Steve Spurrier enters his third year as the coach at USC. He has said the team’s goal this year is no longer to have a winning record and to make a bowl game. The goal now is to win the SEC.
Offense
Senior QB Blake Mitchell is once again penciled in as the starter. Mitchell started off last year mediocre with the OL like swiss cheese and was benched for the mobile Syvelle Newton. Mitchell returned after halftime against Arkansas on a mission, throwing 10 touchdowns in the team’s final 18 quarters. Mitchell is an experienced accurate passer. He does not have a cannon, but can make all the necessary throws. He will be backed up by redshirt freshman Chris Smelley and sophomore Tommy Beecher. Star recruit Stephen Garcia may also get a look as a backup.
At running back, senior Cory Boyd is the star of the offense with Sidney Rice now in the NFL. Boyd gained over 1,200 all-purpose yards last year and figures to be one of the top running backs in the conference. Mike Davis, another established runner, also will get lots of carries as a junior. Scat back Bobby Wallace could get an occasional carry as a change of pace.
The offensive line is replacing three interior starters, but looks to be in better shape than it was at this time last year. Jamon Meredith is an all-SEC candidate at left tackle. Justin Sorensen is an established SEC lineman at right tackle. William Brown, a senior, has experience and will start at center. Left guard and right guard will be covered by either sophomore Garrett Anderson, senior James Thompson, former defensive tackle Lemuel Jean-Pierre, or redshirt freshman Kevin Young. Andy Boyd was 2nd team all-SEC at TE last year and is an excellent blocker.
At WR, junior Kenny McKinley returns as the leader of the core. He had over 50 receptions and 800 yards as a sophomore. He will be depended on to make key receptions now with the loss of Rice. Spurrier compared sophomore Jared Cook to Calvin Johnson during the spring with his size and speed, but Cook needs to work on his route running and hands to become a dependable receiver. Possession receiver Freddie Brown and speedster Moe Brown will also get plenty of looks. Highly regarded freshmen Chris Culliver, Jason Barnes, and Dion LeCorn will get opportunities as well.
Overall, the offense looks to be in good shape, and with Spurrier in charge it could be hard to stop.
Defense
The defense is led by MLB Jasper Brinkley, an All-American candidate. Tyrone Nix enters his 3rd year as the defensive coordinator with what could be a very stingy Gamecock defense.
The front seven looks as good as it ever has in Gamecock history. On the defensive line, star freshmen Ladi Ajiboye, Travian Robertson, and Cliff Matthews have been deemed unblockable by Spurrier during practice. Last year Eric Norwood was named a Freshman All-American and was the team leader in sacks last year with 7. Jordin Lindsey, Nathan Pepper, Marque Hall, and Joel Reaves are also established SEC defensive linemen.
At linebacker, Jasper Brinkley may be the top MLB in the country, and returns for his senior season. His twin brother Casper Brinkley had a solid season last year and will be moved from the defensive line to linebacker because of the depth. Freshman All-SEC Rodney Paulk will return as well. Dustin Lindsey, Marvin Sapp, and Cody Wells will all return to make up the two-deep at LB.
Captain Munnerlyn and Carlos Thomas are penciled in as the starters at cornerback. Munnerlyn made a positive impact as a freshman. Thomas struggled after being moved from offense last year but was improved towards the end of the year. Stoney Woodson, a junior, will be the nickelback. Emanuel Cook, another Freshman All-SEC player, is the starting strong safety. Brandon Isaac returns from a medical redshirt year to start his final year at free safety, and should be solid. Chris Hampton, Darian Stewart, and blue chip recruit Mark Barnes will back up at safety.
Special Teams
New special teams coach Shane Beamer (Frank’s son) will try to help the return game and blocking improve. There was a lot of practicing on blocking kicks in the spring, so some Beamer ball in the fall might be fun.
The return game was an area of concern last year. It did look better late in the year when Munnerlyn became the primary kickoff returner. 5 star freshman Chris Culliver will get opportunities to return as well. McKinley has been the primary punt returner the last two years, but with his increased responsibility at receiver someone else may get a look.
Ryan Succop returns as the all-purpose kicker. He was a Lou Groza semi-finalist last year, hitting 16 of 20 FGs with a long of 55. He is one of the best in the country, and is a weapon in a close game.
Outlook
Carolina has the #2 most difficult schedule in the country this year, with away games at Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Florida and arch-rival Clemson also travel to Columbia for games. Most experts are picking USC 4th in the East behind Florida, Tennessee and Georgia.
The key game, as usual, is the 2nd game of the year at Georgia. If USC can escape Athens with a victory, it may catapult them to being a legitimate contender. However, the team is probably a year away with the tough schedule. 9 wins would be a fair prediction and a good year.
