Here is a list of the five games the Gamecocks must win for two reasons. Not just to get to the SEC Championship game, but to prove to everyone out there that they are for real. Even if the Gamecocks don't get to Atlanta to play for the SEC Championship, winning these five games will impress just as many people.

The SEC never fails to be impressive, and a few of the teams on this list are considered top of the heap, not just in the SEC, but in the NCAA. Begin Slideshow

Here is a list of the five games the Gamecocks must win for two reasons. Not just to get to the SEC Championship game, but to prove to everyone out there that they are for real. Even if the Gamecocks don't get to Atlanta to play for the SEC Championship, winning these five games will impress just as many people.

The SEC never fails to be impressive, and a few of the teams on this list are considered top of the heap, not just in the SEC, but in the NCAA. Begin Slideshow

Take Stephen Garcia out of the equation. Of the "backups" on the South Carolina roster, which quarterback can you label the future? Zac Brandise and Garcia are both in their junior year; everyone else is a freshman or a sophomore. The smart bet would be Connor Shaw.
Connor Shaw is a true freshman from Flowery Branch, Georgia. He has incredible speed, and is without a doubt talented enough to be where he is. There is just one problem.  Many consider Garcia to be a mistake made by Steve Spurrier, and they couldn't be more wrong.
Spurrier was a mistake made by Garcia. It may be too early to say that, but it's getting close. 2010 is the make-or-break season. If Garcia was at a school with a coach who didn't demoralize his quarterbacks, and a school that had an offensive line, he'd be talked about for the Heisman next year.
Instead, he's playing for Spurrier, who has commented that he wanted to change Garcia's style. Lately, he seems to have changed his tune and will let Garcia play, but I doubt it. So with Shaw being a runner in every sense of the word, nothing makes me think that will change.
Keep in mind that Spurrier made Rex Grossman and Danny Wuerffel great, though they floundered on the next level. Not sure if guys who flounder under Spurrier would be great at the next level, but it's funny how things work.
Number three quarterback on the depth chart right now, Andrew Clifford, is most likely the future. The 6'2" 225 pound freshman from Tampa has the size, the tools, and most importantly a more "Spurrier-friendly" style. In the spring game, Clifford was 8-12 for 100 yards, the best performance by a quarterback.
By future I don't mean 2010. I mean 2011 or 2012 and beyond. More importantly than the "future" though is the present. Will the Gamecocks finally have an offensive line?  New Offensive Line coach Shaun Elliott is said to have turned up the intensity and it's rubbing off.
If the offensive line is there, the group lining up at wide out is quite impressive. Alshon Jefferey, D.L. Moore, Tori Gurley, and Dion LeCorn, not to mention reserves, and a nice handful of tight ends and backs to catch out of the backfield; that lineup could help nearly any quarterback look good.
While I personally don't think Garcia had a bad spring game, I know it wasn't great and it was fuel for the fire of the anti-Garcia lot. To look at Garcia's career at South Carolina, it's easy to throw the blame on him. It's impossible, however, to miss the fact that he has never, with the exception of two or three games, had time to throw.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Gamecocks, but speculation will run rampant until the spots are filled in the 2010 SEC Championship Game. If the Gamecocks aren't there, many will call for the head of Garcia. But if 2010 is a huge disappointment, it's time to call for the head that wears the visor.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

