SEC Football 2008: University of South Carolina Preview

2008 Schedule

Date        Opponent

Aug. 28    North Carolina State

Sep. 4      @ Vanderbilt

Sep. 13    Georgia

Sep. 20    Wofford

Sep. 27    UAB

Oct. 4      @ Ole Miss 

Oct. 11    @ Kentucky

Oct. 18    LSU

Nov. 1      Tennessee

Nov. 8      Arkansas

Nov. 15    @ Florida

Nov. 29    @ Clemson

Overview

After beginning the 2007 season 6-1 and climbing all the way up to No. 6 in the AP Poll, South Carolina imploded in the second half of the season.  The Gamecocks will hope to be a little more consistent during the 2008 season.

Coach Steve Spurrier has been around long enough to bring in the players that he wants, and he needs to produce this year.

He will have defensive leader Jasper Brinkley returning after a medical redshirt year in 2007, and Brinkley and Emmanuel Cook should lead one of the best defenses in the SEC.  South Carolina returns plenty of experience on both sides of the ball and could be a surprise contender in the SEC East as a result.  

The big questions for the Gamecocks are along the offensive line and at quarterback, where Spurrier announced Tommy Beecher as the starter following spring practice.  Beecher will have one of the best receivers in the SEC in Kenny McKinley and a great group of tight ends to throw to in 2008.

Should Beecher develop quickly and the Gamecocks solve their problems defending the run, the Gamecocks could quickly become a dominant team.

With Steve Spurrier on the sidelines, it is unwise to count this team out of the SEC East race in 2008.