When South Carolina and East Carolina line up across from each other in Charlotte this weekend all eyes are going to be on the offense, but what about their defensive expectations? The Gamecocks defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson is known around the SEC—and around the nation—for building nationally recognized defenses. In 2010, Johnson  was third in the SEC and 12th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 112.4 yards on the ground and holding opponents to under 100 rushing yards nine times.Johnson has coached in four SEC Championship games and has been a part of a national title. It is safe to say that Ellis Johnson is no stranger to pressure and knows how to get the job done. The Gamecocks were first in the SEC with 41 sacks, for a loss of 259 yards. One amazing fact is that those 41 sacks were spread out among 12 different players. The most notable among those 12 would have to be Melvin Ingram and Devin Taylor. Ingram had nine sacks for a loss of 65 yards. The defensive lineman ranked third in the SEC for sacks and came in second on the team with 11 tackles for a loss. The senior from Hamlet, NC is possibly the best all-around athlete on this defense and could play any position asked of him.Ingram is set to line up at defensive end opposite another impact player, Devin Taylor. Taylor was named first team All-SEC by the Associated Press, Rivals.com and Phill Steele. He led the defensive linemen with 46 tackles—13 for a loss—and 7.5 sacks. Taylor is expected to step up his game this season and build on his breakout year from 2010. Rushing defense is just one aspect of a defensive game. The Gamecocks struggled at times last year in the secondary. They are going to have to improve this season to have any hopes at making a run at the SEC Championship.The problem is not the talent of the starters, but the lack of depth in the secondary. The Gamecocks have Stephon Gilmore, D.J. Swearinger, Jimmy Legree and Akeem Auguste penciled in as their starters for the 2011 season. Stephon Gilmore was the interception leader with three for 97 yards. Gilmore is an All-SEC performer that has the big play ability and work ethic required of a leader in the secondary. He led the team with 79 tackles, with six for a loss.Akeem Auguste returned to practice on Friday after dealing with an injury and plans to practice all this week to prepare for East Carolina. Auguste has been moved back to cornerback, after spending last season at free safety. He racked up 58 tackles, with four for a loss. Auguste is thought by most to have excellent instincts and is a powerful hitter. It is going to be crucial for this secondary to step up and play well this season for the Gamecocks to have a breakout year. The East Carolina Pirates defense is led by Coach Brian Mitchell. Mitchell took on the task of rebuilding the Pirates defense in 2010, after losing nine starters. His task became even harder when he lost three players during the season due to injuries. The East Carolina Defense racked 1035 tackles, 15 sacks, 11 interceptions and recovered 10 fumbles. Defensive end Matt Milner took the lead with three sacks in 2010 for the Pirates. Milner also racked up 47 tackles, with seven for a loss. He brings a mix of speed and passion for the game that makes him a man that Coach Mitchell needs to be a leader on this East Carolina Defensive line.  Milner is joined by fellow defensive lineman Derrell Johnson, who rose to the starting position as a true freshman in 2010. Johnson recorded 40 tackles—4.5 for a loss—and one sack. Much like the Gamecocks, the Pirates secondary was a sore spot for the 2010 season. But some would not put all the blame on the secondary for their performance. It was widely recognized that they were getting no help from their front seven. It is still not known if they are going to be any better this year, but they are getting one more year out of defensive back Bradley Jacobs. He will be joined by fellow defensive back Emanuel Davis. Bradley Jacobs led the secondary with 80 tackles and four interceptions, totaling 54 yards. Jacobs is full of intensity and has great ball awareness. Emanuel Davis joins Jacobs and is considered by many to be one of the best corner backs in the nation. Davis had 54 sacks, two interceptions and nine breakups. Overall, the talent is there in the secondary. The true test is going to be on the defensive line to get the pass rush. Only time will tell if this secondary unit is going to receive any help. This defensive battle is going to come down to the styles of the offenses they are going to face. The East Carolina defense, although putting up some decent numbers last year, were still far from SEC caliber.South Carolina is going to come at them with a balanced offense. They are going spread the field with their talented receiver core and then run Marcus Lattimore up the middle. It is going to be crucial for the front seven of the Pirates defense to play well. If they can’t hold the line and apply some pressure it is a lost cause for the Pirates on Saturday. South Carolina is poised to dominate the East Carolina offensive line. This will put some pressure on quarterback Dominique Davis. Davis likes to do a three step drop and get rid of the ball quickly, so it is still going to be up to the secondary to contain and control the wide receivers.This would be an excellent chance for the Gamecock secondary to prove that there is no weak link in this defense. If Melvin Ingram, Stephon Gilmore and Devin Taylor can get to Davis enough to make him rush his throws, I predict the Gamecocks secondary could have a big day.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com