One of the biggest stories in the SEC this off-season has been the return of Steve Spurrier.
OK, after his brief stint in the NFL, the Ol’ Ball Coach has, in fact, been head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks for seven years now. (Time flies.) In the past few months, however, the real Spurrier finally decided to make an appearance. With probably the most talented team he has ever had in Columbia, the head ‘Cock has been in vintage Spurrier form, tossing out one-liners with the aplomb of George Lopez and carrying himself with a general sense of self-confidence that has been missing ever since working for Dan Snyder choked the life out of him.
With the college football world touting USC as a potential darkhorse for the national championship, we checked in with Flounder, editor of Gamecocks blog Leftover Hot Dog, for a little insight.
1. How many more years does the OBC have in Columbia before he hangs it up?
Many around Gamecock Nation will say no more than three years. In saying that, do put an asterisk on that comment, because if USC wins the SEC championship in 2011, then Spurrier may ride out into the sunset. Laugh you may, but the reality of USC winning the SEC does exist this season. Most predict USC to face Alabama in the championship game. I tend to agree with that assumption, but I say they fall short in pushing back the Tide.
Spurrier’s coaching at USC is tied to Jadeveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore… meaning Clowney will be gone after the 2013 season due to him going to the NFL after his junior year. That year will also be Lattimore’s senior year. No better way to go out than with USC’s best athletes on offense and defense in its history and the two players that trusted coach Spurrier in changing the football culture at South Carolina.
2. Is Stephen Garcia really worth all the trouble – both in terms of national perception and the disruptions to the team?
Tough question, and the reality is that Stephen Garcia presents the best option for USC to win. Due to that, the answer is yes, as this is college football and winning is what it is all about.
Shame on coach Spurrier for not reloading at the QB slot through recruiting but the last few years of QB recruiting has not produced true competition for Garcia’s hold on the starting job. If there was a viable No. 2, then Garcia would have been gone, but there is not.
Yes, Connor Shaw is going to be good and is the future of USC football, but that is next year. In 2011, Garcia presents the best chance for USC to win the SEC and hence the reason he is still around, despite making dumb decisions.
3. Jadeveon Clowney is thought to be a game-changing pass rusher. How much of an impact do you think he’ll have in his first year as a Gamecock?
Jadeveon Clowney will live up to the hype, but don’t expect him to walk on water in year one. The Gamecocks coaching staff knows they have a game-changing pass rusher that is destined for the NFL, but in his first year, he will be eased into the game.
Yes, Clowney has all the tools in a defensive end, but just needs time to adjust to playing bigger and better competition. He also will need some time to learn how to read the opposing offense and thus learn to be a better mentally prepared rush end. That should scare you, as he has God-givengiven talent that is unmatched for a freshman in college football, and if he improves his understanding of football, then look out. USC coaches know they have a beast on their hands and will groom him early on.
Expect Clowney to play a lot in 2011, but do know that he may not even start, as senior Melvin Ingram is currently slated ahead of him on the depth chart. By the middle of the season, Clowney should progress and may overcome Ingram, but to start the season, he will be eased into the position to let the mental side of the game catch up to his natural abilities. This is a good thing for him overall.
4. South Carolina seems to have become one of those teams that everyone expects to break out every year, and then they perpetually fall short. Is that fair?
Ouch… that is fair.
USC has had some good squads, but as you noted, they have faded down the stretch. Main reason is the depth issue. The last recruiting cycles have produced talent that has finally given the Gamecocks the depth needed to make it through a grueling 12-game schedule. The 2011 Gamecocks football team is the most talented and deepest squad ever seen in Columbia, S.C.
Taking a look at the depth chart excites USC fans and is the reason why media pundits have the Gamecocks finishing strong in 2011. Many slated to be third-stringers for USC could start on a lot of other college football teams. Having this luxury in 2011 is why the Gamecocks are on the verge of defending their 2010 SEC East crown and again being the SEC East representative in the SEC championship game in 2011.
5. Better hair: Garcia or Steve Taneyhill?
No question, Steve Taneyhill.
That mullet is legendary. Those locks scream southern football in the Deep South and Busch light kegs.
In fact, rumor has it that mullet helped block wind thus the better spin on a Tanneyhill thrown football and helped him throw for over 8,000 yards in his career.
Maybe more college quarterbacks should rock a mullet, right?
Follow Crystal Ball Run on Twitter at @CrystalBallRun.
Check out Leftover Hot Dog for all things Gamecock and follow them on Twitter at @LOHDgamecocks.
