The South Carolina Gamecocks' Five Must-Win Games of 2010

Is 2010 the Year of the Gamecock? Can the University of South Carolina Fighting Gamecocks really win an SEC Championship under the guidance of Steve Spurrier? "Maybe next year..." some will say. But many proclaim it is now or never for the Gamecocks. Steve Spurrier must produce a strong season, or trouble will tear up the Gamecock City- Columbia, South Carolina.

Stephen Garcia must fight to stay alive or true freshman Connor Shaw of the Flowery Branch, GA Falcons will steal his spot. The offensive line is the key to keeping order for Carolina. The defense looks like it will be good as always, but the offense is a question mark... as always.

South Carolina has the keys to contend on offense. This includes two talented quarterbacks that need to work hard over the summer, Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw. Also this includes tall wideouts Tori Gurley, Alshon Jeffery and Jason Barnes, and the three great tight ends in Jared Cook, Justice Cunningham, and TE/FB Pat DiMarco.

Nevertheless, the Gamecocks' main goal is to play in the 2010 SEC Championship. South Carolina must overcome offensive problems, quarterback issues, defensive injuries, and whatever it takes in 2010 to keep order in Columbia.

The Gamecocks must win most games in the SEC and have to beat arch rival Clemson in the 2010 campaign. And that's what we will preview today...

5. at Auburn, Sept. 25

The last time Steve Spurrier and the USC Gamecocks visited the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare, they lost by an embarrassing score of 48-7.

South Carolina had an unproven QB in Antonio Heffner in that game.

Do you think a disaster like this could happen once again? I don't. But it will not be a breeze for the Gamecocks.

Gene Chizik returns 8 defensive starters to his squad. The Tigers will be improved from last season's 8-5 Outback Bowl team.

Auburn is a team on the rise in the SEC. If South Carolina is to win, the line must protect Stephen Garcia, and the running game needs plenty of production.

I can already tell this one's going to be a defensive slugfest. 10-6? Who knows?

One thing I do know is that if coach Steve Spurrier can pull this one out of the hat, the Gamecocks have the potential to be a special football team in 2010.

4. vs. Alabama, Oct. 9

Do the Gamecocks have the juice to upset the defending national champions? We must wait to find out.

This sounds like a good story script. The No. 1 college football team in the land travels north to face the beloved hometown underdogs. Who would win?

In real life this is going to be a tough draw, but a highly interesting match up. An upset is improbable, but by no means impossible. Carolina came close to beating the Florida Gators in 2009, but fell by the score of 24-14.

3. vs. Georgia, Sept. 11

If South Carolina really wants to shut people's mouths, they have to win the Georgia game. The Gamecocks have a nasty SEC East rivalry with Georgia, and you can promise low scoring games between the two.

This matchup will be one of the many deciding factors in the SEC East race.
One bonus is that the Gamecocks get Georgia at Williams-Brice Stadium, which serves as an amazing home-field advantage.

This is a must-win game. Can you feel the passion in the palm of your hand?
Your hands might as well be shaking. Go ahead and grab your tickets. Please prepare for plenty of bone-jarring hits.

A key match up in this one will be in the trenches, O-line vs. D-line. Georgia has the whole offensive line back, and boy will they be good. Georgia's concrete wall vs. Cliff Matthews, Ladi Ajiboye, and Travian Robertson...to name a few.

2. at Florida, Nov. 13

Imagine this: Steve Spurrier leads his South Carolina Gamecocks onto the playing surface of "The Swamp." The crowd of 90,000 taunts and boos as the Gamecocks charge the turf. The winner of this game will play in the SEC Championship. Is this reality?

This could be the case. The contenders for the crown in the East appear to be Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. All three of these teams have the athletes.

Nevertheless, the game between South Carolina and Florida will be a big gig.

Besides, it is always a big deal when Steve Spurrier comes to town.

1. Clemson, Nov. 27

Seriously?
The Palmetto Bowl is one of the most heated rivalries in the south. This rivalry divides families and friends starting on the week prior to the rivalry.
Many consider this as one of the premier rivalries in the nation.

It's just that big. Not to mention recruiting, bowl bids and bragging rights are on the line.

This is a must win for the Gamecocks. Carolina has fallen been unable to beat Clemson two years in a row for a very long time. It is time to prove it to the Tigers. This is the biggest game of the year and everyone in the state of South Carolina knows it.