Surprise! Spurrier proves South Carolina can be player in SEC
Steve Spurrier was carried off the field by players after winning at Florida two weeks ago.
If there’s one thing more surprising than Auburn’s meteoric ascent this season under a coach, Gene Chizik, who mostly was lampooned when he was hired, it’s this: South Carolina is in the SEC championship game.
When Steve Spurrier was hired by the Gamecocks, most figured he had a low ceiling for success. The doubt had nothing to do with Spurrier, who had proven to be nothing short of a terrific college coach, despite his failures in the NFL with the Washington Redskins. It was more about his ability to recruit enough talent to Columbia and win the SEC Division, which meant finishing ahead of traditional powers Georgia, Florida and Tennessee.
So here’s the question: Is what happened this year an aberration?
The Gamecocks are a pretty good team with a few players — particularly running back Marcus Lattimore and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery — who could start for any team in the country. But they obviously benefited this season from Georgia, Florida and Tennessee having down seasons.
Still, doesn’t almost every team win a division or a conference at least in part because an opponent took a step back?
ESPN’s SEC blogger, Chris Low, has posted a good column on this subject. He offers his own mea culpa for believing South Carolina would never play for the SEC title and believes Spurrier has cemented his legacy.
Personally, I think Spurrier’s legacy already was cemented. This just enhances it.
OK, try to get past your lingering disdain for Spurrier from Florida days for just a moment.
I’m guessing many of you believe Spurrier will have to do this again to prove South Carolina’s legitimacy as an SEC contender. But the Gamecocks this season have defeated Georgia, Alabama and Florida in the SEC, and last week annihilated Clemson.
Back in September, they also led Auburn in the fourth quarter before losing 35-27. Nobody should consider this rematch a gimme for the Tigers. And now that Spurrier has accomplished this once, nobody should assume South Carolina will be an annual afterthought in the SEC East.
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201 comments Add your comment
Dave
November 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
Chuck – you’re right. Spurrier was there with Auburn in a tight game this season – leading late in the game. AND HE CHOKED.
Good point.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:32 pm
“Gene Chizik or the guy who’s been there and done that many times before?”
I go with the guy who helped bring his team back from a 24-0 deficit in Tuscaloosa.
Burp
November 30th, 2010
1:33 pm
Hey Astropig – are you nuts?
You stated: “Spurrier has been good for the SEC, Florida and South Carolina ,in that order.”
Spurrier was lots better for Florida than he was for the SEC. Seriously, what kinda drugs are you on?
Erik
November 30th, 2010
1:33 pm
IT’S MY MONEY…I NEED IT NOW!! IT’S MY MONEY…I NEED IT NOW!!! IT’S MY MONEY…I NEED IT NOW!!!
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:33 pm
“They all lost by double-digits to South Carolina.”
SC also lost 3 games this year. Auburn, not so much.
lawzoo
November 30th, 2010
1:34 pm
This year is Steve’s year The goober’s who talk about the East being down, lucky, blah , blah…are the same losers who have been predicting that he will leave “after this year”. Uh, he’s still here. Get used to it.
Carolina isn’t sitting still next year it’s for the National Championship!
Don’t believe that losers? Did you believe Carolina would be playing for the S.E.C Championship??????
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:34 pm
“Spurrier was lots better for Florida than he was for the SEC. ”
Florida was not a good football program before Spurrier arrived. Florida did have some good/ok years in the 80’s but nothing great before that.
Steve
November 30th, 2010
1:36 pm
Stop with the Spurrier lovefest already.
Lou Holtz nearly took them to the top and probably would have if the entire SEC been mired in horrible seasons while South Carolina was peaking.
No one believed that SC couldn’t win occasionally. Most people didn’t think they could do it over a long period. Spurrier has done nothing to disprove that line of thinking.
Spurrier is a great coach. One of the best around. But anointing him for a 3-loss season when Mark Richt got annihilated for one a couple of years back is PATHETIC journalism. Yes, his recruits are a little better, but that’s more about depth than about the starters. Certinaly not enough to make Spurrier a god-send and Richt a throw-away as the AJC keeps trying to push.
