With the Gamecocks 41-13 win over Southern Mississippi in the first game of the season, many Gamecock fans are thinking bigger and better things for 2010.  While those things may be possible, they will not be possible without these four key adjustments.The defensive strategy of the Gamecocks paid off against Southern Miss, but it likely won't against the teams from the SEC.  At least not as it was executed against Southern Miss.  Southern Miss didn't put up many points, but they put up more yards than some Gamecock fans were comfortable with.The tempo of the game needs to be dictated by South Carolina, and there are things they can do to make that happen.  So without further ado, these are the four adjustments South Carolina must make to become a contender in the SEC.Begin Slideshow

With the Gamecocks 41-13 win over Southern Mississippi in the first game of the season, many Gamecock fans are thinking bigger and better things for 2010.  While those things may be possible, they will not be possible without these four key adjustments.The defensive strategy of the Gamecocks paid off against Southern Miss, but it likely won't against the teams from the SEC.  At least not as it was executed against Southern Miss.  Southern Miss didn't put up many points, but they put up more yards than some Gamecock fans were comfortable with.The tempo of the game needs to be dictated by South Carolina, and there are things they can do to make that happen.  So without further ado, these are the four adjustments South Carolina must make to become a contender in the SEC.Begin Slideshow

Marcus Lattimore did not look like a freshman playing his first collegiate game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles last night. His efforts aided his team to a 41-13 victory to start 2010 off on the right foot.
For Lattimore, he proved why there was so much hype surrounding him coming out of high school. He certainly did not disappoint in his debut. He helped to carry the load and got positive yards when it was needed. Don’t judge his effort by looking solely at his total of 54 rushing yards as he had two key rushing touchdowns early in the game. He did his damage on 14 rushing attempts - double the number of the player with the second most carries - and two pass receptions. Lattimore had 16 touches in his first college game and showcased the power, speed and pass-catching ability that made him a superstar at Byrnes High School.
For Gamecock fans, it was pleasant to see not only the success Marcus had in his debut but a commitment from Spurrier on running the ball. It was no coincidence that the Gamecocks put up their highest score and most rushing yards (196) for a single game in four years. The running game has been the missing ingredient for USC for a number of years. Spurrier’s offensive philosophy depends on a good ground attack.
Having Lattimore adds a wrinkle to the Spurrier game plan. Not only is he speedy, elusive and strong, but he has excellent vision, anticipates the play developing, and brings a leadership style the USC offense needs.
To go along with that hard-nosed downfield running style, is a great set of eyes that allows him to see the hole or see the play develop. With the vision, is a knack for knowing how to make a guy miss. The cuts he made to find the end zone were by no means an accident. He can “feel a play” very well which helps get those extra yards or in this case 6 points.
Leadership through action rather than words is a breath of fresh air in Carolina.  Lattimore is somewhat soft spoken but gets it done on the field.  He is quick to deflect praise on himself to his teammates.  In today’s world of sports, this team first attitude is nice to see.
All these traits and his abilities that Lattimore possesses are great for Spurrier’s program as it aims for success on the gridiron.
For USC to have the accomplishments that many believe they are capable of in 2010, it begins with a flourishing run game.  Lattimore will have plenty of opportunities to build upon the first game triumphs.  Next up is his SEC debut, Georgia better be ready as he will only improve with each carry given. 
Could USC have found the ingredient it needs to make a run at uncharted SEC territory?
 
For more "garnet tainted" opinions and insight, please check out www.leftoverhotdog.com as your Gamecocks blog of choice.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their 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 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 hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC. 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.Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, 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. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards. 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. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the game vs. UL-L). 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 - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  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. Think the Dawgs can pull out a win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance may have put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are playing to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs 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 hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC. 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 should 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.Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, 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. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards. 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. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the UL-L game). 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 - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  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. Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance may have put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are playing to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs answer the call?
The Gamecocks did most things well vs. the Golden Eagles. 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 hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC.
The Gamecocks took advantage of short-yardage, 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 should 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.
Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, 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. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards.
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. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the UL-L game).
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 - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  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.
Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance may have put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are playing to win the SEC East.
Will the Dawgs answer the call? Georgia's season opener vs. Louisiana-Lafayette will help answer some big question marks like the readiness of freshman QB Aaron Murray and the new 3-4 defense (check back for updates following the game). It will be South Carolina's first look at an overhauled Georgia team.
For their part, South Carolina's performance against Southern Miss was an indicator of the improvements they've made since last year.
The Gamecocks did most things well vs. the Golden Eagles. 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 hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC.
The Gamecocks took advantage of short-yardage, 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 should 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.
Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, 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. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards.
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 - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  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.
Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance may have put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are playing to win the SEC East.
Will the Dawgs answer the call? Georgia's season opener vs. Louisiana-Lafayette will help answer some big question marks like the readiness of freshman QB Aaron Murray and the new 3-4 defense (check back for updates following the game). It will be South Carolina's first look at an overhauled Georgia team.
For their part, South Carolina's performance against Southern Miss was an indicator of the improvements they've made since last year.
The Gamecocks did most things well vs. the Golden Eagles. 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 polished 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 hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC.
The Gamecocks took advantage of short-yardage, 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 should 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.
Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, 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. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards.
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 - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  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.
Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

