re: South Carolina? Does the bottom fall out this year?

You only bring up recruiting rankings and woes from last year. We've brought in a lot of unproven talent on defense. Unproven is unproven, but it doesn't mean bad. We can be optimistic about our team without having to pass your test.

Recruiting rankings? Tell me what Mizzou's recruiting rankings have been for the past few years. Then tell me what Georgia's were.

Nobody can tell you what to expect from South Carolina. You might be right. The bottom may fall out. You keep saying you aren't flaming South Carolina in every post, but continue to fight everything you're told.

tl;dr
Suck my dick

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You as a South Carolina fan, obviously know more about your team than I do. However, you are also emotionally invested in them, which can create delusion and unfounded optimism. I just see all the signs pointing towards South Carolina losing 6-7 games this year. The schedule is unbelievably tough. Only one cupcake on the schedule, most teams have 3 or so. I just think Spurrier is getting old and the talent level is not what it was pre-last year. Recruiting seems to have taken a step back. The defense was wretched last year, especially against the run, which spells disaster in the SEC. If they don't find special QB play somehow, I think they will crumble this year.

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Fair enough, I suppose. Remember, though, that as a Gamecock I lived thru the whole 0-21 era and I believe that almost all of GamecockNation was very realistic in what to expect. Those of us who've been around long enough know not to "count our chickens before they're hatched." I do have a lot more confidence in the team we are going to field this year, particularly the defense bc it really can't get much worse than last year. Offensively I'll be the first to admit that QB is uncertain and a definite concern at this point. If it comes down to a not-so-stellar QB, then all we can hope for is that we can at least get the ball into Cooper or Samuel's hands and pray that they do their thing.

Only time will tell, but I really do believe that a lot of teams are sleeping on us and will be surprised. I'll feel a lot better (or maybe a lot worse) after seeing what unfolds during the SCar-UNC game.

Also, I would like to say that I respect South Carolina for scheduling such a difficult out of conference schedule. If they do field a good team this season, that certainly makes for a fun year. I will be the first to say that LSU's OOC schedule this year is embarrassingly weak. There are only so many games in the college football season, and those cupcake games are so boring compared to playing a team that actually has a pulse.

Had to look up how Georgia finished in 2011 because my memory is really bad. Now that I see it, finishing 7-1 in SEC is pretty freakin' great. I'd be more than pleased with a 10-4 season. Hell, I'd be ecstatic!

That awful auburn team was awful. That uk game was one of the most awful wins I have ever seen in my life.

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The defense was wretched last year, especially against the run, which spells disaster in the SEC

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This is what everyone remembers from last year. No one seems to remember that we had one of the most productive offensive seasons in SC history as well. We put up plenty of points, our defense just gave up more. That's not Spurrier's fault entirely.

Our D line was putrid and the coaching was worse. We've made changes to both that will hopefully help out in some way. Even if we are just a little bit better on D, maybe we won't give up late double-digit leads like we did to Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri last year. Crazy thing is, if our defense doesn't fall apart in those games, we could've had 9 wins last season, and all of this Spurrier being done talk wouldn't be a thing.

I agree with everything you said, Royal. It's very frustrating that others overlook the fact that last year was incredibly close to being radically different. I know that doesn't change the fact that we did not win in those cases, but just in a few minutes time we went from a 10-2 team in conference play to 6-6. Had we not fallen apart in those few minutes, we could have possible had another 11-2 year. Ppl also forget we played Auburn toe to toe last year even with that putrid defense and we beat Georgia again.

What is also extremely frustrating is that our 7-6 finish is looked at as less than other teams in the SEC that also finished 7-6. I wish I could say I'm becoming immune to the Gamecocks being overlooked and underestimated as regularly as they are, but I don't think that day will ever come.

The Gamecock fanbase and the team all know the history and baggage that our past brings with it even today, hell we're reminded of it every. single. season. We also know how far we've come since then even if the majority of other fanbases, prognosticators, and the media refuse to see or acknowledge it. I think we could win back to back Nat'l championships and ppl would just crow that it was an anomaly.

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Spurrier is also high on Deebo Samuels

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Lets look at the numbers shall we? Eight starters return on defense and folks forget how much talent USC lost from the 2013 team on defense.....they were bound to slide.

Offensively USC loses a lot from last year...but Pharoh Cooper is a one man wrecking crew...Brandon Wilds is a very good runner...3 OL return.

I just dont see anything but improvement as long as Connor Mitch plays decent and he is r/s soph. Folks might be surprised. I actually think 5 teams in the east could end up in Hotlanta in December...its a wide open race. All five teams have warts and beauty marks. Only UK and Vandy are out of it imho and UK may upset someone (including UF in Lexvegas)along the way.

The OP is probably very young and unaware of the cachet that Spurrier has. If you are under 25 yrs old (and probably younger) then you dont know the history and the fire burning inside him as a competitor.

Preseason everyone is 12-0 or 3-9....but I wouldnt count out the Cocks just yet.