2007 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Picks & Predictions
June 6, 2008
The South Carolina Gamecocks once again start ranked near the bottom of the SEC conference in the 8th position. Yet the Gamecocks return 17 starters including their play caller in Black Mitchell under center. Mitchell begins his third season running Steve Spurrier’s offense and should be ready for a very big year. Mitchell completed 135 of 202 passes at a 67% rate for 1,789 yards with 10 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. He has a load of receivers to make plays this season despite the early departure of Sidney Rice to the NFL Draft.
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Kenny McKinley, who had 51 catches for 880 yards and 5 touchdowns last season, leads the way for the Gamecock receiving corps. Junior college transfer Larry Freeman had a great spring and will likely take the other starting job across from McKinley. The Gamecocks have more depth than any team at the tight end position in seniors Andy Boyd and Robert Pavlovic. But the talk in Gamecock country revolves around converted safety Nick Prochak as he showed a knack for getting open and making sure-handed receptions in the spring.
Senior Cory Byrd is the ideal tailback in Spurrier’s offense. He is a tough runner who can get the extra yard and has just enough cutting ability to shake defenders and make him very tough to bring down. Three linemen have positions locked up including Jamon Meredith, a junior with already 17 career starts at the all-important left tackle position. Senior James Thompson is penciled in at right guard and William Brown at center. The battle at left guard and right tackle will likely continue into the fall with two-a-day practices.
There should be a tremendous improvement on defense with nine returning starters and loads of talent to boot. The new blood is most noticeable along the front line. The Gamecocks got early enrollments from Clifton Geathers, Tavian Robertson and Jonathan Williams at defensive end. Ladi Ajiboye came in early at tackle to also participate in spring workouts. The coaching staff is so thrilled about their new recruits that they moved ends Casper Brinkley, who started every game last season, and Ryan Brown, who started eight, to different positions. Brinkley fills in at linebacker while Brown moves to the offensive side of the ball at fullback.
South Carolina returns Marque Hall and Nathan Pepper at tackle, along with Jordin Lindsey and Eric Norwood at end. Norwood tied for the team lead with seven sacks last season, but will be battling to be a full-time starter still. Depth is not a problem along the front seven for the Gamecocks and this competition will only make the defense better as a whole. All-SEC middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley led the team with 107 tackles last season and will likely be flanked by his twin brother Casper on one side. Captain Munnerlyn, Stoney Woodson and Carlos Thomas will return in the secondary. Munnerly played in 12 games last season as a freshman and Spurrier has labeled Woodson and Thomas as two of the most improved players in the spring.
Steve Spurrier believes in his ability to get this team in contention for an SEC title. The problem is that the Gamecocks’ schedule says otherwise. Games on the road include contests at Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas. The Gamecocks have better talent than last season with 17 returning starters and a highly touted freshman class, but surpassing eight wins will not be easy.
Odds to Win BCS:
Sportsbook:
100-1
Bodog:
80-1
BetUS:
+1200 (Field)
Odds to Win SEC East:
BetUS:
+425
Bodog:
+500
