Why South Carolina Gamecocks Are Legit SEC Threat to Alabama, LSU

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Alabama and LSU have earned major respect in both the SEC and the nation as the No. 1 and 2 teams respectively.

But they would do well to not sleep on South Carolina.

The Crimson Tide won't face the Gamecocks unless they meet in the SEC championship game in Atlanta, but LSU will welcome South Carolina to Death Valley on Oct. 13. 

While I wouldn't call South Carolina a favorite over either Alabama or LSU, it's certainly possible for the Gamecocks to shock the SEC West and take the conference title for themselves.

Want five reasons why?

Read on.

Coaching

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Alabama's Nick Saban and LSU's Les Miles both get a lot of attention due to recent success and national championships, as they should.

But Steve Spurrier has also lifted the crystal football.

Sure, it's been a while. His lone national championship came in 1996 while he was still at Florida. However, don't forget that Spurrier's Gators won six SEC titles during his 12 seasons there.

Spurrier is good and experienced enough to take his team to an SEC title.

An Elite Running Back

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South Carolina could easily ask itself what might have been if Marcus Lattimore had just stayed healthy.

Lattimore went down to a knee injury seven games into 2011. Had he stayed healthy and hit his average, Lattimore would have finished with over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns.

South Carolina has wisely limited Lattimore's reps in blowouts against East Carolina and UAB to make sure that he's ready for the meat of the Gamecocks' schedule. If the plan works and Lattimore is healthy for SEC play, look out.

Defensive Line

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Any coach in the SEC will tell you that one of the key units on the field, if you want to win the conference, is the defensive line.

The Gamecocks have one of the best defensive fronts in the nation.

Jadeveon Clowney already has four sacks. Chaz Sutton has two more, as well as a forced fumble against Missouri.

Through four games, the Gamecocks defense is only allowing an average of 67 yards rushing.

They Don't Need to Be Perfect Against a Tough Schedule

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South Carolina has one of the toughest stretches in the nation, as it faces No. 5 Georgia on Oct. 6, No. 2 LSU on Oct. 13 and No. 14 Florida on Oct. 20.

While the Georgia game is close to must-win, as the Bulldogs don't play either Alabama or LSU out of the SEC West, one loss in this stretch doesn't kill South Carolina's SEC title hopes.

As a matter of fact, South Carolina facing such tough competition could give it an edge in experience should the team make it to Atlanta.

A Quarterback That Can Manage the Game

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Last year Alabama proved you don't have to have an elite quarterback to win a conference championship if you have a good enough running game and a solid defense.

However, you do need one that can manage the game without making mistakes.

Connor Shaw could be that kind of QB.

Take his performance against Missouri. He threw only one incomplete pass the entire game against the Tigers. Did he throw any huge bombs? No. But he sure was efficient.

He probably isn't going to throw a Hail Mary to win the game, but if the running game and defense hold up, he shouldn't need to.