This article was updated on September 4 follwoing Georgia’s season opener.
South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Georgia answered two days later by destroying Louisiana-Lafayette 55-7. The SEC East rivals face each other on September 11 in their first true test of the season.
Both teams played with intensity versus mild but respectable opponents from smaller conferences. The matchups showcased improvements that Georgia and South Carolina have made over the last year.
South Carolina Summary
South Carolina displayed a polished-up offense that appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that dogged them in seasons past.
Stephen Garcia picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Steve Spurrier. He delivered a confident performance and good ball control. Garcia was backed by talented freshman Connor Show who showed promise on his first outing.
Four-star recruit Marcus Lattimore gave a solid performance at running back. He should be able to help South Carolina improve on its record as worst rushing team in the SEC in 2009.
The Gamecocks took advantage of short-yardage, 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 Summary
Georgia answered some big question marks in their season opener. They put to rest uncertainty about freshman QB Aaron Murray and Todd Grantham’s new 3-4 defense.
Murray showed guts, quick thinking, athletic ability and accuracy. He scrambled well and made plays happen. The Dawgs’ offense was well-balanced with 193 yards passing and 184 yards rushing.
Georgia’s defense was fast and furious and exhibited signs of the Junkyard Dawgs of old. They held the Cajuns’ offense to just 134 yards (which included one 60-yard pass) and kept constant pressure on quarterback Chris Masson. The secondary dominated the backfield.
Special teams gave Georgia an even greater edge with a 46.7 yard punt average from Drew Butler and a 52 yard field goal from Blair Walsh.
Showdown in the Cockpit
Georgia enters unfriendly terrain when they meet up with the Gamecocks in Columbia. Both teams want to get a leg-up in the SEC East race and have extra motivation to win.
The Gamecocks are looking to avenge a bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year that came late in the game after a blocked extra point. The Bulldogs are itching to redeem themselves after finishing 4-4 in the SEC in 2009.
Here are six things to look for when the Dawgs and Gamecocks meet on September 11.
South Carolina’s Quarterback Duo.
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. In all, he completed 16 for 23 passes for 193 yards plus 38 yards rushing.
True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10-yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground.
Garcia and Shaw look to be a double threat at quarterback
Georgia’s Gusty Freshmen Quarterbacks.
Freshman Aaron Murray commanded Georgia’s offense. He knew the playbook, managed the game and made plays when the heat was on. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards. He was intercepted once as a result of a dropped pass by Lance Kelly – not an inaccurate throw.
Murray left the game just shy of the fourth quarter to give backup quarterback, and true freshman, Hutson Mason, time on the field. Mason stepped in and fired a 26-yard touchdown pass to Logan Gray. He is the eighth player in FBS history to record a touchdown pass on his first throw as a collegiate player. Mason finished 2 for 5 and 33 yards.
Both quarterbacks may be young and inexperienced but showed poise and promise.
South Carolina’s Playmakers
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey caught seven passes for 106 yards against Southern Miss 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 Shaw in the third quarter. 
Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is one of  Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards.
Georgia’s Playmakers.
Georgia played Louisiana-Lafayette without starters A.J. Green (WR), Washun Ealey (RB) or Tavarres King (SE) and were still able to rack up 55 points.
The Bulldogs showed strength across the board. Carlton Thomas rushed for 61 yards and Caleb King picked up 47 yards and a touchdown. Shaun Chapas (FB) made critical blocks and fellow fullback Fred Munzenmaier caught a touchdown pass.
Wide receiver Kris Durham, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, stepped in with 83 yards and one touchdown.  
Blair Walsh was two for two on field goals including a 52-yard-long torpedo.
South Carolina Defense
South Carolina held Southern Miss to 67 net rushing yards and no touchdowns inside the red zone.
The secondary was quick to the ball and good on pass defense. Akeem Auguste (FS), Stephon Gilmore (CB) and DeVonte Holloman (SS) combined to shut down Southern Mississippi’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 led the team with eight tackles (seven solos, one assist). Holloman nabbed an interception in the first quarter that led to a South Carolina touchdown.
Georgia Defense
Georgia successfully unveiled its much anticipated 3-4 defense under new DC Todd Grantham. They racked up nine tackles for negative 26 yards. Akeem Dent, Justin Houston and Akeem Hebron had one sack apiece for a combined negative 18 yards. Dent also stopped the Cajuns’ on a fourth down, one-yard play.
Georgia’s secondary shut down any hope the Cajuns had for their passing game. They combined for three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns.
Sophomore cornerback Vance Cuff forced a fumble and broke up a key third down pass. Baccari Rambo (FS) had six stops. Jakar Hamilton (FS), a junior college transfer, intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 17yards for a touchdown.  
Intangibles
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home. They suffered their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. They enter the stadium on September 11 with two extra days of rest and preparation versus Georgia.
On the flip side, Georgia is 4-1 vs. Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks and has already won two in Columbia. Richt is also 30-4 on the road (not counting “neutral” sites).
Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.
 
