SEC East Title Contenders

Sep 20, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

…..South Carolina.

If the Ole Ball Coach is reading this he probably will want to put my face in front of his tee shot this afternoon on the golf course.  The only thing more awkward than Steve Spurrier’s golf swing is trying to play quarterback for Spurrier.  Connor Mitch is lined up to take over as the quarterback this year and that is about all we know.  Every facet of the USC offense is unknown.  Last year was supposed to be their year, yet they finished 7-6.  Four of their six losses came by 7 points or less, and two of those losses came in overtime (insert Kentucky fan screaming “one of those losses was to us, one of those losses was to us!”).

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The real problem last year was the defense.  South Carolina failed to score 20 or more points last year only once, and that was when they scored 17 in their loss to Clemson at the end of the year.  They return a ton of experienced players.  Only 2 starters on their listed depth chart are sophomores.  The other 9 starters are comprised of juniors and seniors.  One of those juniors is junior college defensive end transfer Marquavius Lewis.  Spurrier has had an eye for these defensive ends and, if Lewis can live up to the hype, the Gamecocks may have the pass rush that they didn’t have last year.

I have no doubt that Steve Spurrier is going to put out a solid offense.  Despite having so many returning defensive players, I still see the defense struggling mightily.  I told you that I heard you screaming UK fan.   Reminding me that you hung up 45 on this USC defense last year is the reason I’m picking South Carolina to finish 5th in the SEC East this year.

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