Five Things Spurrier Hoped To Find Under The Christmas Tree
posted by Scott Hood, Thursday, December 25, 2008
1. A Reliable Quarterback: Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia have each had their good and bad moments this season. Smelley was brilliant in the win over Ole Miss, but awful the next week against Kentucky. And we won’t even talk about Clemson. Garcia rescued the Gamecocks in the come-from-behind win in Lexington and then played well in the first half the following Saturday against LSU. But the second half was a different story and he fell into disfavor with Spurrier. By the time the Arkansas game rolled around, Spurrier determined alternating quarterbacks every play was the answer. Without question, Spurrier would like one reliable quarterback to emerge as the top gun. Garcia gets his chance in the Outback Bowl.
2. An Eight Win Season: USC has won eight games just nine times in school history, three times since 2000. Still, they are rare enough to enjoy when they do occur. Psychologically, and on the recruiting trail, there is a huge difference between 8-5 and 7-6 in terms of USC’s final 2008 record. So far, Spurrier has proven he can coax USC to the seven-win level, now he needs to take the next step up the ladder and get to the eight win mark consistently. As a result, the Outback Bowl is huge for Spurrier and the Gamecock program. A bowl win followed by a top 10 signing class would give USC plenty of momentum heading into the start of spring practice in March.
3. A Top 10 Recruiting Class: It still comes down to players. Coaches can influence the outcome of games with their motivational tactics and play-calling, but typically the teams with the best players are the ones holding the trophy at the end of the day. Spurrier has often talked about the 2007 class serving as the foundation of USC’s renaissance. However, it requires more than one great signing class to win consistently in the SEC. Do you really think USC has a chance to overtake Florida, Georgia and Tennessee with just one signing class? It won’t happen. Right now, USC appears headed towards a great 2009 class. They must hang onto the players they’ve got and sign a few more. While the Gamecocks have some good players, they need more to compete with the so-called “Big Boys” of the SEC. More players like highly regarded RB Jarvis Giles are exactly what USC needs.
4. A More Focused, Mentally Tougher Team: I still believe that one of the principal reasons USC lost the Clemson game by a wide margin was a lack of focus and mental toughness. Spurrier acknowledged his past criticism may have adversely impacted the players. Well, if that’s the case, USC needs players who possess the necessary mental toughness it takes to compete on a week-by-week basis in the SEC. When you’re a Div. I college football player, criticism is part of the game. Your every move on the gridiron is critiqued and debated by coaches, fans and the media. After being outscored 87-20 in the last two games, how will the Gamecocks respond in the Outback Bowl? Their performance will speak volumes.
5. A Permanent Offensive Line Coach: Cedric Williams could be the right guy for the job, maybe he isn’t. But what I like about Williams’ style is he’s brought a tougher, more aggressive approach to the way the Gamecock offensive line goes about its business. When we spoke with him during the bowl practices, Williams was reluctant to describe the Outback Bowl as an audition, but that’s probably what it is. Nhe inspires to become a college coach, so this is his opportunity. Ultimately, Spurrier may decide to bring in a new face to provide a fresh perspective. There are plenty of good O-Line coaches out there. I know the name Robbie Caldwell has been tossed around, but the question is whether he’s ready to leave Vanderbilt. I have no doubt the one Spurrier eventually hires will be a solid football coach.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
When Steve Spurrier awoke Christmas morning, he probably discovered bountiful gifts under the tree waiting to be unwrapped. Here are five gifts Spurrier hoped to find:
1. A Reliable Quarterback: Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia have each had their good and bad moments this season. Smelley was brilliant in the win over Ole Miss, but awful the next week against Kentucky. And we won’t even talk about Clemson. Garcia rescued the Gamecocks in the come-from-behind win in Lexington and then played well in the first half the following Saturday against LSU. But the second half was a different story and he fell into disfavor with Spurrier. By the time the Arkansas game rolled around, Spurrier determined alternating quarterbacks every play was the answer. Without question, Spurrier would like one reliable quarterback to emerge as the top gun. Garcia gets his chance in the Outback Bowl.
2. An Eight Win Season: USC has won eight games just nine times in school history, three times since 2000. Still, they are rare enough to enjoy when they do occur. Psychologically, and on the recruiting trail, there is a huge difference between 8-5 and 7-6 in terms of USC’s final 2008 record. So far, Spurrier has proven he can coax USC to the seven-win level, now he needs to take the next step up the ladder and get to the eight win mark consistently. As a result, the Outback Bowl is huge for Spurrier and the Gamecock program. A bowl win followed by a top 10 signing class would give USC plenty of momentum heading into the start of spring practice in March.
3. A Top 10 Recruiting Class: It still comes down to players. Coaches can influence the outcome of games with their motivational tactics and play-calling, but typically the teams with the best players are the ones holding the trophy at the end of the day. Spurrier has often talked about the 2007 class serving as the foundation of USC’s renaissance. However, it requires more than one great signing class to win consistently in the SEC. Do you really think USC has a chance to overtake Florida, Georgia and Tennessee with just one signing class? It won’t happen. Right now, USC appears headed towards a great 2009 class. They must hang onto the players they’ve got and sign a few more. While the Gamecocks have some good players, they need more to compete with the so-called “Big Boys” of the SEC. More players like highly regarded RB Jarvis Giles are exactly what USC needs.
4. A More Focused, Mentally Tougher Team: I still believe that one of the principal reasons USC lost the Clemson game by a wide margin was a lack of focus and mental toughness. Spurrier acknowledged his past criticism may have adversely impacted the players. Well, if that’s the case, USC needs players who possess the necessary mental toughness it takes to compete on a week-by-week basis in the SEC. When you’re a Div. I college football player, criticism is part of the game. Your every move on the gridiron is critiqued and debated by coaches, fans and the media. After being outscored 87-20 in the last two games, how will the Gamecocks respond in the Outback Bowl? Their performance will speak volumes.
5. A Permanent Offensive Line Coach: Cedric Williams could be the right guy for the job, maybe he isn’t. But what I like about Williams’ style is he’s brought a tougher, more aggressive approach to the way the Gamecock offensive line goes about its business. When we spoke with him during the bowl practices, Williams was reluctant to describe the Outback Bowl as an audition, but that’s probably what it is. Nhe inspires to become a college coach, so this is his opportunity. Ultimately, Spurrier may decide to bring in a new face to provide a fresh perspective. There are plenty of good O-Line coaches out there. I know the name Robbie Caldwell has been tossed around, but the question is whether he’s ready to leave Vanderbilt. I have no doubt the one Spurrier eventually hires will be a solid football coach.
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 @.