South Carolina Football: Stephen Garcia Must Improve or QB Will Doom Gamecocks

Stephen Garcia completed 64 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. His performance has dropped off markedly so far in 2011, but South Carolina has been able to win anyway. If the Gamecocks plan on remaining in the BCS hunt, Garcia will need to improve.

The 6'2'', 230-pound gunslinger has connected on just 45 percent of his throws through two games. He has two touchdowns and two interceptions with a sub par 6.3 yards-per-attempt ratio. To his credit, he does have three rushing touchdowns and has contributed in that aspect of the game.

Marcus Lattimore has been a beast through two weeks and is the main reason the Gamecocks have racked up 101 points in wins over East Carolina and Georgia. His strong start should continue against a weak Navy run defense that is allowing 172 yards per game on the ground.

However, once South Carolina reaches the brunt of the SEC schedule, teams will start packing the box with extra defenders, especially on the early downs. That will force Garcia to drop back and beat them through the air.

He's proven in the past he can make that happen, but it's been a struggle in 2011. The Florida native just doesn't seem to have any rhythm with his receivers beside playmaker Alshon Jeffery.

Garcia has shown good evasion in the pocket, but throwing on the run has been a problem. Perhaps the problems are just early jitters or due to the extra pressure of being in the BCS conservation.

Whatever the reason, Garcia must find a way to solve the problems before the schedule gets tough starting in October. Starting with a home contest against Auburn on Oct. 1, South Carolina has six straight SEC games, including four against currently ranked teams.

If teams continue to double (or even triple) team Jeffery, the offense will struggle in those contests. Garcia has to establish another aerial threat to take some pressure off the All-American.

Garcia has the talent and ability to make plays with his arm, it just hasn't happened yet. With two very winnable games before that tough stretch begins, head coach Steve Spurrier would be best served calling a bunch of pass plays to see if Garcia can hit his stride.

South Carolina will be able to survive against inferior teams without consistency in the passing game. They won't survive the SEC schedule with one, though. So Garcia needs to step up and prove he deserves to keep the job he earned last season