Aaron Taylor: In wide open SEC East, USC could be 10-win team
50 Opinions, Day 32: Between now and the season-opener against North Carolina on Sept. 3, we will ask 50 people: “What do you think about the Gamecocks in 2015?” We’re counting down the days until kickoff. Today’s panelist is Aaron Taylor, CBS college football analyst and former NFL offensive lineman:
“There’s a chance they won’t be as good offensively, and defensively I think there’s a pretty good chance they are going to be quite a bit better. When you look historically, I think that was the worst defense Spurrier has ever had, and I think it was the second-best offense they have ever had. Without a solidification of the quarterback position, that’s going to be a position of focus on that team. I think what everybody is waiting to see is: Can South Carolina get back to playing South Carolina football on the defensive side of the ball? I think they have a strong opportunity to do that. It’s hard to say (about the record). When you look at them last year, they were a seven-win team, probably could have been a 10-win team but they couldn’t finish. I think at least seven wins, maybe eight or nine. They could even be a 10-win team. The East is wide open this year. Georgia looks to be the favorite. Everyone is expecting Tennessee, but don’t ever count out Steve Spurrier.”