The University of South Carolina Gamecocks football team enters into the 2010 season with high hopes and unquestioned potential as a squad. For the Fighting Gamecocks to realize their dreams and not get their hopes dashed, a successful month of September is the key to SEC contention and dreams of a trip to Atlanta to come to fruition.
Let’s breakdown what must be done in September…
The Gamecocks start off their season with a very competitive Southern Miss Golden Eagles squad that some have pegged as contenders for the Conference USA crown. Without doing a full blown preview, as that will be later, this team has the talent and abilities to make that first game in Columbia very interesting. Make no mistake about it – the Golden Eagles will come looking for something to prove. For USC, it is about focusing on this game and only this game. Don’t worry about the second one versus Georgia. USC must come ready and hitting on all cylinders as this is not like playing Tennessee Tech or UL Lafayette the first game. No cupcake here or tune-up contest. I feel strongly USC will win; it is more so a matter of in what fashion. USC needs to make this game look easy and not struggle. From a confidence standpoint, winning game one comfortably must be done.
The second game does not get easier for Coach Spurrier’s boys as the Bulldogs of Georgia come to town looking to show they are not all bark in 2010. Heck, more so looking to protect Coach Richt’s job in 2010 is a better statement. This game too will be a doozy like the first for Carolina and like the history of the rivalry. Circle it on your calendar and make sure to tune in as it will be worth it. For both teams, this is a must win game if any success in the SEC is going to be achieved. Both Spurrier and Richt know how important winning this game is as historically of late the winner does go on to have a successful season. Carolina must win this game and I feel they will do it because of Stephen Garcia and Stephon Gilmore but again saving the preview till later. Winning game two has to be accomplished if dreams of SEC glory are to be more than just a dream in 2010.
Game three has Furman University coming to town. This will be the third home game in a row for USC and they should be coming off back-to-back wins. So the ol’ mo is in their favor and SC will look to carry that into the fourth game of September against Auburn. But again for USC, it is taking this season one game at a time and not overlooking anyone – even Furman. For USC, they need to jump out to a good lead in this game and get some extra reps for other players and allow starters to rest up a bit. USC will win this game and the march towards Atlanta continues.
The fourth game as I noted in my last column is a wildcard in my view. Auburn’s offense is potent but if USC can hang around they have a chance. This game is not “must win” material for Carolina but they either have to win this one or Arkansas if they want to be crowned SEC East Champs. Don’t get me wrong as I truly feel USC has the potential to win this game but if it does not happen. Well, it is not the end of the world. Let’s see how they fare in the first three before drawing conclusions on the outcome of this game. Would love for USC to win this road game as last season they lost all of them.
If USC can escape the month of September sitting at 3-1 / 1-1 SEC or better then it safe to continue dreaming of the Gamecocks as SEC East champs. If they are 4-0 / 2-0, heck even Dabo will high five the Head Ball Coach.
Any worse than a record like that and it may prove time to take some air out of the high hopes as it is the SEC remember. Every game counts. By beating Southern Miss, UGa and Furman all the goals are still in play. Beating Auburn at Auburn is icing on the cake entering October. Losing at Auburn, again is not cause to lose control. Losing to UGa and Auburn, well you can join me as I bang my head against the wall as Carolina will be sitting at 2-2 overall and 0-2 SEC. Cause for concern can set in deeply.
Coach Spurrier and the fans of Carolina know how important starting off strong is as USC has done it before. In 2010, it is about starting off strong and maintaining that high level of play throughout the remainder o f the SEC season. Then taking the energy into the Florida game and getting the win. Going to Clemson and beating your rival as you finalize plans for the SEC Championship game.
Can it be done? You betcha. It begins with September.
___
The blog post first appeared on SouthernPigSkin as we are a columnist for them covering the USC Gamecocks Football team.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
