South Carolina Football: Steve Spurrier and Stephen Garcia Can't Quit Each Other

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia came to the university very highly recruited, and everybody had high expectations for him. His first three seasons were solid, and although he always had a problem with turnovers, he did show in flashes that he could be a solid quarterback.

Possibly one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC.

This season, Garcia has been absolutely horrible. He has been terrible, dreadful and horrific all in one.

In just five games this season, he is only completing 51 percent of his passes. A one-armed midget that is blindfolded could complete a higher percentage than that. He's thrown for 844 yards, four touchdowns and the worst stat off all: nine interceptions. 

He makes the most boneheaded decisions with the football and often forces it into double and triple coverage.

He has one of the top wide receivers in the country in Alshon Jefferey, and in five games, he only has 19 catches for 332 yards and only two touchdowns.

In last week's loss against Auburn, Garcia only completed 39 percent of his passes for 190 yards and one touchdown. Most importantly, it was his two interceptions that had a bigger impact on the game.

Since the loss, Garcia has been benched for sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw, who will start this week against Kentucky.

In limited action his first two seasons, Shaw is completing 61 percent of his passes for 252 yards and one touchdown.

I understand head coach Steve Spurrier's frustration with Garcia, but he can't quit on him now. Garcia is still the best quarterback on the roster despite how crazy that sounds. He is the most experienced and has proven at times he can be a solid quarterback. 

It's okay for Spurrier to start Shaw against Kentucky, because the old ball coach himself could play the quarterback position against the Wildcats and leave with a victory.

But when the Gamecocks enter the heart of their SEC schedule, Spurrier knows who he needs at quarterback.

With the injury to Florida's John Brantley, the SEC East division is wide open. It's hard imagining a sophomore quarterback with little game experience beating teams like Mississippi State, Florida, Auburn and Clemson.

Despite all the trouble Garcia has caused this team and how horrible he has been playing, he still gives the Gamecocks the best chance to win.

Spurrier and Garcia can't quit on each other just yet.