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.

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Posted by MIZ_COU

I'm right here

Member since Oct 2013

13771 posts

Posted on 12/2/13 at 3:03 pm to RoyalAir

quote:
to where winning 11 games is a disappointment

I'd give to where losing 9 games is a disappointment, definitely not 11.

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Posted by MenloDawg

Member since Jan 2010

6719 posts

Posted on 12/2/13 at 3:31 pm to RoyalAir

quote:
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.

This is obviously most concerning. If everybody does indeed come back on this side of the ball there is experienced talent there. I'm thankful that we return 21 of our 22 deep on D (as long as neither Ramik, Herrera, nor Swann go dumb and declared) and that we will have already played against Clemson. Further, I think Dylan Thompson's lack of mobility will be beneficial to us.

quote:
Plus, I think Mangus is a light-years better QB coach than he gets credit for. Thompson will be just fine next year.

No question there, he got everything he could out of from Garcia and Shaw was much better than I ever expected.

quote:
The D-line loses Clowney, Sutton, and Quarles, but returns the Dixons, Dukes, English and Harris. The secondary will struggle losing Hampton and Williams

I have to say that losing 2 corners and your 2 best pass rushers really works for me. I like our chances on this side of the ball.

quote:
I think this program has earned the assumption that they will reload every year.

It has been good times in Columbia, no doubt. I just think at same point there has to be a little regression after being so good for so long before you rally back and annually compete again. This could possibly be the year with the schedule. Especially compared to ours. We get Clemson, AU, UT, Vandy, and GT all at home w/ UF neutral. Travel to Arky (not even in their own stadium, mind you), UK, Mizzou and y'all. And, like I've stated, I just think we have the advantage on paper in that game at this point in time. Long ways away

Mark Richt: 2002-2007

Mark Richt: 2008-2010

Mark Richt: 2011-2013 (yes, we were actually very good at one point IMO)

Obviously, the elephant in the room is when will Spurrier retire? 68 is by far the oldest in the conference. Rich Brooks retired at that age if I'm not mistaken. Bowden was obviously much older, but Spurrier doesn't have the emotional ties or legacy at SC like Bowden at FSU and I don't think Spurrier wants to see his career deteriorate like Bowden's did.

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