Lowcountry Dawg
November 30th, 2010
1:37 pm
I went to the UGA/Carolina game in Columbia this year. I was truly impressed with Marcus Lattimore. I remember talking to some Carolina fans and saying they finally have the whole package offensively. A QB who is making better decisions, a good receiving game and, finally, a running game. They’ve had defense…I also said they can go as far as they want to go.
I’m glad to see USC get to the SEC CG…I hope they pull it off aganist the Burners!!!
Nova Roars
November 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
Enter your comments here
gcs
November 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
I’ve got another surprise for you: South Carolina could very will win the SEC East again next year.
Lattimore, Jeffery, Stephen Garcia, Stephon Gilmore, DJ Swearinger are all coming back.
14 of 22 starters return and they might just get the #1 prospect in the nation in Jadeveon Clowney.
I have a feeling that Spurrier will make a big push to make 2011 his BIG year to really cement his legacy and then he can retire to the golf links as a legend-in-his-own-mind.
.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:39 pm
Not to rain on SC’s parade….
Garcia ailing ahead of SEC title tilt
http://college-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/26156452
Blackland
November 30th, 2010
1:40 pm
Well, UGA will be back but UT has a big problem if they cannot get the top players from SC, GA and AL. The State of TN just doesn’t produce that much football talent. UF, Urban’s offense doesn’t work so well in the SEC without a one-in-a-lifetime player like Tebow. If Spurrier can keep recruiting the best players in SC the program will be just fine in the long run.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 30th, 2010
1:41 pm
USC defeated Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee which caused them to be in a “down” year….stick that in your pipe and smoke on it….
jarvis
November 30th, 2010
1:41 pm
Carolina finally reached the top of the heap this year.
Remember in the late 90’s when Mississippi State finally got over the hump? They’ve been world-beaters ever since.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:42 pm
USC GAMEC0CK
The losers, UGA, Bama etc, are all angry because they all suck.
jarvis
November 30th, 2010
1:42 pm
MSU, South Carolina, and Colorado all beat Georgia this year. So you know they’re great.
Tech…not so much.
GSU Eagle 91
November 30th, 2010
1:42 pm
I like Coach Richt but 2 SEC titles in 10 years comes up short against Spurrier’s 6 in 12 years.
Besides, go back to 1990 when he took over at Florida. The SEC was average, and after a few years of getting embarrassed by Gator teams, the SEC schools decided to man up and go hire better coaches.
So I have to give Coach Spurrier credit for starting the SEC’s meteoric rise to the top back in the 90’s.
I am pulling for the Gamecocks to win, but Auburn has enormous confidence now. and of course, Cam…Who I feel might be the best college FB player I have seen since Barry Sanders.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:43 pm
“They’ve been world-beaters ever since.”
They’re also going to a better bowl game than UGA.
Nova Roars
November 30th, 2010
1:44 pm
We already held Lattimore to 33 yards the first go around. Our D has tightened up and we are not the same team from early season. Auburn’s D has improved more than SCAR’s O. SCAR will not have home field advantage as they did first go around and was only able to beat Bama because they were at home. Auburn has proven we are as equally effective on the road with 12-0! (Matter of fact, we’d like to request ALL our future Bama games be played at Jordan-Hare West!) It will be a close game but, like always, we’ll come out the last 30 and do what we do – WIN!
jarvis
November 30th, 2010
1:46 pm
Oh…if you’d only hit submit before me, you woulnd’t look like such a tool right now.
It’s called self-effacing sarcasm. That’s two words for you to Google.
atlvol55
November 30th, 2010
1:47 pm
2010 SEC home games for South Carolina
1. UGA–starting freshman quarterback without the best wr in the country.
2. Auburn
3. Alabama
4. Crappy Tennessee team that was still had Simms at QB.
2011
South Carolina has to travel to Athens, Knoxville, Arkansas, and Miss. St.
Think some pay back won’t be in order. It is much easier to sneak up on teams. Lets see how South Carolina does with a target on their backs
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:47 pm
“Oh…if you’d only hit submit before me, you woulnd’t look like such a tool right now.”
Poor 6-6er.
