South Carolina Football: What to Look for in the Gamecock Spring Game

South Carolina wraps up spring practice on Saturday with the annual Garnet & Black Spring Game at Williams-Brice Stadium (1:00 p.m. ET).

The Gamecocks broke the double-digit mark in wins for a season for just the second time in program history last season, and are poised to make a run not just at the SEC East title, but the BCS championship game.

Here are a few things to keep an eye on Saturday in South Carolina's spring game

Can Connor Shaw Take the Next Step?

It went largely unnoticed, but Shaw emerged as a big-time weapon last season after taking over for Stephen Garcia. He completed 65 percent of his passes and tossed 14 touchdowns and only six interceptions in roughly two-thirds of a season. 

Shaw closed strong, throwing for more than 200 yards in each of his last three games, and he averaged 79.7 rushing yards per game over those three contests.

For the first time in a long time, Spurrier doesn't get heartburn thinking about his quarterback position, but with an offseason as the unquestioned starter under his belt, he could be even better.

Who's Going to Replace Alshon Jeffery?

Ace Sanders is the veteran of the receiving corps, but at 5'7" and 175 pounds, he's not exactly built to do the things that Jeffery did.

D.L. Moore, K.J. Brent and DeAngelo Smith (and Shaq Roland later this summer) all are vying to be that big play threat, but so far, nobody has stepped forward to take a commanding lead in the race. Bruce Ellington is back after briefly giving up football in favor of basketball, and he certainly brings that element of excitement to the offense.

Is Jadeveon Clowney Going to Be the Next Melvin Ingram?

Clowney has been lining up inside to create mismatches on passing downs. As a freshman, he recorded eight sacks, two shy of South Carolina's single-season record. He and Devin Taylor will bookend a Gamecock defensive line that is poised to be a pain to opposing offensive coordinators all season long. 

Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward might not want to give away any secrets on Saturday, but then again, he may want to make a statement to the rest of the SEC (doubtful, I know).

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