Conference expansion is coming for the third time since the 1990's, and insiders and fans expect it to be the biggest move in history for the Bowl Championship Subdivision of College Football.
Nobody knows when it is coming, but Big 10 Bosses have hired a financial firm that will help determine the deciding factors that could choose the best fit universities to expand the Big 10 to twelve teams or beyond.
If enough dominoes fall, then AD Eric Hyman must choose the fate of the city favorite college of Columbia, South Carolina. What will he decide? To make up my mind, let’s look at some history.
As early as 1922, the Gamecocks joined the Southern Conference , which formed from the roots of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association . A meeting was held on February 25, 1921 in Atlanta, Georgia. 14 member schools split from the SIAA in 1921, while USC joined the conference in 1922.
23 member schools made up the conference from 1922-1953. 13 members split from the SOCON in 1933, forming the SEC. In 1953, South Carolina Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest formed the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Gamecocks would not accomplish much in the ACC from a football standpoint, only winning two ACC Championships. The 1969 Carolina squad went 7-4 and was undefeated in conference play. The 1971 ACC title was taken away due to an ineligible player. The Gamecocks almost were invited to the Orange Bowl in 1956, but the bid did not come. Overall, the Gamecocks were mediocre at best.
In basketball, South Carolina was another story. Coach Frank McGuire led the Gamecock Ballers to an undefeated 1970 ACC season, along with an ACC Tournament Championship in 71'. Carolina qualified for three straight Sweet 16 appearances from 71-73.'
Hostility of road crowds on "Tobacco Road" in North Carolina and unfair economic treatment prompted South Carolina to become an Independent after 1971.
While operating as an independent in earlier years, the Gamecocks would see Jim Carlen and Joe Morrison reach new heights.
The Gamecocks reached six bowl games and saw six teams with eight wins or more. South Carolina finished 1984 10-2 and ranked 11th in the nation. Joe's teams were called "Fire Ants and Black Magic" due to the swarming defense wearing black jerseys
Coach Morrison died in 1989 and so did the Gamecocks.
After many tough seasons as an independent, the Gamecocks joined the SEC in 1991. Although it is a challenging conference, South Carolina has fielded a consistent football program under Brad Scott, Lou Holtz, and Steve Spurrier.
 
 
ACC-Pros
·         The South Carolina Gamecocks are from the roots of the ACC, with natural rivals such as arch-rival Clemson and former nemesis North Carolina.
·          The Gamecocks would have a better shot at playing in the conference championship game in a weaker conference.
·          The ACC Championship Game is in Charlotte, which is in close proximity to Columbia.
ACC-Cons
·         Basketball would be a tough shot in the ACC. Making the NCAA Tournament would be harder with teams such as North Carolina and Duke crowding the standings.
·         The Gamecocks could gradually become worse- they did not do much in the ACC in those days.
·         Football is not as seriously taken in the ACC. South Carolina would be looked down upon by former SEC rivals.
·         South Carolina could lose money and recruits by re-joining the ACC to fellow SEC rivals.
·         It is a step down- Clemson dreams of joining the SEC one day.
SEC-Pros
·         South Carolina is pulling in millions of dollars in the SEC.
·         It's South Carolina's identity- The Gamecocks have been playing in the SEC for 18 years
·         The Gamecocks' natural rivals are Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee- not North Carolina or Duke
·         South Carolina runs circles around Clemson in revenue- by millions
·         Steve Spurrier is an SEC man. He wants an SEC Championship with the Gamecocks before he retires.
·         The recruits came to be winners in the SEC
·         Better bowl games
·         More fanfare in the SEC
·         Tougher schedules bring more BCS Bids
SEC-Cons
·         It would be interesting to play in the same conference as Clemson, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Miami, or North Carolina-all good football teams
 
Prediction: The Gamecocks will stay in the SEC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