Mac
November 30th, 2010
1:47 pm
Nova Roars, USC-Auburn was at Auburn. I’m sure the rest of your comments are accurate, though.
dagnabit
November 30th, 2010
1:48 pm
Sanford Drive. I sat right behind you in the stands and I never saw any of what you’re talking about. Is this normal for you? Lying with every breath.
North Over South
November 30th, 2010
1:52 pm
Let see what Steve Spurrier
Won one National Championship (1996), and played for another (1995).
Won six SEC championships (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000).
Named SEC Coach of the Year five times (1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996).
Won at least nine games in each of his twelve seasons, one of only three coaches in major college history to do so.
First Heisman Trophy-winner to coach a Heisman Trophy-winner (Danny Wuerffel)
Now what have Mark Richt done
2 SEC Championships (2002, 2005)
4 SEC Eastern Division Titles (2002–2003, 2005, 2007)
2x SEC Coach of the Year (2002, 2005)
Back up singer for Justin Timberlake Cry Me A River
jarvis
November 30th, 2010
1:52 pm
Give it 8 months son, and a .500 record will be .500 better than Auburn’s.
That said, the AP will still recognize your season for what that’s worth.
SimpleDawg
November 30th, 2010
1:52 pm
POAD = Techead = $#!+head
USC has a really good collection of skill players…..lots of perimeter players. Alshon Jeffery and Tori Gurley would be starters for any other team in the country. Ace Sanders would be a good slot receiver for any team running the spread. Marcus Lattimore has been a welcomed addition to the mix, but the real catalyst to the offensive surge has been the development of the offensive line. Spurrier hired Appalachian State’s OL coach in the off season…..he has made a huge impact on Carolina’s success. Now, Garcia isn’t running for his life every play, he can relax and just play QB.
The defense has a stout defensive line and several good skill players in the defensive back 4. Once the defensive staff reduced the number of switches and audible calls, the players could just play without too much thinking involved. Numerous injuries to the linebacking corps is the only thing that kept this unit from being a top notch defensive.
Having said all of that, I still think Scam and the Looters will win the SEC Championship…..and the National Championship.
And the SEC is still a very strong conference.
Nova Roars
November 30th, 2010
1:55 pm
I don’t have any problems with the Gamecocks. But you can always rely on the Dawgs and Bammers who earlier in the season made snide remarks abouting eating their mascot – chickens. SCAR has earned their way to SEC East and Gamecocks will have a lot of support from UA and UGA to beat Auburn. But by next year, they’ll return to their normal nasty selves and start the mascot bashing all over again – Gamecocks not being spared either.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:55 pm
“Give it 8 months son, and a .500 record will be .500 better than Auburn’s.”
Poor 6-6er.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 30th, 2010
1:55 pm
Go Gamecocks! Put a wrinkle in the old BCS system.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
1:57 pm
North Over South
Which year did UF get killed by Nebraska?
Alabama | MrSEC.com
November 30th, 2010
1:58 pm
[...] glad to be past Georgia Tech and its triple-option attack.4. Steve Spurrier has now proven that South Carolina can be a player in the SEC.5. Spurrier changed his Monday practice routine after a loss to Arkansas and Carolina is 3-0 [...]
UGA Insider
November 30th, 2010
2:00 pm
I have been predicting that USCe would win the East ever since their debacle vs.UCONN last season. I looked at their skill positions then looked over at UGA’s and UF’s roster and it wasn’t even close. I knew this team would be winners when the USCe Baseball team won the NC. I thought that title would rub off on the football team and that’s exactly what insiders within the USCe program have told me.
Unless UGA gets every recruit they are pursuing, look for USCe to repeat as SECEast champs. They just have too many athletes for UGA to compete with next year.
Blackberry Cobbler
November 30th, 2010
2:02 pm
It proves that Spurrier has done more with less than UGA and CMR.
UGA and all it’s much-praised and highly rated recruiting classes have accomplished very little and are undercoached.
CMR will get 1 more year but the result is already inevitable. It only delays the obvious and CMR knows it, we all know it.
