Bradley’s Buzz: Someone else likes South Carolina in 2010
"Don't despair, Steverino! I like your chances next time." (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
It’s not yet Valentine’s Day, so this is subject to change, but the leader in the clubhouse for post that has peeved the most folks in 2010 is the one where I dared to suggest South Carolina might be poised for a better football season than the Georgia-based SEC representative.
I got the usual dismissive response — “Bradley, you’re just trolling for a reaction” — but I really wasn’t. I actually believe South Carolina is poised for a better season. And now, from Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com’s Insiders, comes something in the way of corroborating testimony. Feldman lists South Carolina as the No. 1 team being overlooked for 2010. (Link requires registration.) His rationale:
“If the Gamecocks don’t come up with that clunker in the bowl game, I suspect they’re preseason top 20, but let’s not overreact too much to that game. QB Stephen Garcia did make some nice strides in 2009, and Carolina does return 19 of 22 starters. Better still, it just landed a potential impact freshman in RB Marcus Lattimore, who could — and should — do wonders for the SEC’s worst rushing game. Those reasons have me thinking this should be Steve Spurrier’s best Carolina team yet, although that’s probably not saying all that much. New O-line coach Shawn Elliott needs to bolster the group up front (they did surrender 36 sacks last season). The schedule also breaks fairly well with Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas all having to visit Columbia this year. The two toughest SEC road games: at Florida and at Auburn.”
Understand: I’m a Gamecock skeptic of long standing. I got much grief from the Palmetto State when, back in 2007, I agreed with Lee Corso that Spurrier would never win the SEC while working in Columbia. (And then, as is invariably the case with me, Spurrier and Carolina beat Georgia in Athens.) But I do think there’s a stability with the other USC that isn’t present anywhere else in the SEC East save Vanderbilt. And I think that stability will count for something this fall.
Would I pick Carolina to win the East? Nope. Even with the players and coaches Florida has lost, I’d take the Gators. And I think Georgia could have a nice rebound year and maybe even go 9-3. But I think the Gamecocks could likewise go 9-3 and beat the Bulldogs at Williams-Brice on Sept. 11. (That will be the first road start for whoever is Georgia’s quarterback.)
I know, I know. South Carolina always promises much and delivers much less. I’m fully aware of the Chicken Curse. But this one time, I could see the Gamecocks finishing (slightly) ahead of Georgia. This one time.
Then again, I liked the Colts over the Saints. And Texas over Alabama. And Tech over Georgia in basketball. And Tech over Georgia in football. And …
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164 comments Add your comment
knoxdawg
February 10th, 2010
3:21 pm
I can see where you are coming from in this article. 19 out of 22 staters back they should be the favorite to win SEC East. However, until somebody beats the Gators they will be the favorites and rightly so. Carolina does have a favorable schedule and the first half is easier than second half. Should be one heck of a game between Dawgs and Cocks in Sept. However, loser is not out of the race for the East, just got a little harder hill to climb!
Typical Blogster
February 10th, 2010
3:22 pm
FIRST. Ditto. Blah. Blah. Blah. Says it all.
Mark Bradley
February 10th, 2010
3:22 pm
Usually it’s Tennessee-Florida that is the early elimination game in the SEC East, but this year it could be Georgia-Carolina.
DirtyDawg
February 10th, 2010
3:28 pm
Thanks Bradley, we needed that. Now if SI will just pick Steve to return to being Superior then I know we’ll have it in the bag. Fact is Georgia’s been having trouble with South Carolina for as long as most of us have been around, at least dating back to 1959 where a tie with a multi-loss SC was the only blemish on an otherwise undefeated season, so this year won’t likely be any different. But at least now you’ve given us a reason to be optimistic.
WondreDawg
February 10th, 2010
3:29 pm
Off topic, but Mark what do you think about the Braves offering Damon, or are you saving that for another blog? Shultz is on the bandwagon …
sam
February 10th, 2010
3:38 pm
south carolina has a football team?
WonderDawg
February 10th, 2010
3:38 pm
knoxdawg, you’re right, it could be a 3 or 4 way tie for the east. I just hope Coach Richt comes out of his creative coma offensively this off-season and puts some new stuff in the playbook. Stuff like his first 2 or 3 years in Athens – downfield passing, no-huddle offense, just getting the ball in the hands of our playmakers like Green, Ealey, Brandon Smith.
