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The Plight of the USCe Fan -- Has the Window Closed?
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:30 pm
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:30 pm
We've bickered over the years, but I actually come in peace. It occurred to me just how frustrating it's had to have been the last 4 years.
2010: You get a taste of glory, win the East for the first time behind the legs of an absolute stud freshman RB in Lattimore and beat Bama at home. Yeah, the SECCG was ugly, but the program wasn't quite there yet. It was obvious the ceiling was about to come off though.
2011: Beat UGA, but then have a mind numbing loss at home to AU. Obviously, the Arky game was ugly, but that was on the road and it was Arky's best team since...well...it had been a while. UGA wins East. Devastating Lattimore injury.
2012: Not only do you beat UGA, but you trounce them. Legitimately looked like the best team in the country for a span. But the schedule doesn't match up well. After UGA you go to Red Stick and then to Gainesville. LSU was understandable, but I'm still not sure if anybody knows what the hell happened in Gainesville. Another devastating Lattimore injury.
2013: I think, as of today, you're probably the best team in the conference. You lose to UGA at home, but we were probably the best team in the conference at that juncture. You go on to beat Mizzou on the road and Clemson at home. You're the only team in the conference with 2 wins over teams currently ranked in the top 15 besides UGA. Honestly, Bama, AU, LSU, and aTm are all pretty fortunate they dodged you. But what in the actual frick happened up on ole Rocky Top? Without that loss, you're in a play in game for the MNC. Mind boggling, I'll have to rewatch tonight. I barely caught any of that game. The Clowney media circus couldn't have helped anything, but you give a little to get a lot with guys like that.
2014: Assuming Quarless and Clowney go pro, along with Sutton who is a SR, your DL is wiped out. Dylan Thompson is of course a serviceable replacement for Connor Shaw, but it's unlikely he posts a 21:1 TD to INT ratio. Anybody else going pro? Legree? Hampton? Cann? Robinson? You don't have many seniors, but it's certain that at least a couple guys leave early and the schedule gets more difficult. You play aTm, UGA, @ Vandy and Mizzou 4 of your first 5 games of the year without a bye week. And you don't get the benefit of extra prep time for UGA as in some years in the past. You also have to go to Auburn, Florida, and Clemson.
It's the golden era of Carolina football, so it couldn't have been all that bad, but you only win the East once with your weakest team of the 4. I've whined about our loss to Bama in the SECCG last year. I've whined about our injury situation that started from the first drive of the Clemson game this year. But my god, I'm almost counting my blessings after reviewing this.
In short, how frustrating has this been?
TLDR, I know
2010: You get a taste of glory, win the East for the first time behind the legs of an absolute stud freshman RB in Lattimore and beat Bama at home. Yeah, the SECCG was ugly, but the program wasn't quite there yet. It was obvious the ceiling was about to come off though.
2011: Beat UGA, but then have a mind numbing loss at home to AU. Obviously, the Arky game was ugly, but that was on the road and it was Arky's best team since...well...it had been a while. UGA wins East. Devastating Lattimore injury.
2012: Not only do you beat UGA, but you trounce them. Legitimately looked like the best team in the country for a span. But the schedule doesn't match up well. After UGA you go to Red Stick and then to Gainesville. LSU was understandable, but I'm still not sure if anybody knows what the hell happened in Gainesville. Another devastating Lattimore injury.
2013: I think, as of today, you're probably the best team in the conference. You lose to UGA at home, but we were probably the best team in the conference at that juncture. You go on to beat Mizzou on the road and Clemson at home. You're the only team in the conference with 2 wins over teams currently ranked in the top 15 besides UGA. Honestly, Bama, AU, LSU, and aTm are all pretty fortunate they dodged you. But what in the actual frick happened up on ole Rocky Top? Without that loss, you're in a play in game for the MNC. Mind boggling, I'll have to rewatch tonight. I barely caught any of that game. The Clowney media circus couldn't have helped anything, but you give a little to get a lot with guys like that.
