisely the run defense, was non-existent at best near the end of the season, and made Heisman campaign makers for Arkansas' Darren McFadden, and last year's winner, Gator QB Tim Tebow.

Johnson looks to play more assignment ball, and utilize the speed of the defense. Also, key players that were injured last year return. Nose guard Nathan Pepper, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, and the centerpiece of the defense, linebacker Jasper Brinkley, all return.

Also, All Conference man Eric Norwood as been moved to linebacker, while former linebacker Cliff Matthews has been moved to his natural position of defensive end.

Although run stuffer Kenrick Ellis was dismissed for weight issues, the run D should improve under Johnson, and the pass D should stay tough with Munnerlyn, hard hitting safety Emmanuel Cook, and ball hawks Mark Barnes and Chris Culliver (both former wide receivers).

2-Skill position players
USC has probably its best group of skill guys under Spurrier since his arrival. Leader Kenny McKinley will lead the charge, while up-and-comer Dion Lecorn looks to be a second option in the passing game.

Tight ends Jared Cook and Wes Saunders look to add a prescense over the middle, while running back Mike Davis returns for a senior season, with highly touted Brian Maddox hot on his heels.

The real question is though, can that top wide receiver class that was brought in for 2007, prove that it is the real deal and step up with the likes of Jason Barnes, Joe Hills, and Matt Clements?
Also, will the tight ends become better blockers under Ryschleski?

3-Steve Spurrier
Call it what you will, but Steve Spurrier is still a revered name in coaching circles with his deadly passing attack. His ability to get a lot out of nothing his first two years was an accomplishment, but fell off last season for unknown reasons.

Spurrier set out to win the SEC at USC, and if he can win a title at Duke, he can surely do it in the toughest divion in the toughest conference in college football.

Weaknesses
Still the Gamecocks face weakness in their armor.
1-Offensive Line
The line under coach John Hunt has been average at best, but mostly sub-par. Experience isn't an issue. Now it is talent and who can be "mean and nasty" as Spurrier says offensive lineman should be. Garrett Anderson and Seaver Brown are fighting for the center position, while the left guard slot is wide open. The only true certainties on the line is right guard Heath Batchelor and right tackle Justin Sorenson.

Left tackle is an issue simply because Jamon Meredith is out the first two games. Backups Quinton Richardson and Hutch Eckerson look to be the most likely to fill the void, but what will happen when Meredith returns.

I think Meredith moves to left guard if either Eckerson or Richardson do well enough, creating a line of Eckerson (LT), Meredith (LG), Anderson (C), Batchelor (RG), and Sorenson (RT).

2-Quarterback
The Blake Mitchell era is over. Now it is up to someone to take over the offense. Junior Tommy Beecher was named the starter after spring ball, and sophomore Chris Smelley, who went 4-2 last season, seems to be having confidence issues.

Also, Stephen Garcia, the most famous QB never to take a snap at USC, returns tomorrow (Aug. 1) but will be no higher than 3 on the depth chart.

Smelley has shown he has the tools, while Beecher has the coaches confidence, while Garcia has the hype and potential.

Beecher should hold onto the job through NC State and Vanderbilt, and depending on those performances, will dictate who leads the offense into the all important Georgia game.

Prediction
USC faces a pretty favorable schedule with games against a rebuilding NC State, and revenge game agaisnt Vandy, Wofford, UAB, a really rebuilding Ole Miss team, a rebuilding Kentucky team who can't seem to keep their QBs out of cop cars, a rebuilding Arkansas team, and a retooling LSU team.

The tough games will be, as always, Georgia, Tennesse, Florida, LSU, and Clemson.
I don't think they have what it takes this year to cool off the Bulldogs, but they can beat Tennessee, and LSU (but I think they split those games). The Florida game will be in the swamp, and very hard environment to win in.
Then the travle to Clemson to take on the Palmetto State rival, which is a toss up as usual.

at NC State (W)
at Vanderbilt (W)
Georgia (L)
Wofford (W)
UAB (W)
at Ole Miss (W)
at Kentucky (W)
LSU (W)
Tenn. (W)
Arkansas (W)
at Florida (L)
at Clemson (Toss up)

I say if Carolina can win 8-9 games and win a New Years Day Bowl game (Outback anyone?) then I think you can call this season a success as a stepping stone to USC advancing their cause to compete in the SEC East, and they should make some noise with a 8-9 win season this year, to a run at the divison in '09.