| The South Carolina Gamecocks went 7-6 last | | | | Defense: |
| season, including a 3-5 mark in SEC play. Head | | | | South Carolina has become and excellent |
| coach Steve Spurrier was brought here to | | | | defensive team over the past few years. They |
| resurrect this program, but he is just 35-28 in five | | | | gave up just 20.4 points per game last year and |
| seasons. With eight offensive and seven | | | | 300.7 total yards per contest, with the latter |
| defensive starters back from a team that lost | | | | ranking 15th in the nation. The secondary was the |
| 7-20 to Connecticut in the Bowl, this should be a | | | | strength of this defense last year, giving up just |
| very motivated Gamecocks squad to start the | | | | 163.0 passing yards per game which ranked 8th in |
| season. | | | | the country. Three starters return at this level, |
| Take a look below for a preview of the offense | | | | led by sophomore CB Stephon Gilmore. He is |
| and defense that South Carolina will be putting on | | | | primed for a big NFL career in the future. Akeem |
| the field this season. | | | | Auguste returns and will convert to safety, while |
| Offense: | | | | Chris Culliver is the third returning starter and he'll |
| For the Gamecocks to improve on the woeful | | | | swap places with Auguste, moving to cornerback. |
| 20.6 points per game they scored a year ago, | | | | DE Cliff Matthews has proven himself as a solid |
| they must get better play from junior QB | | | | pass rusher, but the Gamecocks must find |
| Stephen Garcia. He has had two years to grasp | | | | someone opposite him. Devin Taylor is expected |
| Spurrier's system, and could be primed for a | | | | to get the nod. LB Shaq Wilson is, pound for |
| breakthrough 2010 campaign. To help out Garcia, | | | | pound, one of the toughest at his position in the |
| the offensive line and running game must improve. | | | | SEC. He returns for his junior season, while the |
| South Carolina finished dead last in rushing in 2009, | | | | Gamecocks get MLB Rodney Paulk back after |
| and the offensive line has given up way too many | | | | tearing a knee ligament in the season-opener last |
| sacks in recent seasons. | | | | year. His return is a huge boost to the linebackers. |
| Though Garcia threw for 2,862 yards last year, | | | | SEC Prediction: 3rd East Division - At times, the |
| he managed to complete just 55 percent of his | | | | Gamecocks looked like they could beat anyone |
| passes. With a better effort on the ground, he | | | | last year. But at other times, such as their 7-20 |
| would certainly be more efficient as the opposition | | | | loss to Connecticut, South Carolina seems to play |
| then wouldn't be able to just pin their ears back | | | | to the level of their competition. With so much |
| and come after him. Sophomore running backs | | | | returning experience and a solid recruiting class |
| Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles figure to get the bulk | | | | that features RB Marcus Lattimore, the |
| of the carries, but freshman Marcus Lattimore is | | | | Gamecocks could take the next step this season. |
| doing his best to get on the field after serving as | | | | The East is down a bit as many don't know what |
| South Carolina's Mr. Football in high school last | | | | to expect from Florida or Georgia. So if Garcia |
| season, making him one of the top recruits in the | | | | can come into his own finally while also getting |
| country. Sophomore WR Alston Jeffery was a | | | | help from the running game and offensive line, the |
| stud late last season, catching 41 balls over the | | | | sky is the limit for the Gamecocks in 2010. I have |
| team's final eight games. Freshman Ace Sanders | | | | them pegged at third place in this division but |
| has big-time potential as a slot receiver. Junior | | | | would not be surprised to seem them finish |
| Jason Barnes and sophomore Tori Gurley also will | | | | second or even first if a few things go their way. |
| figure into the WR rotation. | | | | |
