South Carolina Spring Game 2012: Date, Start Time, Live Stream and More

After a season in which they went 11-2 in the difficult SEC and beat Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, there are very high expectations for the South Carolina Gamecocks football team in 2012.

The vast majority of the team's core players will return, while most of their competition within the conference has gotten weaker.

South Carolina's offense sputtered in the middle part of the season, as quarterback Stephen Garcia was dismissed from the team, and star running back Marcus Lattimore was lost for the season due to injury. With Connor Shaw ready to be the full-time guy under center and Lattimore healthy, though, things are looking great for the Gamecocks.

The defense buoyed South Carolina for much of last season, and it should be great once again in 2012.

The Gamecocks were 11th in total defense last season, and with most of the starters returning and stud defensive end Jadeveon Clowney likely to bust out in his second year, South Carolina is a major BCS threat.

It all begins with Saturday's spring game, as the team's stars will begin to round into form, and the contested positions will become a lot clearer.

This is one of the more exciting offseasons in recent memory at South Carolina, so make sure you don't miss the Garnet & Black Spring Game.

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

When: Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. ET

Live Stream: ESPN3

Listen: WNKT 107.5 FM

Position Battle to Watch: No. 1 Wide Receiver

After a sophomore season in which he racked up over 1,500 yards, there is no question that South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery underachieved in 2011.

He reverted back to his freshman numbers, as he accrued a mere 762 yards on 49 grabs and reached pay dirt eight times. Jeffery decided to declare for the NFL draft, and despite his struggles, it will be extremely difficult to replace a 6'4", 229-pound target in the offense.

Quarterback Connor Shaw will need to identify a receiver that he can trust, and there are a few who are jockeying for position on the depth chart.

The slight favorite to take the No. 1 receiver spot currently is Ace Sanders, as he was the team's second-leading pass-catcher last season with 29 grabs. He also has the most experience as a junior.

The other guys in the mix are sophomores Bruce Ellington and Damiere Byrd. Both are smallish receivers, so they will have to show adequate explosion in the spring game, but if they do, either or both could pass Sanders in the pecking order.

Key Freshman to Watch: TE Drew Owens

Although the wide receivers are going to have to step up most in Jeffery's absence, the tight ends can certainly do their part in making up for his loss as well.

They weren't heavily utilized in the offense last season, as Justice Cunningham led the unit in catches with 18, but there is reason to believe they could play a much bigger role this season.

As a senior, Cunningham figures to be the de facto starter, but redshirt freshman Drew Owens has the ability to push for some playing time.

At 6'6" and 236 pounds, he doesn't have prototypical tight end size, but he is extremely quick and skilled as a pass-catcher. Owens was one of the gems of Steve Spurrier's recruiting class last season, and the old ball coach will certainly be eager to test out his new toy this spring.

It won't be easy for any true freshmen to get playing time this season, but since Owens has been with the team for a year, I like his chances of getting himself in the mix.