2014: Assuming Quarless and Clowney go pro, along with Sutton who is a SR, your DL is wiped out. Dylan Thompson is of course a serviceable replacement for Connor Shaw, but it's unlikely he posts a 21:1 TD to INT ratio. Anybody else going pro? Legree? Hampton? Cann? Robinson? You don't have many seniors, but it's certain that at least a couple guys leave early and the schedule gets more difficult. You play aTm, UGA, @ Vandy and Mizzou 4 of your first 5 games of the year without a bye week. And you don't get the benefit of extra prep time for UGA as in some years in the past. You also have to go to Auburn, Florida, and Clemson.
It's the golden era of Carolina football, so it couldn't have been all that bad, but you only win the East once with your weakest team of the 4. I've whined about our loss to Bama in the SECCG last year. I've whined about our injury situation that started from the first drive of the Clemson game this year. But my god, I'm almost counting my blessings after reviewing this.
In short, how frustrating has this been?
TLDR, I know
14
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:32 pm to MenloDawg
I thought they were supposed to back into the SECCG with the easier schedule like we did the last two years.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:41 pm to MenloDawg
Way tl;dr.
Short answer- no. We'll be better next year
Short answer- no. We'll be better next year
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:42 pm to MenloDawg
We've been the best SECe team over the past 4 years, were .750 or better against all y'all. Enjoy 4th in the East, something USC hasn't been in quite some time.
Mizz
USC
Vandy
^The New SECe Big 3. (yes we already voted, you're out.)
Mizz
USC
Vandy
^The New SECe Big 3. (yes we already voted, you're out.)
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:42 pm to MenloDawg
quote:
but I'm still not sure if anybody knows what the hell happened in Gainesville.
Ah, the infamous "Clowney was sick" excuse.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:50 pm to MenloDawg
frick it. I'll bite.
We were supposed to fall apart after 2011, what with Ingram, Allen, Gilmore et al leaving the program. We were better in 2012.
Then, we were supposed to take a major step back when Sanders, Swearinger, Taylor and Lattimore left. Spurrier took the youngest team in the country to within a miracle catch of the SEC CG. And we beat the SEC East champ, again (but that part is frustrating; more on that in a minute).
Do I think USC takes a step back next year? No, not really. I think this program has earned the assumption that they will reload every year. The entire offensive backfield returns, the offensive line returns, all of the wideouts come back, and Thompson steps in with plenty of big-game experience. Plus, I think Mangus is a light-years better QB coach than he gets credit for. Thompson will be just fine next year.
The D-line loses Clowney, Sutton, and Quarles, but returns the Dixons, Dukes, English and Harris. The way USC rotates their D-linemen, these guys have a lot of experience, and will hit the weights hard in the offseason.
The linebackers will absolutely be a strength, if not some of the best in the country, but I think that the secondary will struggle losing Hampton and Williams.
TL;DR version: USC reloads now. The window hasn't closed. If anything, Spurrier has made the team even hungrier, to where winning 11 games is a disappointment. Think about that.
We were supposed to fall apart after 2011, what with Ingram, Allen, Gilmore et al leaving the program. We were better in 2012.
Then, we were supposed to take a major step back when Sanders, Swearinger, Taylor and Lattimore left. Spurrier took the youngest team in the country to within a miracle catch of the SEC CG. And we beat the SEC East champ, again (but that part is frustrating; more on that in a minute).
Do I think USC takes a step back next year? No, not really. I think this program has earned the assumption that they will reload every year. The entire offensive backfield returns, the offensive line returns, all of the wideouts come back, and Thompson steps in with plenty of big-game experience. Plus, I think Mangus is a light-years better QB coach than he gets credit for. Thompson will be just fine next year.
The D-line loses Clowney, Sutton, and Quarles, but returns the Dixons, Dukes, English and Harris. The way USC rotates their D-linemen, these guys have a lot of experience, and will hit the weights hard in the offseason.
The linebackers will absolutely be a strength, if not some of the best in the country, but I think that the secondary will struggle losing Hampton and Williams.
