Five Goals For USC In 2007
posted by Scott Hood, Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I’ll take Spurrier’s cue and talk about the five main goals for the 2007 South Carolina football team. Actually, the long title for this blog should be “Five Goals For USC In 2007 To Move the Program Forward.”
Because that’s what it’s all about in the hyper-competitive SEC. Unless you’re making progress, you’re falling behind.
If USC accomplishes these five objectives, I will consider it to be a successful season.
1. Win At Least Three More Games Than They Lose: Why three? USC’s all-time record is 515-517-44. I believe it’s imperative for the school to climb over the .500 mark for purposes of recruiting and perception. Gee, you think USC’s rivals use the school’s all-time record against it in recruiting? If you don’t, then you’re naïve.
Well, don’t be naive.
An eight or nine win season would also continue the momentum steadily built up in this decade. Since 2000, USC is 48-36, and already has seven more wins than it had for the entire decade of the 1990’s. With three seasons remaining in this decade, the Gamecocks are 15 wins shy of the school record (63) for victories in a decade (1980-89).
Considering the direction of the USC program appears to be upward, it’s hardly far-fetched to say the Gamecocks will set a new standard for victories in a decade.
If USC manages to win nine games in 2007, Spurrier would pass Brad Scott (23-32-1) and move into a tie with Sparky Woods for ninth place on the all-time USC coaching list for most wins with 24.
2. Play In a New Year's Day Bowl Game: I’m already on record as saying USC will win nine games and face an undetermined Big 10 opponent in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 1, 2008.
But I think playing in a New Year's Day Bowl is necessary to establish in the minds of skeptics like ESPN’s Lee Corso that Spurrier has the program headed in the right direction. Only nine wins will accomplish that, considering the Gamecocks won eight games last season.
Nine wins in the regular season will likely get USC into the Outback Bowl or, possibly, the Capital One Bowl game.
3. Beat Clemson: Establishing a stronghold in the Palmetto State is the prize up for grabs when USC and the Tigers meet on Nov. 24. Right now, the game could go either way.
If you’re a hardcore USC fan, you already know it’s been 37 years (1969-70) since the Gamecocks won consecutive games against Clemson. Another win for USC this season on the heels of the ultra-thrilling 31-28 triumph in Death Valley last November would begin to tilt the balance of power inside the state towards the Gamecocks for the first time in a long time.
While Spurrier doesn’t necessarily agree with those USC fans who claim beating Clemson in Job #1 of the Gamecock head coach, he clearly understands it’s still a big game. He knows beating your arch-rival is important from a psychologically standpoint. But it’s not an all-consuming thing with Spurrier.
4. Finish At Least .500 In The SEC: USC has finished at the break-even mark in the SEC just five times since joining the league in 1992. They’ve won five conference games three times, all in this decade (2000, 2001, 2005).
In my opinion, finishing below .500 in the conference this year would be disastrous for the Gamecocks. First, it would mean USC would have no better than a 7-5 mark heading into bowl season, likely resulting in a bowl game in Memphis or Nashville. That would be disappointing. While the Peach Bowl would be OK, a New Years Day Bowl would be better for the program.
Again, it comes down to the perception of progress. How would a 3-5 conference mark be received by the national media folks like ESPN? Not well, in my book. It would be a step back, in my book.
5. Defense Finishes In Top 6 In Three Major SEC Rankings: With Steve Spurrier calling the plays, I’m fully confident the Gamecocks will score enough points to meet the first four goals.
So, it all comes down to the defense. USC finished ninth in the SEC in total defense and rushing defense, as well as eighth in passing defense, in 2006. All three of those rankings must improve this year.
Here’s the key: Steve Spurrier isn’t just expecting improvement, he’s demanding it.
USC gave up an average of 146.8 yards rushing per game. Sixth-place Auburn surrendered 124.2 yards per game. Accordingly, the Gamecocks must knock off at least 22 yards rushing by opponents this season. With the return of Marque Hall and the addition of five talented defensive linemen, it’s within reach.
Overall, USC allowed opponents to total an average of 336.8 yards per game. That figure must decrease by a minimum of 40 yards per game to a figure below 300 yards per game.
If USC is able to improve the rush defense and the overall team defense as indicated, eight or nine wins are probable.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Steve Spurrier likes to set certain goals for his team before every season. Most of them relate to number of wins, final position in the standings, bowl game and other things.
