Gamecocks Survive, But Questions Abound

To paraphrase the late great President Ronald Reagan, "There they go again."

As has become painful habit, the USC Gamecocks football team is at it again.
They're getting good at winning ugly. But if the latest "good" ugly win is any example, there's heartache ahead in the swirling, dangerous waters of the SEC.

Saturday's 21-15 win over North Carolina in Chapel Hill was just about as ugly as a win could be. After a dominating first half performance built a comfortable 21-3 lead, there was little reason to believe this game wouldn't be over for all intents and purposes about midway through the third quarter. Instead, Gamecocks fans were forced to chew their fingernails to the quick through the final play of the game, as UNC -- the OTHER Carolina -- held USC scoreless in the second half, and was one Hail Mary completion away from a stunning comeback win.

An incompletion to end the game, and one collective Gamecock Nation sigh of relief later, and the 7th-ranked Gamecocks were winners yet again. But do not be fooled. The Gods of College Football will not allow such gridiron blasphemy to continue much longer. The odds of winning ugly will diminish rapidly for USC after this Saturday, when they should beat Vanderbilt in Columbia to move their record to 7-1, and an SEC East-leading 4-1. Let me say right here and now, I have come to expect ugly wins for USC, and I don't doubt Vandy will play the Gamecocks tough. Of course, USC will win.

If my calculations are correct, Kentucky will lose to Florida, and Tennessee will fall at Alabama Saturday, leaving South Carolina with a full one game lead over every other team in the East. On paper, it looks like a great set-up. But if you're a Gamecock fan, that doesn't leave you resting easy at night. Just be glad you're not Steve Spurrier.

If that scenario plays out, it leaves USC to "only" have to win against Tennessee in Knoxville, Arkansas on the road the next week, then Florida at home to win the East. IF Florida loses to Kentucky Saturday, there will be no SEC Championship possibilities this season in Gainesville. IF Kentucky beats Florida, will they also beat Georgia on the road and Tennessee at the end of the season? If not, they're in trouble in the SEC East race. IF Tennessee loses to Alabama Saturday, and then to USC October 27th, their title hopes are down the drain, too, with three league losses. Georgia, already with two league losses should lose to Florida October 27th to take them out of contention. All of that to say this: The SEC East is South Carolina's to lose. The problem is, with an offense that disappears at times, that's exactly what will happen if that offense doesn't find high gear. And fast. No more time for excuses after this week.

Should they win ugly against Vandy Saturday, the now-6th-ranked Gamecocks will have the table set for an epic SEC division game at Tennessee. Win, and USC will prove something to all of the doubters, and they will give themselves just a small bit of breathing room at the top of the division. Lose, and visions of playing LSU again in the SEC Championship Game will begin to disintegrate.

For sure, after seven games, this is one of the greatest USC seasons EVER, on the Win-Loss ledger. But the lack of an offense that can deliver a knockout punch -- or sometimes look like it might not even answer the bell in the second half -- will continue to hound South Carolina until it either just wins out ugly, or wins big against a Tennessee, Arkansas,or Florida.

The pundits say South Carolina is a pretender, not a true contender. It stings proud Gamecock fans, but the truth is, nobody really knows yet. But as the season enters the stretch run, the answer SHALL be given.

The won-loss record says USC is a contender; the pure ugliness of the way they've arrived at that record suggests the pundits could be right. But regardless of whether you agree or disagree, winning against all, two, or even one of the Big Three of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Florida is highly unlikely unless this team can establish a real offensive threat that's better than has been shown to this point this season.

In other words, Coach Spurrier can no longer afford to play conservative football like his team displayed at the beginning of the second half against North Carolina. "Nursing" a lead -- a shocking thought of a Spurrier team in any case, although Spurrier himself admitted that's the curious approach he took with a big lead -- in the upcoming SEC schedule is surely a recipe for disaster.

There's no way that no offense will equal three wins, two, or even one win in those big three games. If what happened Saturday happens on any of those upcoming Saturdays, South Carolina's SEC dream will finally begin to disintegrate.

How will USC suddenly find a killer instinct on offense when it hasn't been seen yet this year? I frankly don't have a clue. But I do know this: If anybody CAN figure it out, it is one Stephen Orr Spurrier.

If they can find the missing "it," this team will be a bona fide player on the national scene THIS year. If not, it will simply be another building year under Spurrier, although one that should set the stage for lofty Top Ten expectations for 2008.

Thus far, the Gamecocks have been able to survive the close ones, en route to the top spot in the SEC East. But that option is about to end (after Vanderbilt this weekend), and USC has no choice but to come of age right before our eyes.

No offense, Coach Spurrier, but...that's exactly the problem. Here's hoping you can give us what your reputation is all about. We'll find out soon enough.