2008 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Predictions
June 9, 2008
The team at Info Plays gives you our 2008 South Carolina football predictions along with a team preview. Steve Spurrier is looking to return SEC title contention but it won’t be easy. A disappointing 6-6 season last year saw numerous close losses including 5 straight setbacks to end the season. Players will be hungry to turn the corner this season and the Gamecocks should be able to start the season strong again with a cup-cake schedule with 4 of their first 5 games at home.
Offense:
Steve Spurrier is still in search of that electrifying quarterback he had when he was with the Gators. Redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia could be that guy, but he is suspended until mid-August because of off-field problems. Incoming freshman Aramis Hillary won’t likely have enough time to grasp the system. Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher will fight this summer for the starting job. Smelley is 4-2 as a starter and will likely get the nod, but Spurrier is not a fan of his mobility. Beecher is more nimble with a stronger arm and could benefit from Smelley’s offseason shoulder surgery.
The Gamecocks must also replace stud running back Cory Boyd. Senior Mike Davis looks to be his replacement, but freshman Eric Baker and sophomore Brian Maddox will vie for their fair share of carries. The Gamecocks have depth at receiver, but too much inexperience and youth. Jason Barnes, Matt Clements and Joe Hills could be special, but they are still unproven. Kenny McKinly is the leader at receiver, catching an SEC-high 77 passes last year. Dion Lecorn had 315 yards and 3 touchdowns while coming on late last year as well. The offensive line gave up 31 sacks in just 12 games last season, and it’s not just because of their immobile quarterbacks. All but one starter returns to provide some stability, something that Spurrier has missed out on in his tenure.
Defense:
The Gamecocks return 10 players on defense that started at least one game last season. But it was only due to their youth and nagging injuries, including those to stars Jasper Brinkley and tackle Nate Pepper. All-SEC choices in corner Captain Munnerlyn, safety Emanuel Cook and end Eric Norwood were all sophomores last season and will be asked to be even better this season. Arkansas and Florida piled up 99 points and 1,188 yards to steamroll South Carolina in two of their last 3 games last season.
Those terrible showings to end the year made Spurrier fire defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix and hire Ellis Johnson, a no-nonsense veteran of the SEC. Johnson’s first big move has been to move star Norwood from end to linebacker, made possible by the great depth the Gamecocks feature on the defensive line. Norwood had a school-record 19.5 tackles for lass last season, and will be in a down position in most passing situations. Sophomore end Cliff Mathews and tackle Ladi Ajiboye should blossom as sophomores and don’t be surprised if one of the two makes All-SEC in 2008.
South Carolina Gamecocks Predictions at Info Plays: 4th in SEC East
South Carolina got off to a 6-1 start last season to get the fans on the bandwagon, but 5 straight losses to end the season left a sour taste in Gamecock country. With a new defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, quarterback and running back this season, Steve Spurrier has labeled this season as another fresh start. There is a load of talent, but its yet to see if it will amount to any wins in an ultra-tough SEC East. With another back-loaded schedule, enough early victories should equal another bowl birth and likely a winning season. South Carolina will finish 4th in the SEC behind the Bulldogs, Gators and Volunteers as we see it.
