2010: The Year Of the Gamecock?

Is 2010 the year Gamecock Nation can finally say, "Finally!," or is it just another year of disappointment?  With some solid recruits coming in and some very solid players returning for 2010 to offset the departures of Eric Norwood and Moe Brown among others the Gamecocks are poised to strike in 2010.  With a schedule that has been horribly made over the last few seasons the Gamecocks are no strangers to late season collapses.  Not too much was done to correct that, but at least the schedule makers down in Columbia decided to throw Troy in between Florida and Clemson at the end of the season.  The only problem is, Troy was a 9 win football team last year and looks to build on that and are a better second half of the season team. 

With Ol' Ball Coach Steve Spurrier finally relinquishing his play calling duties to Quarterbacks Coach G.A. Mangus things may turn around.  The dueling 5's at Quarterback and Cornerback could play well into the hands of the Gamecocks if they choose to use the Wild-Cocky formation that features Stephen Garcia split wide (sometimes so wide he's standing on the sidelines with Mangus) and Stephon Gilmore taking the snaps in the Shotgun.  It confused #15 and arch-rival Clemson on one drive in the 2009 regular season finale. 

With 2010 opening on yet another Thursday night against Southern Miss the Gamecocks have a chance to show the nation early exactly what they have, and they aren't lacking in talent at the skill positions or on defense.  Their problem comes on the offensive line that has looked, or more appropriately leaked more like a sieve over the last few years.  New Offensive Line coach Shawn Elliott from upset-happy and National Championship happy Appalachian State.  He is given the responsibility of fixing the major problem of the Gamecocks in 2009.

With 7 home games and 5 road games in 2009 the Gamecocks need to defend their home turf, and edge off their rivals on the road.  Auburn, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida and Clemson will be the road games that face the Gamecocks in 2010.  Florida and Clemson being two rivalry games that would be huge feathers in the cap of the Gamecocks to win, especially on the road.  Steve Spurrier has Kentucky's number, but Vanderbilt has been a thorn in the Gamecock's side for the last three seasons.  Winning the first two and only losing the last meeting by a 4 point margin on a Stephen Garcia to Alshon Jeffrey touchdown in the 4th quarter.  Auburn will be under the guidance of 2nd year coach Gene Chizik who in his first year led the Tigers to an 8-5 record with an Outback Bowl win over Northwestern.

The Gamecocks will defend Williams-Brice Stadium against traveling opponents, Southern Miss (season opener on Thursday night), Georgia, Furman, defending National Champions Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Troy.  Going 6-1 at home, allowing only a loss to National Champion Alabama would go a long way in the Gamecocks quest to play for an SEC Championship.  An upset of Alabama would stun the nation and possibly propel the Gamecocks to new heights. 

With players graduating, uncertainty at the Head Coach position elsewhere 2010 may be the year Steve Spurrier has to look in the mirror and answer his own question if he can't win the SEC East.  Why not Us(c)?  With his returning roster, a schedule that while still tough, leans closer to their favor than recent memory and the question marks elsewhere 2010 may be Spurriers best chance to lead the Gamecocks to Atlanta to play for the 2010 SEC Championship.  If he isn't able to do that, calls for his job will come in loud and clear, and at that point it will be hard to question them.