2008 Previews: South Carolina

By Tim Cottrell
Sports Writer/Designer
Published: June 29, 2008

South Carolina is 20th in our preview lineup. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.

The Gamecocks were one of the strangest stories of the 2007 season.

With wins over Georgia and Kentucky, SC was 6-1 and No. 6 in the polls in the middle of October.

Then everything went to pot.

They lost to Vanderbilt. They blew a huge rally against Tennessee. they got eaten alive by Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, and then by Tim Tebow and then lost on a last-second field goal to Clemson.

All of a sudden they were 6-6 and out of the bowl picture.

This year should be better, because there’s plenty of returning experience and a slightly easier schedule.

The Gamecocks must find a solid starter at quarterback, which should be a bit easier since they no longer have to deal with headcase Blake Mitchell. Chris Smelley performed well in several starts last year, but he’ll get a push from Tommy Beecher.

Virtually the entire receiving corps returns, but the Gamecocks will have a tough time replacing do-everything running back Cory Boyd. They return a pretty large stable of backs, but only one with a significant amount of carries.

The offensive line returns three starters.

Defensively, a unit that looked superb at times until the Arkansas and Florida games returns 10 starters and plenty of capable backups and should be a team strength, if they’ve gotten those terrible memories out of their heads.

If Florida and Georgia weren’t so good SC would probably have a decent shot at contending in the East. Otherwise, I’m sure the Gamecock faithful will be perfectly happy with another bowl trip.

Here’s the schedule:

Aug. 28: N.C. State
If you’re tuning into ESPN Thursday Night Football looking for offensive fireworks, you have come to the wrong place, my friend.

Sept. 4: at Vanderbilt
Revenge City in Nashville.

Sept. 13: Georgia
Steve Spurrier likes nothing better than beating Georgia (except maybe beating Tennessee) and they’ll give the Bulldogs all they want.

Sept. 20: Wofford
Next.

Sept. 27: UAB
A nice tune-up for a couple of big road games.

Oct. 4: at Ole Miss
This is one the Gamecocks should win, but it’s dangerous.

Oct. 11: at Kentucky
See above.

Oct. 18: LSU
SC could very well come into this one 6-1 again and could catch the Tigers looking ahead to their big date with Georgia the next week.

Nov. 1: Tennessee
There’s plenty of reason to think South Carolina could win this one, but I like Tennessee this year. Assuming they get some strong play under center.

Nov. 8: Arkansas
No McFadden, No Jones, no problem at home.

Nov. 15: at Florida
Still Tebow, still big problems.

Nov. 29: at Clemson
Clemson has, for the most part, always been able to beat the Gamecocks, even in those horrible underachieving years.

SC should post a 7-5 record, maybe even 8-4.