College Football 2013 Top 25 Preview: No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks
By Ty Duffy
2012 Recap: South Carolina was a firm, just below Alabama-tier SEC team. 2012 came down to three games. The Gamecocks beat down Georgia, struggled offensively against LSU and had a rigged, throw your PS3 remote game against Florida. Substantial victories against Clemson and Michigan capped a second-straight 11-win season (just the third double-digit win year in school history). Marcus Lattimore blew out his knee. Jadeveon Clowney became a college football household name.
Offense: If Spurrier is patient, Connor Shaw will be the guy. He’s mobile. He’s tough. He wins. To get through this season unscathed, he’s going to need help. All of South Carolina’s returning guards and tackles have starting experience. Mike Davis should be a productive tailback. Nice tight ends. The key will be Damiere Byrd, Shaq Roland or someone living up to their recruiting hype and offering a threat to replace Ace Sanders.
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Schedule Gods Giveth: South Carolina plays Georgia’s defense early and after a test against Clemson, plays Florida at home late after a bye week and drew Mississippi State (home) and Arkansas (away) from the SEC West. Both Florida and Georgia must play LSU. They also get Vanderbilt and Clemson at home.
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Ceiling: 12-0. Connor Shaw has a huge year. The young linebackers develop as the season progresses. Clowney racks up the sacks and makes a strong Heisman run.
Floor: 7-5. South Carolina does not develop a playmaker on offense. Shaw gets hurt. Injuries sap strength from the offensive and defensive lines and the secondary.
Prediction: 11-1. Clowney has a monster year. The Gamecocks roll through a soft schedule with one obligatory hiccup. They meet Alabama, with a chance to play Steve Spurrierback into the BCS title game.
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