Photo by Brandon Jones, TexAgs
Texas A&M Football
Spurrier's best Gamecock team yet? It's possible
South Carolina has been remarkably consistent the past three football seasons.
And that has been so frustrating for the Gamecocks.
They’ve posted 11 victories each season, won bowl games and have beaten their primary competition in the Southeastern Conference East Division.
Yet, in each of the past three seasons the Gamecocks failed to win the East even though they defeated the team that did.
The Gamecocks would appear capable of posting another 11-win season this year. Although quarterback Connor Shaw has departed, projected starter Dylan Thompson has shown well when he’s played over the past three seasons. Also, the offense features a veteran line, RB Mike Davis — a 1,000-yard rusher — and speedy receivers Shaq Roland and Damiere Byrd.
Defensively, the Gamecocks are experienced at linebacker and in the secondary. However, the defensive line is a point of concern after losing three starters, including All-American Jadeveon Clowney.
Still, there is enough talent on hand that this could be one of coach Steve Spurrier’s best teams in Columbia.
If the defensive line issues don’t become a major problem, the Gamecocks could end their frustration and win the SEC East.
In fact, they could win the SEC championship.
2013 record: 11-2
Returning starters:
Position of concern: The defensive line that was so hyped a year ago is now depleted. Gone are DE Jadeveon Clowney, the first player taken in the NFL Draft, All-American DT Kelcy Quarles and DE Chaz Sutton, who signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Only DT J.T. Surratt remains up front. The Gamecocks are also undersized at end, which has led to some consideration of switching at times to a 3-4 alignment.
Time is now: Dylan Thompson isn’t the average new senior starting quarterback. He had frequent opportunities to play when previous starter Connor Shaw was injured. But now Thompson takes over as the full-time starter. His performance as a reserve and spot starter was solid, but he’s going to have to be more accurate than his 55.0 career completion percentage.
Emerging newcomer: Although South Carolina is set at linebacker, look for incoming freshman Brice Allen-Williams to be a factor. An early commitment, the Gamecocks held off Georgia and Alabama to sign Allen-Williams. He was a four-star prospect who played in the US Army All-American game. His presence and ability is among the reasons South Carolina has toyed with the idea of complementing its usual 4-2-5 with the 3-4.
South Carolina has become a consistent contender in the SEC East and its bid to win the division will depend heavily on a fast start. The Gamecocks face A&M, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Missouri before October. Those teams combined to go 38-15 last season. South Carolina’s other four conference opponents were a combined 23-27.
2014 schedule:
And that has been so frustrating for the Gamecocks.
They’ve posted 11 victories each season, won bowl games and have beaten their primary competition in the Southeastern Conference East Division.
Yet, in each of the past three seasons the Gamecocks failed to win the East even though they defeated the team that did.
The Gamecocks would appear capable of posting another 11-win season this year. Although quarterback Connor Shaw has departed, projected starter Dylan Thompson has shown well when he’s played over the past three seasons. Also, the offense features a veteran line, RB Mike Davis — a 1,000-yard rusher — and speedy receivers Shaq Roland and Damiere Byrd.
Defensively, the Gamecocks are experienced at linebacker and in the secondary. However, the defensive line is a point of concern after losing three starters, including All-American Jadeveon Clowney.
Still, there is enough talent on hand that this could be one of coach Steve Spurrier’s best teams in Columbia.
If the defensive line issues don’t become a major problem, the Gamecocks could end their frustration and win the SEC East.
In fact, they could win the SEC championship.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Coach: Steve Spurrier2013 record: 11-2
Returning starters:
- Offense (8): RB Mike Davis, TE Rory Anderson, WR Damiere Byrd, WR Shaq Roland, T Corey Robinson, G A.J. Cann, C Clayton Stadnik, T Brandon Shell
- Defense (6): DT J.T. Surratt, LB Sharrod Golightly, LB Kaiwan Lewis, CB Marcquis Roberts, S Kadetrix Marcus, S Brison Williams
- Special teams (3): KOR/PR Pharoh Cooper, PK Elliott Fry, P Tyler Hull
Position of concern: The defensive line that was so hyped a year ago is now depleted. Gone are DE Jadeveon Clowney, the first player taken in the NFL Draft, All-American DT Kelcy Quarles and DE Chaz Sutton, who signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Only DT J.T. Surratt remains up front. The Gamecocks are also undersized at end, which has led to some consideration of switching at times to a 3-4 alignment.
Time is now: Dylan Thompson isn’t the average new senior starting quarterback. He had frequent opportunities to play when previous starter Connor Shaw was injured. But now Thompson takes over as the full-time starter. His performance as a reserve and spot starter was solid, but he’s going to have to be more accurate than his 55.0 career completion percentage.
Emerging newcomer: Although South Carolina is set at linebacker, look for incoming freshman Brice Allen-Williams to be a factor. An early commitment, the Gamecocks held off Georgia and Alabama to sign Allen-Williams. He was a four-star prospect who played in the US Army All-American game. His presence and ability is among the reasons South Carolina has toyed with the idea of complementing its usual 4-2-5 with the 3-4.
Schedule analysis
The Gamecocks drop Arkansas and Mississippi State as SEC West opponents and replace them with Texas A&M and Auburn. Well, at least they didn’t face those teams last season when Johnny Manziel was at A&M and Auburn was on the way to winning the SEC championship.South Carolina has become a consistent contender in the SEC East and its bid to win the division will depend heavily on a fast start. The Gamecocks face A&M, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Missouri before October. Those teams combined to go 38-15 last season. South Carolina’s other four conference opponents were a combined 23-27.
2014 schedule:
- Aug. 28 vs. Texas A&M
- Sept. 6 vs. East Carolina
- Sept. 13 vs. Georgia
- Sept. 20 at Vanderbilt
- Sept. 27 vs. Missouri
- Oct. 4 at Kentucky
- Oct. 18 vs. Furman
- Oct. 25 at Auburn
- Nov. 1 vs. Tennessee
- Nov. 15 at Florida
- Nov. 22 vs. South Alabama
- Nov. 29 at Clemson
Never miss the latest news from TexAgs!
Join our free email list
SPONSORED BY
