Season Wrap-Up: Clemson and South Carolina
We can put a wrap on the 2009-2010 season for both teams from South Carolina.
Both teams showed signs of improvement, and showed areas for improvement.
I'll take a look at both schools, give a grade to their seasons, areas of improvement, and outlook for 2010-11.
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers did well under first year coach Dabo Swinney. They did something they never did under Bowden, punch a ticket for the ACC Title game. They also featured an electric duo in CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford.
Looking at the season, they beat almost all the teams they were suppose to, but the loss to Maryland is a glaring black mark on the record. The two losses to Georgia Tech also hurt, because one cost them the ACC title and a shot at the Orange Bowl.
In fact, if Clemson could've beat South Carolina, this might have been considered one of the best seasons in Clemson history.
Also, QB Kyle Parker improved throughout the year using the weapons he had. The defense was good as well, led by DE Ricky Sapp, LB Kavell Connor, CB Chris Chancellor and S Deandre McDaniel.
But, the lack of a play threat outside of Spiller and Ford hurt the Tigers. TE Michael Palmer played well, but the Tigers never really had a possession deep threat at WR.
Overall, good season, but it still could've been better.
Grade: B
Outlook
Clemson looks to be the perennial team to beat in their division. Florida State is still adjusting to Jimbo Fisher, building programs such as NC State and Maryland, and recovering programs in Wake Forest and Boston College.
But a lot of Clemson's success next year depends on if Kyle Parker, and that depends on the MLB draft. If not, it will be on R-Fr. Tajh Boyd. Also, the offense is losing the bulk of their offensive production with Spiller, Ford and Palmer. The Tigers will need guys such as RBs Andre Ellington and Jaime Harper, WRs Xavier Dye and Marquan Jones, and TE Dwayne Allen to step up. They also need the Oline to continue to improve.
Defensively, they will be replacing Sapp, Connor, LB Kevin Alexander, CBs Chancellor and Crezdon Butler, and S Sadat Chambers. Their small recruiting class from a year ago may hurt them, but they are signing a much larger class for 2010, and a few of those players may start as freshman, especially at cornerback.
Overall though, I like Clemson's chances next year. They start the season with Troy, which should be a tune-up before the season really gets going. They will play Auburn, another decent ACC schedule, and end the season with South Carolina. Squashed in there will be a gimme game with an in-state school.
I'd say Clemson can repeat as ACC Champs, if they can find some offensive weapons, and keep the defense strong. If it is a down year, I see no worse than a 3rd place finish in the division.
South Carolina
Has there been a more up-and-down season in college football. A team that started out scoring 7 points against NC State, exploding in a loss to Georgia, beating the number 4 team in the country (Ole Miss), not showing up for games against Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Tennessee, pushing the Florida Gators to the limit, beating their in-state rivals soundly, and then laying an absolute egg against UConn in a bowl game.
QB Stephen Garcia showed vast improvement from last year, and will look to become the leader of the offense next year. Also, the offensive line showed signs of improvment before flopping in Birmingham, and some young specialists were found in WRs Alshoun Jeffery, Tori Gurley, DL Moore, and RB Kenny Miles. Still the Oline is a sore spot that new Oline coach Shawn Elliott (App State) will look to continue to shore up.
The defense was the backbone, led by All-American LB Eric Norwood, and returns playmakers such as DEs Cliff Matthews and Clifton Geathers, LB Rodney Paulk, CB Stephon Gilmore and S Chris Culliver.
Overall, it was a season that met expectations from the preseason, but the way the team came out and talent it has, and the lack of consistency makes this season a sour pill to swallow for Gamecock faithful.
Grade: C
Outlook
The "Fun n Gun" still hasn't arrived in Columbia, but the defense has. Spurrier has managed to find his QB, WRs, and RBs (and hope to add RB Marcus Lattimore) but still haven't found an Oline, and that has been the biggest problem for Spurrier in his 5 seasons at USC.
But he has brought a defense together that can keep his offense in games, but the Gamecocks need points, and next year will have to show vast offensive improvement.
Outlook actually looks good for USC next season. Georgia is rebuilding, as is Tennessee, Kentucky is still a step below USC, and Vanderbilt is still Vanderbilt. Also, Florida is losing a lot of talent to graduation and early departure, which means USC will have its best shot to make a name for itself, but they have to show up every game and give 100% effort.
If USC can sure up the lines, their offense will click, and their D will be ok, but will need multiple guys to step up for Norwood and S Darian Stewart. Also, they need to use the Wildcat on offense with Gilmore more.
Overall, I'm stumped. If the Oline can improve, USC should have a breakout season next year, but until the line gets right, USC can expect another 7 win season. Never before have 5 guys held the key to a season like the 5 spots on the Gamecock Oline will next season.