Conyers Yellow Jacket
February 10th, 2010
3:39 pm
Mark: This Yellow Jacket fan thinks UGA will easily win the SEC East because of such an easy schedule compared to 2009.
jarvis
February 10th, 2010
3:43 pm
This is their year. Just like every other year.
jarvis
February 10th, 2010
3:45 pm
The real question is, “Who will write the South Carolina will finally turn the corner this year?” in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
I think Shultz is probably due for a turn. I don’t think he’s written it since 2005.
Cocky
February 10th, 2010
3:55 pm
sky high,
You seem slightly delusional about UGA Defensive staff. How can you put them in the upper tier of the SEC when they just got a new defensive staff? They haven’t even played a game yet and you think their awesome. Also, having a QB with no experience to start the year isn’t a good recipe for success. You make me laugh think UGA staff in ahead by a mile. I can’t wait for all you UGA fans to come to columbia and get your azzes handed to ya. Should of lost this year, but that’s how it goes. I bet all you UGA fans will be wishing you had Cox back once your inexperienced QB steps out on Williams-Brice.
Dawg 3/20
February 10th, 2010
3:57 pm
“lame *ocks = zzzzzzzzz”
Thats funny, too bad they were responsible for one of the biggest losses in UGA history in ‘07 which ended up costing them an SEC East Title and a possible national championship.
South Carolina 16 UGA 12
Spurrier
February 10th, 2010
4:00 pm
A moment in UGA history from 2007
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdweiss/1420990124/
sky high
February 10th, 2010
4:12 pm
I agree, in the SEC East it will be South Carlina and Georgia in 2010.
Bama lost 9 starters on defense in 2009, so 2010 will not be their year either.
In 2011, Florida and Bama should be back.
skyhigh
February 10th, 2010
4:16 pm
I’m an idiot. I apologize but I just can’t help myself.
Buckhead Dawg
February 10th, 2010
4:18 pm
I always laugh when I hear the number of returning starters on a not good team. Weren’t these the same 19 guys that collectively contributed to the team sucking last year???
skyhigh
February 10th, 2010
4:19 pm
Florida actually has a lot of talent – more than anyone else in the SEC East – I just like to be an idot and claim otherwise.
sky high
February 10th, 2010
4:21 pm
Mark/AJC-
Can you please ban the guy who posted here at 4:16 posing as me.
That’s not what we’re about here.
Thanks.
skyhigh
February 10th, 2010
4:23 pm
Also, I like to whine a lot and act like a little baby. But heck, it’s what I am!
Leedawg
February 10th, 2010
4:27 pm
South Carolina will not win anything with Garcia at QB. He’s good for 2 losses all by himself. And HTF, please get back on the meds. No freshman will ever win the Heisman and he’ll be gone after his junior year.
Loran, Whatayagot?
February 10th, 2010
4:29 pm
Matk, they will have much better components next year than they have had. The most important component is missing and that is a reliable QB. Stephen Garcia is inconsistant, immature, and I would not be surprised if he was arrested partying too much in Columbia before a big game. He doesn’t impress me at all. So, no to Steve and Stephen.
Cocky
February 10th, 2010
4:30 pm
sky high,
It’s funny that even your fellow UGA fans think your crazy. I wouldn’t count out UF just yet. They also have a pretty good QB that should start next year. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t UGA lose quite a few defensive starter this year?
Gator Chomp Delusional Fan
February 10th, 2010
4:35 pm
Urban Meyer will spend the next 35 years coaching for the Florida Gators and we will win 17 Championships.
What? He’s never coached more than 5 years anywhere?
Yeah? Well, uhhhh, duhhhhh….
miles above you
February 10th, 2010
4:36 pm
Florida is loaded with talent, and this notion that they have inferior coaching is absurd. Further, this notion that Georgia’s new defensive coordinator is more qualified than Nick Saban is so outlandishly moronic it’s pathetic! If he is so well thought of, why was he Georgia’s fifth or sixth choice? And why was he a defensive line coach? Heck, by the sounds of it, he should be Georgia’s head coach instead. Or maybe he should take Saban’s job?
sky high is just that, he’s REALLY high.
sky high is DELUSIONAL
February 10th, 2010
4:36 pm
FACT: Florida has more talent than anyone else in the SEC East
FACT: Florida has the best head coach in the SEC East
FACT: Florida only lost one starter from their 2 deep OL and return 4 RB’s that cumulatively ran for 1965 yards in 09
FACT: Even though they lost Tebow Florida has a better QB situation than UGA or UT
FACT: Monte Kiffin IS a much better Defensive Coordinator than Todd Grantham with miles and miles longer on his resume than Grantham and his defense last season at UT went from a top 5 D to being ranked in the 20’s.
