SEC Football: Breaking Down 2015 SEC Championship Odds
By Lee Wardlaw
Sep 13, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier directs his team against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
11. South Carolina Gamecocks (25/1)
After an unexpected flop in 2014, ‘Vegas will be slow to trust the Gamecocks, mainly because of last season’s defensive woes. New defensive coordinator Jon Hoke of the Chicago Bears give SC the chance for a major turnaround, but the question is if nine returning starters can learn the new system quickly and effectively.
On offense, spring discussion surrounded the battle for the starting quarterback position. The job is Connor Mitch’s to lose, a former blue-chipper who has drawn comparisons to former SC great Connor Shaw.
Mitch will be asked to get the ball in the hands of the athletic Pharaoh Cooper, the SEC’s top returning wide receiver. When he isn’t doing that, he’ll have two formidable runners to hand it to.
Senior Brandon Wilds has 1,277 career yards as a solid backup, and David Williams is a top recruit that has shown flashes of excellence.
Visor toss-up: You never know what you’re gonna’ get with ole’ Steve Spurrier at the helm, but the defense will need to improve if the Gamecocks are going to be in the championship conversation. Road trips at Georgia and Missouri in the early months will prove difficult, but things crank up a notch in November with back-to-back trips to Tennessee and Texas A&M. We won’t expect it, but Steve Spurrier could have a few surprises in store.
Next: Texas A&M