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2009 South Carolina Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on July 29, 2009

south carolina 72909 The Gamecocks got off to a strong 7-3 start in 2008, but their season ended on a sour note when they were blown out by Florida and Clemson, and then Iowa in the Outback Bowl. What’s in store for the Gamecocks in 2009 you ask? Get my take in this college football predictions season preview. South Carolina is listed at +8,000 to win the 2009 BCS title.

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Offense – The South Carolina offense did not scare anyone last season when it averaged only 20.8 points per game (96th nationally) and 316.5 yards per game (97th nationally). On top of that, it was a turnover prone unit. The Gamecocks finished with a minus-11 turnover margin to rank 107th out of 119 FBS teams. The inconsistent play at the quarterback position was a big reason why the South Carolina offense was thought to have underachieved. In fact, South Carolina quarterbacks combined to throw 27 interceptions a year ago, which was more than any other team in the nation. But head coach Steve Spurrier feels much better about the QB position this season. Chris Smelley has transferred to Alabama to play baseball and that opens the door for Stephen Garcia to be the full-time guy. Garcia completed 53 percent of his passed for 832 yards and six touchdown strikes while splitting time and also ran for 198 yards and two more scores. The talent is there and Spurrier thinks Garcia can be a good one if he dedicates himself. You either have to be able to run to set up the pass or pass to set up the run. Unfortunately, the Gamecocks could do neither last fall. South Carolina has featured the worst running game in the SEC the past two seasons, one that averaged only 94.1 yards per game in 2008 (112th nationally). The Gamecocks must improve in that area to help take some of the pressure off their young signal caller. North and south runner Brian Maddox is expected to be the starter with shifty freshman Jarvis Giles also expected to see carries. Wide receiver Jason Barnes has big shoes to fill as he looks to replace Kenny McKinley as the team’s no. 1 wideout, and a line which gave up 39 sacks in 2008 must show improvement.

Defense – How did the Gamecocks finish above .500 last season with as bad as their offense was you ask? Yes, the defense was that good. South Carolina allowed only 291.9 yards per game (13th nationally) and was the second-best team in the country against the pass (159.2 yards per game allowed). South Carolina boasts one of the fastest defenses in the league once again, led by linebacker Eric Norwood. Norwood finished with 75 stops last season, nine were sacks, and is the school’s all-time leader in tackles for loss. We can expect to see him on the All-SEC 1st-Team come season’s end. For the Gamecocks defense to be as good as it was in 2008, the secondary will have to make up for the loss of several key players. Starting safeties Chris Culliver and Darian Stewart are back and can be relied upon. Culliver is coming off a three-interception season. The team is expected to lean on true freshman Stephen Gilmore and sophomore Akeem Auguste at the corners.

Prediction: 5th SEC East – Spurrier has an outstanding career coaching record of 170-62-2, but he is just 28-22 in four seasons at South Carolina. The defense will remain solid, likely not as good as last year though, but the offense is not ready to perform at a level capable of competing for a Division championship. South Carolina is listed at +1,400 to win the SEC East Division.

The football odds makers don’t stand a chance this season against Jimmy Boyd’s expert football picks!

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