FACT: Sky high is a delusional moron with his rants and misguided homerism
sky high is DELUSIONAL
February 10th, 2010
4:39 pm
Urban Meyer won’t be leaving UF for at least another 6-8 years minnimum so I would quell all that wishfull thinking dog fans. Instead of PRAYING he leaves how about getting a head coach who can compete with him.
David
February 10th, 2010
4:40 pm
I’m a Dawg fan but we’re on our way down I’m afraid.
DawginLex
February 10th, 2010
4:44 pm
Denver dog,
I was in columbia in 1988. Todd ellis? It was hotter than blazes.
Went under the stadium and saw somebody get arrested for drinking booze. That was back in the day when they had the “judge” under the stands.
Football Fan
February 10th, 2010
4:47 pm
That’s one person agreeing with Bradley and 80,000 disagreeing.
Monticello Dawg
February 10th, 2010
4:57 pm
1. The Spurrier remark about 4-5 star players was made in the Goff era. Though Richt has not gotten anywhere near the five star players Florida, LSU, and lately Bama has, Meyer is the only SEC coach with a winning record against Richt. CMR is 3-1 against Bama.
2. Having a young quarterback is a concern, though Murray is a redshirt freshman and will have two spring practices under his belt. I have a feeling this kid is special.
3. About the defensive staff, sure they will be better in 2011, but does anyone not believe they will be significantly upgraded over the last few years? Couple an improved defense with a better offense, cut down on turnovers and penalties, and this team will be dangerous in 2010, and one of the best in 2011.
Dzerzhinsky
February 10th, 2010
5:03 pm
Well, if UGA finishes third behind Carolina, then maybe Richt can try firing Bobo and the rest of the offensive coaches and see if that does any good. That ought to get him at least another year.
pittSPURgh
February 10th, 2010
5:03 pm
As a lifelong Gamecock fan, I often feel as you do at this moment, Mr. Bradley. Obviously, that has led to much disappointment in my 37 years.
Still, I again hold out hope for something special “next year,” as we Gamecock fans often cite as “the one” that will mean most to our program. But things are set up nicely for us as we return so much and others — UGA included — have question marks in key places.
Also, Matthews is not gone. He will lead the Carolina D next year.
Another Dawg
February 10th, 2010
5:14 pm
South Carolina is ALWAYS overlooked because they ALWAYS fall apart at the end of the year and never address their ongoing concerns. When they had great playmakers (McKinnley, Rice) they had no QB. When they have a QB, they have no run game or no pass blocking. They always have a pretty good defense and they always come out of the gate strong (except, y’know, in that annual waste of a Thursday against NC State.)
I was in Williams-Bryce last year for the South Carolina-Ole Miss game, which was the most complete game they’ve played since beating UGA in 2007. They still struggled some and they definitely regressed over the course of the season. It never surprises me if USC upsets us with Spurrier, and likewise it never surprises me when USC tanks at the end of the year.
gamecock guy here
February 10th, 2010
5:16 pm
i love this about the UGA matchup this year:
a – in columbia
b – first road start and SEC tilt for your freshman qb
c – Mr. Spurrier will know how to exploit your new defensive scheme
d – first SEC game for new DC
e – UGA lost 2 best defensive players to the NFL
f – SC has 19 of 22 starters returning to a squad that lost on the last play of the game in Athens last year.
let’s go Cocks!
law dawg
February 10th, 2010
5:32 pm
Just because there’s more than one idiot in the pundit business doesn’t mean you’re stupid post has been validated. We certainly could lose to the Chickens,but they will fade as usual. They still have no depth.
