re: How much does South Carolina miss Connor Shaw this season?

I think more than they know. His accuracy and ability to make plays out of nothing were both assets that made you hate Connor. He was just a winner and tough as nails. He was the most underrated player in the SEC

Of course we will miss Connor Shaw's contributions to the offense and team. Shaw's dynamic with his legs was a major asset for the team during his time at USC. Even as a freshman as a backup to Garcia, he averaged 5+ ypc. Shaw could make a busted pass play into a 1st down better than most in CFB. He was essentially our #2 RB during years where the RB attrition at USC was attrocious...

But all great players move on in CFB, and if you recruit well enough, you will find replacements for them. Not necessarily to be better than them, but in their own ways to provide the needed contributions the team needs...

When Eric Norwood graduated, everybody fretted about who'd replace him on defense. Norwood ended up USC's all-time program leader in tackles for loss and QB sacks. USC's defense only improved from where it was during the Norwood Era due to the talent we've brought in....

When Alshon Jeffery left, they said our passing offense would drop away. After Lattimore's departure, they said our run game would decline. We've had program-leading offenses since then, and last season had the best rushing offense we've ever had under Spurrier, even with Marcus...

What we'll get from Dylan Thompson will be different than what we got from Shaw. Thompson will be more of the throwing QB - he won't take off and run like Shaw did. Our RBs will be required to handle more of the work load in getting 1st downs, unless they are short enough for QB sneaks and dives. There will be more INTs probably, and less efficiency at times in converting downs, but there may not be.

In the 6 games where Thompson played predominantly - either starts or close to 50/50 participation or above - USC hasn't had any issues with generating offense:

Opp - pass yds - rush yds - total yds - score

2012
ECU: 397 - 131 - 528 - 48
UAB: 322 - 179 - 501 - 49
CU: 310 - 134 - 444 - 27
UM: 341 - 85 - 426 - 33

2013
UCF: 265 - 225 - 490 - 28
MIZ: 423 - 75 - 498 - 27


In those games, passing clearly was the king of the day. USC only averaged 138.2 rushing YPG, although in several of those games (Clemson, Mich, Missouri) USC was pretty dinged up at the RB unit. But USC also averaged 343.0 passing YPG, and 481.2 total YPG, and scored 35.3 PPG (the ECU and UAB games skew that average)....

And USC went 6-0 in those games too. The big task for USC in 2014 will be to keep it's RB corps healthy as much as possible throughout the season. All 4 on the depth chart are very talented and should be capable of contributing. The USC OL is very experienced, talented, and deep - no other SEC OL has earned more Lombardi/Outland/Rimington Award Watch List nominations than the Gamecock OL for 2014. Thompson should have the time to find his targets. Expect to see some big passing games for this season, in addition to some big rushing gms as well....

So now Shaw is getting respect. Interesting.

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So now Shaw is getting respect. Interesting.

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For the record I was saying all these things about Shaw during our game last year and have only added the "best QB ever at USC" part since then.

There is a tendency everywhere for people to think that great players cannot be replaced, but we know that just isn't true. Shaw was a winner, no doubt about it. That does not mean that Thompson won't be a capable replacement, especially with a good OL and a healthy Evans.

In literal terms, I think comparing YPG is meaningless. SC could win the division next year with fewer offensive YPG and nobody would care. However, if the pass offense is more productive but the defense drops off and y'all go 9-3, 8-4, nobody will be saying how great a QB Thompson was.

Besides being a very good QB, Shaw was a leader who found a way to get it done and win. It remains to be seen exactly how that leadership will be replaced, but I have confidence in your coaching staff that they will find a way.

Bottom line, South Carolina will be just as dangerous this year as they were last year, and I think they should be considered the favorite to win the division.

I hear Sinead OConner is releasing a song about missing Conner Shaw... same haircut, common name...something about like desert missing rain... just bits and pieces currently, but will keep you updated

Good point and I agree.

It doesn't matter how a team is capable of running the football... running back, QB, backup tailback.

If they are efficient and can move the rock on the ground in key situations, they should be considered a serious contender for the division and the conference.

Shaw brought that running threat to the Gamecocks. But his absence does not limit what the team can accomplish with their line and set of tailbacks.

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Takes some of the heat off of our defense too.

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Absolutely.