Red Roosterette
November 30th, 2010
2:02 pm
Times have changed for the legacy SEC East gluttons known as UGA, TN and FL. Recruiting, playing with heart and good coaching determines a winner. Our top ranked classes are paying off this year. It takes a few years to build a program and we have arrived. We will be the East beast again next year, but like any SEC team, each year is a continuing process. USCe is no one hit wonder and look forward to seeing all of you fall 2011. The Gamecock Nation will enjoy this weekend, win or lose. The point is: UGA, FL, and TN, we are at the dance, and you’re not!!! GO Gamecocks and make it Orange Crush #2!
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
2:02 pm
“They just have too many athletes for UGA to compete with next year.”
Considering that CMR wanted Cam Newton as a tight end, I’d say UGA has WAY more problems than recruiting.
jarvis
November 30th, 2010
2:02 pm
Oh yeah…you’re heating me up with that 6-6 talk. You think I’m not aware of that?
I spent $1,200 of my hard-earned money to purchase season tickets for a steaming pile of misery.
You think having some Sophmore sitting out a semester due to a dean-ordered academic suspension from the South’s great “back-up plan” school is going to make me feel the slightest bit worse about my spending choices?
I think not.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
2:02 pm
“UGA and all it’s much-praised”
No one outside of GA praises UGA. Not. One. Person.
Nova Roars
November 30th, 2010
2:03 pm
Mac – absolutely correct. My bad. Got confused on which week we played them. For everyone calling out the great players at SCAR, Auburn has a few as well. Contrary to moronic statements earlier in the year, we are NOT a one man team with Newton. Don’t forget McCabb, Adams, Dyer, Etheridge. Our D at the line is unstoppable and our secondary HAS made the necessary adjustments. This SEC matchup will be chock full of talent on both sides.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
2:03 pm
“I spent $1,200 of my hard-earned money to purchase season tickets for a steaming pile of misery.”
Your problem, not mine.
“South’s great “back-up plan” school”
Huh?
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
2:04 pm
“Don’t forget McCabb, Adams, Dyer, Etheridge.”
AND Lezenkerkin!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael
November 30th, 2010
2:05 pm
SC finally got the timing they needed to get into the title game. Most years, 5-3 in the East is good enough for 3rd place and a trip to Tampa on January 1. This year they just happened to get that record when everybody else was 4-4 or worse. Enjoy it while you can Coots; it won’t happen again anytime soon. Auburn wins easily.
jarvis
November 30th, 2010
2:05 pm
I bet Lowcountry Dawg lives in SC, and he praised UGA sometimes. That’s one, and then there’s SoCal Dawg, and DawginFL. You don’t know anyting about anything.
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
2:06 pm
“You don’t know anyting about anything.”
Pot meet kettle.
Chuck
November 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
Dave, the stakes will be a lot higher on Saturday than they were back in September.
Auburn Fan, were you one of the fans booing the Auburn AD at the airport when he flew back to announce Chizik’s hire?
the 9 lives of Auburn
November 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
how many times can this team come from behind? their luck will run out in the dome this week… turnover advantage will go to SC and that’ll be it… SC in the SUGAR BOWL
Nova Roars
November 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
Auburn Fan
November 30th, 2010
2:04 pm
“Don’t forget McCabb, Adams, Dyer, Etheridge.”
AND Lezenkerkin!!!!!!!!!!!!
***************************
Luzenwatkinstein. Lukenkrakin. Luzenwhosin. LOL!!! But yeah! That guy! WDE!!!
Alphare
November 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
Lou Holtz brought his son and SC didn’t show much, Steve Spurrier brought his son and SC was a non-factor, Mike Shanahan has his son and Red Skins is horrible, Bobby Petrino had his brother and Falcons were bad. Bobby Bowden broght his son and FSU was draining.
I thought only commie countries still do this kind of stuff.
Then Steve Spurrier fired his son as play caller, and now SC is SEC East champ. Bob Petrino let go his brother, he did the best coaching in SEC West this season.
Nova Roars
November 30th, 2010
2:08 pm
the 9 lives of Auburn
November 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
how many times can this team come from behind? their luck will run out in the dome this week… turnover advantage will go to SC and that’ll be it… SC in the SUGAR BOWL
***********************
Actually it’s 12 lives going on 13. But who’s counting anyway?