I’ll take Spurrier’s cue and talk about the five main goals for the 2007 South Carolina football team. Actually, the long title for this blog should be “Five Goals For USC In 2007 To Move the Program Forward.”
Because that’s what it’s all about in the hyper-competitive SEC. Unless you’re making progress, you’re falling behind.
If USC accomplishes these five objectives, I will consider it to be a successful season.
1. Win At Least Three More Games Than They Lose: Why three? USC’s all-time record is 515-517-44. I believe it’s imperative for the school to climb over the .500 mark for purposes of recruiting and perception. Gee, you think USC’s rivals use the school’s all-time record against it in recruiting? If you don’t, then you’re naïve.
Well, don’t be naive.
An eight or nine win season would also continue the momentum steadily built up in this decade. Since 2000, USC is 48-36, and already has seven more wins than it had for the entire decade of the 1990’s. With three seasons remaining in this decade, the Gamecocks are 15 wins shy of the school record (63) for victories in a decade (1980-89).
Considering the direction of the USC program appears to be upward, it’s hardly far-fetched to say the Gamecocks will set a new standard for victories in a decade.
If USC manages to win nine games in 2007, Spurrier would pass Brad Scott (23-32-1) and move into a tie with Sparky Woods for ninth place on the all-time USC coaching list for most wins with 24.
2. Play In a New Year's Day Bowl Game: I’m already on record as saying USC will win nine games and face an undetermined Big 10 opponent in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 1, 2008.
But I think playing in a New Year's Day Bowl is necessary to establish in the minds of skeptics like ESPN’s Lee Corso that Spurrier has the program headed in the right direction. Only nine wins will accomplish that, considering the Gamecocks won eight games last season.
Nine wins in the regular season will likely get USC into the Outback Bowl or, possibly, the Capital One Bowl game.
3. Beat Clemson: Establishing a stronghold in the Palmetto State is the prize up for grabs when USC and the Tigers meet on Nov. 24. Right now, the game could go either way.
If you’re a hardcore USC fan, you already know it’s been 37 years (1969-70) since the Gamecocks won consecutive games against Clemson. Another win for USC this season on the heels of the ultra-thrilling 31-28 triumph in Death Valley last November would begin to tilt the balance of power inside the state towards the Gamecocks for the first time in a long time.
While Spurrier doesn’t necessarily agree with those USC fans who claim beating Clemson in Job #1 of the Gamecock head coach, he clearly understands it’s still a big game. He knows beating your arch-rival is important from a psychologically standpoint. But it’s not an all-consuming thing with Spurrier.
4. Finish At Least .500 In The SEC: USC has finished at the break-even mark in the SEC just five times since joining the league in 1992. They’ve won five conference games three times, all in this decade (2000, 2001, 2005).
In my opinion, finishing below .500 in the conference this year would be disastrous for the Gamecocks. First, it would mean USC would have no better than a 7-5 mark heading into bowl season, likely resulting in a bowl game in Memphis or Nashville. That would be disappointing. While the Peach Bowl would be OK, a New Years Day Bowl would be better for the program.
Again, it comes down to the perception of progress. How would a 3-5 conference mark be received by the national media folks like ESPN? Not well, in my book. It would be a step back, in my book.
5. Defense Finishes In Top 6 In Three Major SEC Rankings: With Steve Spurrier calling the plays, I’m fully confident the Gamecocks will score enough points to meet the first four goals.
So, it all comes down to the defense. USC finished ninth in the SEC in total defense and rushing defense, as well as eighth in passing defense, in 2006. All three of those rankings must improve this year.
Here’s the key: Steve Spurrier isn’t just expecting improvement, he’s demanding it.
USC gave up an average of 146.8 yards rushing per game. Sixth-place Auburn surrendered 124.2 yards per game. Accordingly, the Gamecocks must knock off at least 22 yards rushing by opponents this season. With the return of Marque Hall and the addition of five talented defensive linemen, it’s within reach.
Overall, USC allowed opponents to total an average of 336.8 yards per game. That figure must decrease by a minimum of 40 yards per game to a figure below 300 yards per game.
If USC is able to improve the rush defense and the overall team defense as indicated, eight or nine wins are probable.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Previous Blog Entries
Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.