2010 South Carolina Football Predictions
After getting off to a promising 5-1 start, the South Carolina Gamecocks lost five of their last seven games to finish the 2009 season 7-6. And they didn’t just lose those games, they lost them badly. All five of those losses came by double digits. Despite last year’s collapse, there is plenty of optimism heading into the 2010 season, largely because SEC East rivals Florida, Georgia and Tennessee must all break in new quarterbacks. That’s one position where the Gamecocks should be set. Quarterback Stephen Garcia was the SEC’s second-leading passer in 2009, and he can improve on last year’s numbers if the offensive line gives him more time to throw. Last year, South Carolina tied with LSU for the most sacks allowed in the SEC (37). Under Steve Spurrier South Carolina has been competitive, but it has been unable to break through with a conference title. That could all change this season.
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Offense: South Carolina was one of the worst offensive teams in the SEC last year. The Gamecocks finished next to last in scoring offense, averaging just 20.6 points per game, and No. 9 in total offense, racking up only 347.4 yards per game. Led by Garcia, the passing game was the lone bright spot. The Gamecocks ranked No. in the SEC in passing offense with a 226.2 yards per game average. Garcia was one of the top two passers in the league, throwing for 2,862 yards and 17 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He did all that despite running for his life behind one of the worst offensive lines in the SEC. Spurrier has come right out and said that his quarterback and his line will have to play well for the Gamecocks to have a big year. They would also benefit from a better running game. South Carolina has been the worst rushing team in the SEC three years in a row, but there is hope that highly regarded freshman Marcus Lattimore can change that. Through the air, Alshon Jeffery is the top playmaker. He is coming off a 46-catch, 763-yard, six-touchdown season.
Defense: With seven starters back, South Carolina should once again be one of the best defensive football teams in the SEC. Last year, it ranked No. 3 in total defense (15th nationally), allowing only 300.7 yards per game. End Cliff Matthews and tackle Ladi Ajiboye are two players to watch up front. Matthews has a great motor, and he used that motor to record seven sacks in 2009. Ajiboye is one of the better interior lineman in the East. Shaq Wilson was a force at the middle linebacker spot, but defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson feels he can be even more of a force on the outside. After losing Eric Norwood, the Gamecocks are hoping Wilson can emerge as a strong pass rusher in Johnson’s blitz packages. With a deep and experienced set of defensive backs returning, S.C. should be able to duplicate its strong 2009 pass defense when it held opponents to just 163.0 passing yards per game (8th nationally).
Prediction: 3rd SEC East – I wouldn’t be surprised if the Gamecocks found a way to finally reach the SEC title game, but it’s not going to be easy. They will have a critical game with Georgia right off the bat on September 11. Then, they will have to play at Florida on November 13. South Carolina lost to both East rivals last season, but it also played them both pretty tough. Spurrier’s history at South Carolina tells me there will be another late season collapse, but I hope the Ol’ Ball Coach will finally prove me wrong. College football odds makers have listed South Carolina at +300 to win the SEC East.
Make sure you check out how I have the rest of the league shaping up in my 2010 SEC football predictions. Find out which schools I have winning each of the FBS conferences in my 2010 college football predictions preview.
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