TL;DR version: USC reloads now. The window hasn't closed. If anything, Spurrier has made the team even hungrier, to where winning 11 games is a disappointment. Think about that.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 2:56 pm to MenloDawg
quote:
MenloDawg
quote:
We've bickered over the years, but I actually come in peace
quote:
frick you...
Posted on 12/2/13 at 3:01 pm to MenloDawg
Uh just an FYI we only had 5 seniors this year, so no. The future is looking bright, not worse. Granted we are losing some experienced juniors to the draft but in the long run we'll just be fine.
Your concern is touching though. Congrats on your big 8-4 season.
And majin. How are there 5 east champs in 4 years? Moron. We beat the other 3 eastern champs head to head and hav dominated eastern opponents over the last 4 years. That's indisputable.
Your concern is touching though. Congrats on your big 8-4 season.
And majin. How are there 5 east champs in 4 years? Moron. We beat the other 3 eastern champs head to head and hav dominated eastern opponents over the last 4 years. That's indisputable.
This post was edited on 12/2/13 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 12/2/13 at 3:12 pm to MenloDawg
Their 2013 schedule was a gift from god. too bad they didn't capitalize on it.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 3:23 pm to MenloDawg
It wouldn't surprise me to see our defense fall a bit next season and we only win 8-9 games. But then, I expected our defense to drop off a bit from last season due to losses of Taylor, Swearinger, Holloman, and our entire LB depth.
And yet while our defense DID decline in some areas, most of them was almost neglible:
Scoring Defense:
2012: 13th (18.2 ppg)
2013: 15th (20.0 ppg)
Rushing Defense:
2012: 17th (120.69 ypg)
2013: 33rd (142.25 ypg)
Passing Defense:
2012: 21st (194.8 ypg)
2013: 18th (202.8 ypg)
Total Defense:
2012: 11th (315.5 ypg)
2013: 17th (345.0 ypg)
Obviously we still have a game to play, but I was expecting our defense to fall to the 20-40 rankings overall, but felt that our offensive improvements, a weaker SEC schedule, and a dominant Jadeveon Clowney would help cancel all that out. Clowney didn't have the year we all expected, and our LBs did have issues earlier in the season (I feel our run defense has suffered due to inexperience there), but overall we again had a stellar defense overall...
Next season as was posted above we bring back almost all of our offensive 2-deep. We lose Shaw who was the best QB USC has ever had IMO, but will have a very experienced replacement in Thompson.
Our RB depth will be among the deepest in the SEC for next season, and we return our entire WR depth and TE depth (unless someone leaves early which no one has truly earned the right to consider it yet).
There has been some rumblings during the season that almost our entire starting underclassmen OL depth may all mass bolt for the NFL, but Cann, Shell, and Robinson have never publicly stated that they are even considering it, and USC insiders have never gotten a whiff of anything. So if they all return for 2014, we will for the 2nd consecutive year have 4 of our returning 5 starters on a very solid OL back for the next season...
As for defense we have a lot of rebuilding to do but will return a lot of depth and experience. Our young LBs have proven to be as talented as we all expected, and now have a season of experience. They should be a strength for us in 2014. We lose both of our CBs but return all safeties with increased experience.
Our interior DL should be fine with Surratt, Dixon Jr., Dukes, Griffin, and Green all returning. The DE spot is what most concerns me, but IMO I thought Sutton underachieved this season and backup Mason Harris showed more promise in his limited opportunities...
And yet while our defense DID decline in some areas, most of them was almost neglible:
Scoring Defense:
2012: 13th (18.2 ppg)
2013: 15th (20.0 ppg)
Rushing Defense:
2012: 17th (120.69 ypg)
2013: 33rd (142.25 ypg)
Passing Defense:
2012: 21st (194.8 ypg)
2013: 18th (202.8 ypg)
Total Defense:
2012: 11th (315.5 ypg)
2013: 17th (345.0 ypg)
Obviously we still have a game to play, but I was expecting our defense to fall to the 20-40 rankings overall, but felt that our offensive improvements, a weaker SEC schedule, and a dominant Jadeveon Clowney would help cancel all that out. Clowney didn't have the year we all expected, and our LBs did have issues earlier in the season (I feel our run defense has suffered due to inexperience there), but overall we again had a stellar defense overall...
