South Carolina Versus Georgia: Upon Further Review, Defense, QB Struggling

Ok, so I guess I get two "duh" awards in one week, right?

After watching the Gamecocks beat the Georgia Bulldogs on my TiVo for the second time last night, I noticed a disturbing trend. 

The Gamecock defense really does have some issues.

Before watching the game for a second time (and in a less Miller Lite infused environment), my article for today was going to be titled this:

"South Carolina Fans:  Shut Up and Enjoy the Victory!"

It was going to be about the complaints of the fans about how poorly South Carolina has played.  It was going to remind everyone that the Gamecocks are 2-0, and that the team just beat Georgia twice in a row for the first time since 2000-2001.  It would refer to the amazing play of Marcus Lattimore, Devin Taylor, Alshon Jeffery, Jedeveon Clowney and of course the current toast of the town, Melvin Ingram. 

But I cant.

Not now, because the fans are right.

For a team that was predestined to be one of the school's greatest (and still may be), the defense and quarterback play has been anything but championship caliber.

It has been frighteningly bad.  If it wasn't for superstar performances by the aforementioned players, the Gamecocks would be 1-1. 

To begin, the defense.  A team with the best defensive line in the country (and they are playing at that level) shouldn't be giving up as many points as they are.

The linebackers are average at their best, and terrible at their worst.  They lack the awareness necessary to win big SEC games.

The defensive backfield is a mess.  For a team loaded with so many four and five-star players along with an All-American candidate, they just look completely lost and overmatched. They are out of position almost constantly.  There is never any safety help. 

It may be time to retire the Hybrid spur position, and move to a traditional free safety/strong safety scheme. 

Has Ellis Johnson, one of the most respected coaches in the SEC, lost his touch?  It's really starting to look like it from a fans perspective. 

All you have to do is listen to Steve Spurrier talk, and you can tell he is upset.  Maybe it is time for the Ol' Ball Coach to have a word with his coordinator.

As for the quarterback play, Stephen Garcia played one of the worst games of his career.  He needs to be thankful for the players that bailed him out, because he was at his absolute worst.

Isn't a fifth-year senior who was a dark horse candidate for the Heisman trophy (mostly because of his Heisman partners Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore), supposed to be putting up good numbers?

That's what I thought. 

South Carolina may struggle against Navy this week.  If that happens, something may need to change.  As it stands, ECU and Georgia are great offenses, and the team still won.  However, South Carolina needs to get it together.  The Auburn game and the away game crush is coming soon.

Let's hope they can pull this thing together.

I believe they can. 

It's great to be a Gamecock.

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