Both teams showed signs of improvement, and showed areas for improvement.
I'll take a look at both schools, give a grade to their seasons, areas of improvement, and outlook for 2010-11.
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers did well under first year coach Dabo Swinney. They did something they never did under Bowden, punch a ticket for the ACC Title game. They also featured an electric duo in CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford.
Looking at the season, they beat almost all the teams they were suppose to, but the loss to Maryland is a glaring black mark on the record. The two losses to Georgia Tech also hurt, because one cost them the ACC title and a shot at the Orange Bowl.
In fact, if Clemson could've beat South Carolina, this might have been considered one of the best seasons in Clemson history.
Also, QB Kyle Parker improved throughout the year using the weapons he had. The defense was good as well, led by DE Ricky Sapp, LB Kavell Connor, CB Chris Chancellor and S Deandre McDaniel.
But, the lack of a play threat outside of Spiller and Ford hurt the Tigers. TE Michael Palmer played well, but the Tigers never really had a possession deep threat at WR.
Overall, good season, but it still could've been better.
Grade: B
Outlook
Clemson looks to be the perennial team to beat in their division. Florida State is still adjusting to Jimbo Fisher, building programs such as NC State and Maryland, and recovering programs in Wake Forest and Boston College.
But a lot of Clemson's success next year depends on if Kyle Parker, and that depends on the MLB draft. If not, it will be on R-Fr. Tajh Boyd. Also, the offense is losing the bulk of their offensive production with Spiller, Ford and Palmer. The Tigers will need guys such as RBs Andre Ellington and Jaime Harper, WRs Xavier Dye and Marquan Jones, and TE Dwayne Allen to step up. They also need the Oline to continue to improve.
Defensively, they will be replacing Sapp, Connor, LB Kevin Alexander, CBs Chancellor and Crezdon Butler, and S Sadat Chambers. Their small recruiting class from a year ago may hurt them, but they are signing a much larger class for 2010, and a few of those players may start as freshman, especially at cornerback.
Overall though, I like Clemson's chances next year. They start the season with Troy, which should be a tune-up before the season really gets going. They will play Auburn, another decent ACC schedule, and end the season with South Carolina. Squashed in there will be a gimme game with an in-state school.
I'd say Clemson can repeat as ACC Champs, if they can find some offensive weapons, and keep the defense strong. If it is a down year, I see no worse than a 3rd place finish in the division.
South Carolina
Has there been a more up-and-down season in college football. A team that started out scoring 7 points against NC State, exploding in a loss to Georgia, beating the number 4 team in the country (Ole Miss), not showing up for games against Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Tennessee, pushing the Florida Gators to the limit, beating their in-state rivals soundly, and then laying an absolute egg against UConn in a bowl game.
QB Stephen Garcia showed vast improvement from last year, and will look to become the leader of the offense next year. Also, the offensive line showed signs of improvment before flopping in Birmingham, and some young specialists were found in WRs Alshoun Jeffery, Tori Gurley, DL Moore, and RB Kenny Miles. Still the Oline is a sore spot that new Oline coach Shawn Elliott (App State) will look to continue to shore up.
The defense was the backbone, led by All-American LB Eric Norwood, and returns playmakers such as DEs Cliff Matthews and Clifton Geathers, LB Rodney Paulk, CB Stephon Gilmore and S Chris Culliver.
Overall, it was a season that met expectations from the preseason, but the way the team came out and talent it has, and the lack of consistency makes this season a sour pill to swallow for Gamecock faithful.
Grade: C
Outlook
The "Fun n Gun" still hasn't arrived in Columbia, but the defense has. Spurrier has managed to find his QB, WRs, and RBs (and hope to add RB Marcus Lattimore) but still haven't found an Oline, and that has been the biggest problem for Spurrier in his 5 seasons at USC.
But he has brought a defense together that can keep his offense in games, but the Gamecocks need points, and next year will have to show vast offensive improvement.
Outlook actually looks good for USC next season. Georgia is rebuilding, as is Tennessee, Kentucky is still a step below USC, and Vanderbilt is still Vanderbilt. Also, Florida is losing a lot of talent to graduation and early departure, which means USC will have its best shot to make a name for itself, but they have to show up every game and give 100% effort.
If USC can sure up the lines, their offense will click, and their D will be ok, but will need multiple guys to step up for Norwood and S Darian Stewart. Also, they need to use the Wildcat on offense with Gilmore more.
Overall, I'm stumped. If the Oline can improve, USC should have a breakout season next year, but until the line gets right, USC can expect another 7 win season. Never before have 5 guys held the key to a season like the 5 spots on the Gamecock Oline will next season.
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