GoGamecocks.com
Magazines are cautious about USC
What the preseason magazines and Web sites are saying about USC’s chances this season:
South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia
BrettFlashnick.com/Special to The State
Posted on 07.03.09
CommentsSporting News Magazine
Predicted finish: 3rd in SEC East
Comment: “The Gamecocks’ program is in Stephen Garcia’s hands. That notion might be scary to some fans, but maybe he can get the job done. This offseason, South Carolina hired quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus to mold Garcia into an SEC-Caliber quarterback.”
southernpigskin.com
Predicted finish: 4th in SEC East
Comment: “You have to be impressed with the young talent, as Steve Spurrier and his staff have done a great job recruiting. But outside of Eric Norwood, there aren’t many proven stars. So much rides on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia.”
Offensive MVP: Stephen Garcia, QB
Defensive MVP: Eric Norwood, LB
Rising Star: Chris Culliver, S
Newcomer to Watch: Stephon Gilmore, CB
Key Game: at Tennessee, Oct. 31
Phil Steele Magazine
Predicted finish: 4th in SEC East
Comment: “I felt USC had the talent the last two years to finish higher than they did in the SEC East. This year they have 11 returning starters (second fewest in the SEC). Spurrier’s squad overachieved in his first season but I feel they’ve underachieved the last three seasons and could easily turn it around.”
Athlon Magazine
Predicted finish: 5th in SEC East
Comment: “South Carolina has to learn how to finish if Steve Spurrier ever hopes to win an SEC title. Season-ending losing skids in 2007 (five games) and 2008 (three games) killed momentum and prompted questions about whether Spurrier can get it done in Columbia.
“Spurrier has signed two top-20 recruiting classes, so he has talent. But does he have enough?”
collegefootballnews.com
Comment: “The quick hook and the quirky rotations that worked so well at times throughout Spurrier’s career killed last season’s offensive production. Yes, the line had a lot to do with that, but none of the quarterbacks were ever allowed to make a mistake, getting yanked far too quickly... .
“This isn’t going to be an SEC East title season, but it could be the type of year that shows that there might be some life in Spurrier and the program going forward... .”
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