South Carolina Gamecocks 2009 NCAA Football Predictions SEC Eastern Division: Despite being hailed as a “coaching genius” Steve Spurrier has been a poster child for mediocrity in his 4-year stint at South Carolina. The Gamecocks faithful are getting restless with Spurrier who has tallied 28-22 record with South Carolina. Last season Spurrier took his team to the Outback bowl only to get trounced 10-31 by Iowa. The team seems to have taken some steps backward in the past few season’s and this year’s squad is very green. South Carolina Gamecocks 2009 NCAA Football Predictions SEC Eastern Division odds to win the 2010 BCS Championship is at 75-1 odds at Sportsbook.com.

Last season the passing game was a major disappointment and Spurrier has taken back control of his beloved offense. QB Stephen Garcia is a mobile, strong-armed sophomore that has underachieved due to poor decisions both on and off the field. Garcia could turn the corner on his football career this season which means that the Gamecocks should be able to put some points on the board. The running game was among the nation’s worst last year, but Freshmen running back Jarvis Giles is a burner that can help the ground game improve. The O-line has some experience with seven players with experience but still rank among the SEC’s weakest units. The wideout corps took some significant hits, but WR Moe Brown has game-breaking speed and freshmen WR Alshon Jeffery is a physical player that could make an impact. Junior TE Weslye Saunders is also a big-target that was a top-recruit coming out of high school.

Spurrier is an offensive minded coach but the real strength of the Gamecocks team lies in the defense. S.C ranked an impressive 11th in the nation a season ago but return only 6 players from that defense. The D-line was very-good last season and could be even better despite losing some key personnel. DE Clifton Geathers and DT Ladi Ajiboye lead a stout defensive front. The line backing core has one of the finest OLB in the country in senior Eric Norwood. The rest of the linebacking unit is questionable, but the talent is place to do well and this should be one of the better units in the SEC. The secondary is fast, but they have little playing experience and could get picked on by the SEC’s better passers. The special teams are above-average with a strong-legged but sometimes erratic kicker in junior Spencer Lanning.

South Carolina is a good football team that will give plenty of teams problems. The Gamecocks have the toughest schedule in the country however, and not enough experience to keep up with the big dawgs. Look for a middle of the pack finish again in the SEC East conference to the disappointment of the devoted Gamecocks fans.