GaGator
February 10th, 2010
5:35 pm
Mark,
Couldn’t agree more -this should be Spurrier’s best team and they will give everybody fits, even my Gators—–we are lucky to have them at home.
chin music
February 10th, 2010
5:37 pm
MB, in your next post do you mind predicting that johnny damon won’t sign with the braves? he’d be a great addition to the roster, and your mojo might be a big help in landing him. thanks in advance
winby1
February 10th, 2010
5:39 pm
I pull for the Gamecocks every year because I dislike Clemson fans so much but Garcia is the typical SC quarterback. He just can’t seem to get the job done at crunch time! SC players year after year make so many stupid mistakes that beat them and until that changes I don’t see them winning the east in the SEC!! If Lattimore can take the game out of Garcia’s hands then maybe SC has something. I just don’t think Garcia has the smarts!!
Will
February 10th, 2010
5:42 pm
This sky high character is a comedian. He doesn’t know much about football, but likes to pretend he’s in the know on everything.
UConn’s DB coach didn’t shut down USC. USC’s receivers had 9-10 dropped passes. They couldn’t handle the cold, which is no excuse. They should have been prepared.
Todd Grantham isn’t a better defensive coach than Nick Saban. He may do well at UGA, but there will be some lumps to swallow in changing to the 3-4 defense.
USC does not have the same offensive line. They have some guys coming in that they really like.
Florida will not lose five games.
Denver Dog
February 10th, 2010
5:50 pm
Tough to disagree Mark with the Dawgs losing at SC with a new QB. 8-4 for UGA maybe.
Dawg Colonel
February 10th, 2010
5:54 pm
How can Carolina do anything with their dismal recruiting record?
Everyone is ready to throw the Dawgs under the bus because the recruiting class droppped out of the top 10. Now suddenly the Gamecocks are SEC contenders.
Which is it? Recruiting doesn’t matter or Spurrier has just figured out how to do more with less?
sky high
February 10th, 2010
6:00 pm
It’s very simple:
Either Muschamp, Smart, Foster & Saban were all WRONG about Grantham, or the Gaor fans here are all RIGHT about Grantham.
I’m going with Muschanp, Smart, Foster & Saban.
Call me crazy.
Cocklover
February 10th, 2010
6:00 pm
USC will win the SEC east this year. Urban is the Fred Sanford of the SEC with his “Elizabeth, it’s the big one” routine and UGA has a coach who will be out the door by year end. UT just hired a loser who couldn’t put together a winning season.
Been There
February 10th, 2010
6:00 pm
South Carolina’s performance in the bowl game here in Birmingham was downright ugly. Yeah, let’s pick them as a frontrunner this season.
Gator Chomp Delusional Fan
February 10th, 2010
6:07 pm
Look, the Gator defense in 2010 will be better than Scott Lakotas of UConn.
What? South Carolina passed for 186 yards and 1 TD and 25% conv on 3rd downs against Fla and only 129 and O TD’s and 20% 3rd down conversion against Lakotas?
Uhhh, mmmm, duuuhh, what?
Cocklover
February 10th, 2010
6:09 pm
Gator Chump,
You forget Charlie Strong and Tardbow are no longer there. It is funny that you guys forget championships come in cycles and your time has passed.
C*cklover
February 10th, 2010
6:13 pm
Gator Chump,
You forgot that Charlie Strong and Turdbow are no longer there. Our coach is the one who made you who you are. What happens when Urban keels over or the story about his grad student mistress hits the press? You guys are toast
Phil
February 10th, 2010
6:15 pm
I love reading these threads – very entertaining.
To all those Garcia bashers out there …. the kid is just a rising redshirt junior. Sure, he has made plenty of mistakes – what young QB doesn’t? However, outside of Mallet (maybe), what SEC QB would you rather have for this season? He was terrific against UGA in Athens last year and every Dawg fan I spoke with afterwards acknowledged that.
You Dawg fans may not respect him, but that’s ok. He’ll be 1st or 2nd team All-SEC this year – mark my words.
DaWg
February 10th, 2010
6:19 pm
No one is better than Saban. Any one is better than Willie. Gratham may not be Saban, but just by being able to breathe, we are a better team.
Flushed out of the pocket
February 10th, 2010
6:28 pm
This will be the beginning of the end for CMR. A loss to the gamecocks then another beat down by Tenn and Florida will definitely put CMR on the hot seat. MARK IT DOWN !