AJC’s Jeff Schultz Says Gamecocks Football 5th Best in SEC

The USC Gamecocks are the 5th best team in the SEC according to the AJC’s sports writer Jeff Schultz who recently provided a rundown of how he sees the SEC teams post-SEC Media Days.  I am not sold on his ranking or his reasoning when looking at USC.  USC is too low and his reasoning is off but first check out his listing…

He “ranked the 12 schools by a combination of perceived current strength and the program’s direction.”  His rankings, without descriptions, is listed below (to see the full article Click Here) –

1. Alabama
2. UF
3. LSU
4. UGa
5. USC
6. Ark
7. Ole Miss
8. Auburn
9. UT
10. MSU
11. UK
12. Vandy

Do you agree?

I feel Arkansas is too low as I would switch out them with LSU.  I honestly would flip USC and UGa (I think SC is 4th).  Then flip Ole Miss and Auburn.  The rest is fine.

His reasoning for putting USC at 5th is –

SOUTH CAROLINA: Steve Spurrier made his mark on offense. His South Carolina teams have been strong on defense. Even he mused that for the first time in his career, he received a salary bonus for his team’s graduation rate, not a bowl game. South Carolina is a stable and competitive program with a great fan base. But Spurrier can’t recruit talented skill position players to Columbia. It wouldn’t be a shock if he retires after this season.

Jeff – What?  Stable?  USC is improving as a program year after year.  Give ya that the results on the field seem to be the same with 7 wins being averaged but overall the program is heading in the right direction.  Even Spurrier said that at SEC Media Days.  And to say USC cannot recruit “skill players” is like saying my momma’s sweet tea is too sweet…ludicrous… and don’t repeat this statement to Alshon Jeffery, Stephon Gilmore and Marcus Lattimore…just to name a few.

I realize this is an end of July ranking so I will end here as every team is 0-0 right now.  We will get to see what our beloved Gamecocks are all about in 39 days when they play Southern Miss on Sept. 2nd.  I trust they will prove me right all in due time.  Look at Gators as the boys in garnet and black are coming for your spot.