South Carolina Handicapping Positives Prior to Start of 2014 Season: 4 O-Linemen returned to start from '13; 2nd SEC RB Davis, with 1183 yards rushing in '13, returned; #1 receiver departed, but, every other significant receiver returned from '13; all LBs returned as well as starters at the non-cornerback defensive back positions; Coach Steve Spurrier!
South Carolina Handicapping Negatives Prior to Start of 2014 Season: Loss of QB Connor Shaw. He threw for 63.4% in 2013 and had an unreal 24-1 TD to Int. ratio. Wow; the loss of 3 quality D-Linemen ( #1 DC, a 3rd team AA DT, and a starting DE!); loss of both starting CBs from 2013.
EdgySam Summarizes South Carolina's 2014 Season: According to my College Edge ratings, the Gamecocks defense was horrible this year. I was surprised. Maybe I shouldn't have been. The gigantic losses in the D-Line and at the cornerback positions were right there for me to see. I ignored them, or lessened their significance probably because of my respect for the coaching ability of Spurrier. Man, was I wrong. As surprising, was the relative inefficiency of Spurrier's offense.Okay, Connor Shaw should have been hard to replace, but, QB Thompson was a senior, knew Spurrier's program and I thought he'd contribute more than he did. Also, I don't have RB Davis' final numbers, but, he underperformed dramatically. I took South Carolina in the first game of the year vs. A&M. I was surprised how they got thrashed. I shouldn't have been. For EdgySam, South Carolina was one of the big disappointments of the 2014 FBS Season!
EdgySam's Very Preliminary Outlook for South Carolina in 2015: Seven starters back on offense. The quarterback will be new, but, I'm looking forward to who will be starting. He will have to be better than this year's QB. Right?
The defense will have 8 starters back on defense, including 3 defensive linemen and both starting cornerbacks. The defense has to be better. Right?
Am I getting sucked in by my respect for the Old Ball Coach? Again?
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
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