South Carolina Football: 5 Reasons Why Gamecocks Will Win the SEC

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Read that title.  Now read it again.  Read it backwards. 

Yes...I did mean to leave the East word out of it. 

In 2011, South Carolina has the firepower to win the SEC.  It's just science.  There may be one or two teams in the SEC West this year that are better then South Carolina on paper, but the Gamecocks have a couple of X-factors that will not allow them to lose. 

This team keeps getting better.  The attitude is right, the work ethic is up to par thanks to some fantastic coaching and player leadership and the SEC East is still weak, maybe even weaker than last year, with Georgia possibly taking a step backwards before they take a giant leap forward in 2012.

Florida is the wild card, as most teams don't do particularly well the season that they install a completely new system and try to run a pro-style offense with tiny running backs. 

South Carolina has been riding the fence for a while now.  This is the seasons that they not only cross over to the other side of the fence, but they blow that sucker up. 

1. Marcus Lattimore

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It starts with one name.  Marcus. 

This is the running back that was designed by God to play running back.  He added weight, muscle and got faster.  How?  Pure magic. 

He is a sophomore who acts like a fifth year senior.  The players respect him, and the opponents fear him.  How important is he?  Well, any time he went down in 2010, the Gamecocks lost.  The added muscle will keep him upright for longer. 

Look for him to make a serious run at the Heisman and carry South Carolina to a couple of extra victories.

2. Defensive Line Rotation

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South Carolina has the best defensive line rotation in college football.  I know some of you will try to argue, but you will just be blowing hot air. 

Projected first-round pick Devin Taylor, Sporting News All-Americans Melvin Ingram and Travian Robertson and Jadeveon Clowney make up the main core for the defensive line. 

Are you kidding me?  This is by far the most talented all around area of South Carolina's team, but you have four All-SEC caliber players already there.  Not to mention there is depth at the position.

SEC Quarterbacks will be very sore this fall. 

3. Balanced Offense

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We have already discussed Marcus Lattimore, but the offense is more than just a running offense. 

Enter All-American Alshon Jeffery and Second-Team All-SEC quarterback Stephen Garcia.  The passing game will be ferocious this year. 

There are many outside fans that talk a great deal of junk about Garcia and his "chances" only because they are uneducated and unaware of the truth of the subject (which is a piece for another article). 

Garcia has all the talent in the world, and could end up as a first team All-SEC performer by the end of the season (with all due respect to the phenomenal Aaron Murray, you just don't have the weapons. In fact, you have none). 

It doesn't just stop with them.  Kenny Miles is an SEC running back who could start at half of the other SEC schools.  Ace Sanders is as explosive as they come.  Jason Barnes and the rest of the receivers are all very reliable. 

The dual-threat offense will be tough to stop.

4. Improved Secondary Play

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It can't get any worse, can it?

With All-American Stephon Gilmore leading the way, it should be a much more productive year.  Akeem Aguste returns to his natural spot at corner, which will help bolster the secondary. 

If they even return to mediocrity, the Gamecocks will be tough to beat.

5. Settled Offensive Line

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For the first time in years, the offensive line does not come into the season as a big fat question mark. 

They are huge linemen, perhaps the largest in the SEC.  They have some talented freshmen coming in, including Art Shell's nephew, Brandon Shell. 

They have a First-Team All-SEC player in Rokevious Watkins, and A.J. Cann looks as though he could be very special. 

All in all, the hog mollies may end up as a strength of the team. 

Shawn Elliot deserves a great deal of respect for the job he has done with them.

Bonus Slide: NO CAM NEWTON

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Come on now, does anyone in their right mind really think Auburn wins the national title without him?

His best game of the year happened to be during the SEC championship game.  If he played like he usually did (which was superhuman by any standard anyway) the game would have looked much more like the closely contested match early in the season.

However, he played like Superman and Batman's love child during the game. 

There is no dominant player in the SEC quite like him this year... the closest thing?

Well, he happens to wear No. 21 in garnet and black.