South Carolina Gamecocks Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
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2010 Record: 9-5 SEC Record: 5-3 (1st, East) 2011 Returning Starters: 13; 6 offense, 7 defense
Coach: Steve Spurrier, 44–33 (6 years)
Offensive Coordinators: Steve Spurrier Defensive Coordinators: Ellis Johnson
2011 South Carolina Players to Watch: QB Stephen Garcia, RB Marcus Lattimore, WR Alshon Jeffery, DT Travian Robertson, DE Devin Taylor, DE Jadeveon Clowney, SPUR DeVonte Holloman, DB Stephon Gilmore
2011 South Carolina Strengths:
Few teams around the country return the kind of experience in front-end starters at quarterback, tailback and receiver. The defense didn’t have much trouble getting to the quarterback last season and could be even better this year with Clowney in the mix.
2011 South Carolina Weaknesses:
The offensive line has three new starters and will put alot of inexperience on the field between a handful of redshirt and true freshmen. The secondary really hurt the Gamecocks last year and doesn’t have the kind of quality depth it needs this season. It’ll hope the front-line talent can avoid disaster.
2011 South Carolina Offense:
Finally with some experienced weapons in tow, Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina program has some substantiated expectations for a change. Not that the Ball Coach believes the Gamecocks are deserving, even though they won nine games in 2010 and reached the SEC title game for the first time in the program’s history. Why not, Coach? For starters, the Gamecocks bring back All-America candidates at running back and receiver. Sophomore Marcus Lattimore rushed for 1,197 yards last season, breaking the school’s freshman rushing record by 349 yards. And now he’s getting his first legit opportunity in the school’s weight program. Alshon Jeffery does not wow with speed, but physicality and consistency allowed him to rack up eight 100-yard games last season. As usual, much of the team’s success will be determined by its mercurial quarterback, Stephen Garcia. Suspended indefinitely to close out the spring the fifth time he’s been suspended Garcia could as easily flame out as he could spark the team. But when Garcia is on, he is on. The offensive line is again a giant question mark, even though this is the first time since 2008 that it retains the position coach for a second straight season.
2011 South Carolina Defense:
As much as Lattimore was a game-changer for the offense, the Gamecocks are hopeful Jadeveon Clowney does the same for the defense. They’re not shy about that, either. South Carolina allowed an average of 15 points in its nine wins. In its five losses, however, the Gamecocks were torched for 37.8 points. Clowney is a 6’6″, 245-pound machine designed to get to the quarterback. He’ll have help from All-SEC rusher Devin Taylor (7.5 sacks in 2010) on the opposite end. Throw in Melvin Ingram (nine sacks), who can play both tackle and end, and tackle Travian Robertson, and the Gamecocks have one of the best starting defensive lines in the country. Linebacker will be an improved position with the return of Shaq Wilson from a hamstring injury that cost him the 2010 season. Moving physical junior DeVonte Holloman from strong safety to Spur linebacker figures to bolster a group that was previously a bit undersized. The secondary regularly struggled in 2010, but moving senior Akeem Auguste back to his familiar corner spot should go a long way toward steadying things. Expect Stephon Gilmore to bounce back at the opposite corner. D.J. Swearinger must take over as a leader at free safety.
2011 South Carolina Special Teams:
The Gamecocks hope new special teams coach John Butler can turn things around. South Carolina ranked No. 11 and 12 in the league in kickoff returns and punt returns, respectively, last season. He’ll start by looking for a new return man. There is also a three-way battle for placekicker – with Jay Wooten slightly out front – and at punter.
| 2011 South Carolina Football Schedule | South Carolina Football Sportsbooks |
2011 South Carolina Predictions:
A bevy of opportunities is again out there for Offense PerGame SEC National South Carolina. A relatively soft division. A manageable schedule. A host of returning talent, along with the addition of the nation’s top recruit. But there are some issues, most notably with Garcia at quarterback. And keep in mind that even in a breakthrough season, South Carolina still lost five games in 2010. A repeat in the SEC East is definitely a possibility but the Gamecocks still have plenty to prove.
2011 South Carolina Betting Odds:
South Carolina Current odds to win a National Championship: +2000
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