As the University of South Carolina prepares to kick off its 2010 football season next Thursday against Southern Mississippi, Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks find themselves favored by two touchdowns over the Golden Eagles.
That may sound like a hefty spread (especially considering the way USC finished its 2009 campaign) … but it’s not surprising. The Gamecocks are playing at home and returning most of their starters from last year’s 7-6 squad. Also, despite his epic struggles in late October and November, Spurrier has won all five of his season openers since coming to Columbia.
Of course the Gamecocks haven’t played a quality opponent in any of those opening games, drawing Central Florida, Mississippi State, Louisiana Lafayette and North Carolina State (twice). Obviously that’s a trend that unranked and unheralded Southern Miss isn’t going to break.
Anyway, with junior quarterback Stephen Garcia coming off of his first full season as a starter and sophomore wide receiver Alshon Jeffery expected to compete for national honors, the Gamecock offense should be in good shape this year – particularly if heralded freshman running back Marcus Lattimore is as good as advertised. The defense loses All-America Eric Norwood, but returns two preseason All-SEC first-teamers (Cliff Matthews and Stephon Gilmore).
Southern Miss, which is also returning a boatload of starters, was picked by the media to finish behind Central Florida in Conference USA’s Eastern Division. Third-year head coach Larry Fedora has led the team to back-to-back 7-6 records and consecutive New Orleans bowl appearances.
The Golden Eagles are led on defense by nose tackle Anthony Gray – one of the country’s best defensive linemen. In fact, Southern Miss returns all seven of its starting defensive linemen and linebackers, which will present a challenge for a USC team that has struggled mightily to run the football in recent years.
Anthony Gray anchors the Southern Miss defense. (Pic: NationalChamps.net)
Offensively, Southern Miss also boasts experienced players at key positions – including quarterback Martevious Young and wide receiver DeAndre Brown, a former freshman All-American who is attempting to bounce back from a gruesome 2008 leg injury.
To check out a recent preview of the Golden Eagles, click here. To read our recent preview of USC’s upcoming season, click here.
Next Thursday’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
By Correction August 24, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Game is a Thursday night kickoff…
By OhNoNotAgain August 24, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Umm, I might take your gripping analysis of our chances a little more seriously if you got the opening date right.
We play Thursday, Sept. 2. College football hasn’t been a Saturday-only prospect for a long time.
I agree the wins haven’t come. But first with Lou Holtz and now with Steve Spurrier, we are getting exposure of unprecedented levels and it helps us if you take the long-term view.
By Manning August 24, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Next Thursday’s game, Knucklehead .
By fitsnews August 24, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Ahhhh danke, dear FITS readers. This reminds us of that time we previewed USC’s game against Florida (not) International.
:)
By EasleyJack August 24, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I’ll take S Miss and the 2 TD’s… Wesley Saunders is gone and Garcia is, well… Garcia. The Ole Ball Coach is certainly showing a ton of confidence in him lately.
By Alphonse August 24, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Looking forward to your preview of Clemson’s much anticipated game against Presbyterian.
By Skidmarks August 25, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Here’s hoping the game won’t follow the usual big-game Garcia script:
- Two first quarter turnovers.
- Two quick scores against.
- Game over. USC can’t catch up.
By GoodRiddens August 25, 2010 at 11:01 pm
The Gamecocks were favored to walk through their bowl game too… how’d that turn out? USC’s offensive line is facing one of the best defensive lines in the SEC.