South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their commanding performance put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are out to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs be able to answer the call?
The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA.
The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past.
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina a chance to flip their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC on its head.
The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG).
Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home.
Here are six things the Bulldogs need to look out for when they enter the Cockpit.
Double QB threat.
Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. By the time he stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter, he had racked up 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. Within minutes of entering the game for Garcia just prior to halftime, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground.
All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve.
A wealth of wide receivers.
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.
Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter. 
Battering-ram at running back.
Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year and he looked up to the task. He is a four-star recruit and probably Steve Spurrier's biggest recruit in his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore took control on the ground racking up 54 yards and two touchdowns.
First-rate secondary.
South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. 
Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown.
Rooster Revenge.
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette.
The Spurrier Factor.
Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team.
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