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This article was updated on September 4 following Georgia’s season opener.
South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Two days later, Georgia destroyed Louisiana-Lafayette 55-7. The SEC East rivals face each other on September 11 in their first true test.
Both teams played with intensity versus nonthreatening opponents from smaller conferences. The matchups showcased improvements that Georgia and South Carolina have made over the last year.
South Carolina Summary
South Carolina polished up their offense and appeared to have corrected weaknesses that dogged them in seasons past.
Quarterback Stephen Garcia picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Steve Spurrier. He was confident and displayed good ball control. Garcia was backed by freshman Connor Show who showed promise on his first outing.
Four-star recruit Marcus Lattimore gave a solid performance at running back. He should be able to help South Carolina improve on its 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC.
The Gamecocks took advantage of short-yardage, 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). Spencer Lanning was two for two on field goals including a 42 yarder.
Georgia Summary
Georgia answered some big questions in their season opener. They put to rest uncertainty about freshman QB Aaron Murray and Todd Grantham’s new 3-4 defense.
Murray showed guts, quick thinking, athletic ability and accuracy. He scrambled well and made plays happen. The Dawgs’ offense was well-balanced with 193 yards passing and 184 yards rushing. They were eight for 17 on third down conversions.
Georgia’s defense was fast and furious and exhibited signs of the Junkyard Dawgs of old. They held the Cajuns’ offense to just 134 yards (which included one 60-yard pass) and kept constant pressure on quarterback Chris Masson. The secondary dominated the backfield.
Special teams gave Georgia an even greater edge with a 46.7 yard punt average from Drew Butler and a 52-yard field goal from Blair Walsh.
Showdown in the Cockpit
Georgia enters unfriendly terrain when they meet up with the Gamecocks in Columbia. Both teams want to get a leg-up in the SEC East race and have extra motivation to win.
The Gamecocks are looking to avenge a bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year that came late in the game after a blocked extra point. The Bulldogs are itching to redeem themselves after finishing 4-4 in the SEC in 2009.
Here is how the Dawgs and Gamecocks compare following both teams' first games.
South Carolina’s Quarterback Duo
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. In all, he completed 16 of 23 passes for 193 yards plus 38 yards rushing.
At the end of the second quarter, true freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10-yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 yards on the ground.
Garcia and Shaw look to be a double threat at quarterback
Georgia’s Freshmen Quarterback Duo
Freshman Aaron Murray commanded Georgia’s offense. He knew the playbook, managed the game and made plays when the heat was on. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards. He was intercepted once as a result of a dropped pass by Lance Kelly – not an inaccurate throw.
Murray left the game just shy of the fourth quarter to give backup quarterback - and true freshman - Hutson Mason time on the field. Mason stepped in and fired a 26-yard touchdown pass to Logan Gray. He is the eighth player in FBS history to record a touchdown pass on his first throw as a collegiate player. Mason finished 2 for 5 and 33 yards.
Both quarterbacks may be young and inexperienced but showed poise and promise.
South Carolina’s Playmakers
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey caught seven passes for 106 yards against Southern Miss 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 Shaw in the third quarter. 
Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is one of Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards.
Georgia’s Playmakers
Georgia played Louisiana-Lafayette without starters A.J. Green (WR), Washun Ealey (RB) or Tavarres King (SE) and were still able to rack up 55 points.
The Bulldogs showed strength across the board. Carlton Thomas rushed for 61 yards and Caleb King picked up 47 yards and a touchdown. Shaun Chapas (FB) made critical blocks and fellow fullback Fred Munzenmaier caught a touchdown pass.
Wide receiver Kris Durham, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, stepped in with 83 yards and one touchdown.  
Blair Walsh was two for two on field goals including a 52-yard-long torpedo.
South Carolina Defense
South Carolina held Southern Miss to 67 net rushing yards and no touchdowns inside the red zone.
The secondary was quick to the ball and good on pass defense. Akeem Auguste (FS), Stephon Gilmore (CB) and DeVonte Holloman (SS) combined to shut down Southern Mississippi’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 led the team with eight tackles (seven solos, one assist). Holloman nabbed an interception in the first quarter that led to a South Carolina touchdown.
Georgia Defense
Georgia successfully unveiled its much anticipated 3-4 defense under new DC Todd Grantham. They racked up nine tackles for negative 26 yards. Akeem Dent, Justin Houston and Akeem Hebron had one sack apiece for a combined negative 18 yards. Dent also stopped the Cajuns’ on a fourth down, one-yard play.
Georgia’s secondary shut down any hope the Cajuns had for their passing game. They combined for three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns.
Sophomore cornerback Vance Cuff forced a fumble and broke up a key third down pass. Baccari Rambo (FS) had six stops. Jakar Hamilton (FS), a junior college transfer, intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 17yards for a touchdown.  
Miscellaneous
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home. They suffered their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. They enter the stadium on September 11 with two extra days of rest and preparation versus Georgia.
On the flip side, Georgia is 4-1 vs. Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks and has already won two in Columbia. Richt is also 30-4 on the road (not counting “neutral” sites).
Who has the edge - Georgia or South Carolina? Sound off in the comments below.
 
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com