Next season as was posted above we bring back almost all of our offensive 2-deep. We lose Shaw who was the best QB USC has ever had IMO, but will have a very experienced replacement in Thompson.
Our RB depth will be among the deepest in the SEC for next season, and we return our entire WR depth and TE depth (unless someone leaves early which no one has truly earned the right to consider it yet).
There has been some rumblings during the season that almost our entire starting underclassmen OL depth may all mass bolt for the NFL, but Cann, Shell, and Robinson have never publicly stated that they are even considering it, and USC insiders have never gotten a whiff of anything. So if they all return for 2014, we will for the 2nd consecutive year have 4 of our returning 5 starters on a very solid OL back for the next season...
As for defense we have a lot of rebuilding to do but will return a lot of depth and experience. Our young LBs have proven to be as talented as we all expected, and now have a season of experience. They should be a strength for us in 2014. We lose both of our CBs but return all safeties with increased experience.
Our interior DL should be fine with Surratt, Dixon Jr., Dukes, Griffin, and Green all returning. The DE spot is what most concerns me, but IMO I thought Sutton underachieved this season and backup Mason Harris showed more promise in his limited opportunities...
Posted on 12/2/13 at 3:31 pm to MenloDawg
quote:
It occurred to me just how frustrating it's had to have been the last 4 years.
An SECCG appearance, SEC East Division Title, double digit wins in the past 3 seasons, first 11 win season in our history. Yea it's totally been a frustrating four years.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 3:38 pm to MenloDawg
Not gonna deny it is frustrating. Probably not as frustrating as being a UGA fan the last five years, but yes, definitely frustrating.
As to the window closing -- no, not hardly. Spurrier has us reloading. We don't get the gaudy recruiting rankings UGA, UF and UT (this year) get -- yet somehow we manage to keep winning. Spurrier and his assistants are really good at evaluating and developing players.
If we can get over the annual WTF loss, we are in the SECG. Only Bama has been more consistent.
We still have the best coaching in the East. UF is a dumpster fire; UT's staff is unproven; UGA fans want to fire Richt every other year and Grantham's defense consistently underachieves. Props to Mizzou and Pinkel this year -- let's see how consistent Mizzou can be. Looks like the big 3 in the East for the foreseeable future are Mizzou, USC and UGA.
As to the window closing -- no, not hardly. Spurrier has us reloading. We don't get the gaudy recruiting rankings UGA, UF and UT (this year) get -- yet somehow we manage to keep winning. Spurrier and his assistants are really good at evaluating and developing players.
If we can get over the annual WTF loss, we are in the SECG. Only Bama has been more consistent.
We still have the best coaching in the East. UF is a dumpster fire; UT's staff is unproven; UGA fans want to fire Richt every other year and Grantham's defense consistently underachieves. Props to Mizzou and Pinkel this year -- let's see how consistent Mizzou can be. Looks like the big 3 in the East for the foreseeable future are Mizzou, USC and UGA.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 6:17 pm to MenloDawg
Our window seems to close every year.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 7:29 pm to MenloDawg
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:38 pm to MenloDawg
After being under .500 for a century 41 wins in 4 seasons in the SEC has been quite a ride. As good as SC has been the last 4 years at no point has SC been National Championship quality so not winning the SEC is not that big of a miss. SC has 5-10 players every year that could start for practically anyone in the conference to get to the top you have to have 15-20. SC isn't there yet but the scary part is SC can get better. 2 NYD bowl wins, 5 straight Clemson beatdowns, winning record against UGA/UF/UT, snapping Bama 18 game win streak and beating them when they were #1 have been a pretty cool consolation prize!
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