This isn't about predictions or expectations, this is simply what happened at the Garnet and Black game this past Saturday, April 10th.  It is also talk about who to watch and what to watch for.
Keep in mind that a good spring game does not a starter make.  If so, Justice Cunningham would be the hands-down starter for the Gamecocks at tight end in 2010.  I don't see that happening as he has some stiff competition, especially from incumbent starter Weslye Saunders.
Steve Spurrier—who has never been known for boosting the ego of his quarterback—made less than flattering comments about 2009 starter Stephen Garcia in a recent ESPN interview.  Garcia has said that he will use the comments as motivation and work even harder as summer and the 2010 season approaches.
Garcia didn't get off to the best start this past Saturday, but rebounded nicely going 8-15 for 79 yards with a touchdown and an interception.  The interception was a pass that bounced out of his intended receiver's hands and into the hands of Akeem Auguste.
There will be positions battles this off-season, including the position always under the thumb of Spurrier—the quarterback position.  Unlike the others, with Saunders, DiMarco and Cunningham at tight end, Paulk and Dickerson at linebacker, Gurley and Lecorn at slot receiver and Auguste and Swearinger at free safety, it's Stephen Garcia vs. what seems like the world.
Garcia has true freshman and likely backup quarterback (if not starter) Connor Shaw  over his shoulder. Shaw went went 4 of 8 for 59 yards while Zac Brandise was 5 of 8 for 70 yards.  The best performing quarterback of the Garnet and Black game overall was Andrew Clifford who threw 8-12 for 100 yards.  Walk-on Seth Strickland is also in the running for the job, though not expected to earn it.
Spurrier was his usual self, not optimistic, but not overly pessimistic.  "We are certainly not a very good team yet," Spurrier said.  "We have a chance if some guys come through. We have a chance, but not until we've earned it. Don't start praising the Gamecocks yet."
I agree 100%.  Every time the Gamecocks come in with hype, it's a let down, albeit let downs have become the norm around Columbia.  After all, the Gamecocks are gunning for only their second conference championship, and the first since 1969.
Spurrier has also commented that cornerback Stephon Gilmore could play wide receiver in 2010.  It's intriguing to say the least, and since I'm not paid to coach the Gamecocks I won't question it. Maybe he's shown something to the coaches that the rest of us haven't seen.
What I can't question at all is the fact that Stephon Gilmore is a next level athlete.  There is seemingly nothing he can't do.  He's already a great corner, a dual-threat quarterback (as evidenced in the Clemson game last season) and kick returner. 
I personally think he'd be more valuable as a quarterback in the Wild Cock formation, but maybe he isn't needed with both Garcia and Shaw being dual-threats.  There are seemingly no boundaries to his potential and ability as a Gamecock.
I mentioned early that Patrick DiMarco, nephew of PGA golfer Chris DiMarco will be in the running for the spot of starting tight end.  I don't know what, if anything, that tells us, but inquiring minds wonder why he will no longer be at fullback.  With the stable of running backs in Columbia, is it possible there will be a move to a two running back set?
Overall the Garnet and Black game was a good showing, plus no injuries, be it minor or major, seemed to stop the Gamecocks.  The quarterback position may be up for grabs, but seems to be in good hands.  The running backs as well as receivers seem to be strong, as well as deep.  The defensive backs also look strong, and there is depth there as well.
As I said previously, I won't speculate on the 2010 results based on the spring game, I will only say that the Gamecocks show tremendous potential and have a roster littered with game breakers and game changers.  Only time will tell what 2010 holds for the Garnet and Black.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

This isn't about predictions or expectations.
This is simply what happened at the Garnet and Black game this past Saturday, April 10th. It is also talk about who to watch and what to watch for.
Keep in mind that a good spring game does not a starter make.
If so, Justice Cunningham would be the hands-down starter for the Gamecocks at tight end in 2010. I don't see that happening, as he has some stiff competition, especially from incumbent starter Weslye Saunders.
Steve Spurrier—who has never been known for boosting the ego of his quarterback—made less than flattering comments about 2009 starter Stephen Garcia in a recent ESPN interview. Garcia has said that he will use the comments as motivation and work even harder as summer and the 2010 season approaches.
Garcia didn't get off to the best start this past Saturday, but rebounded nicely, going 8-15 for 79 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The interception was a pass that bounced out of his intended receiver's hands and into the hands of Akeem Auguste.
There will be position battles this off-season, including the position always under the thumb of Spurrier—the quarterback position. Unlike the others, with Saunders, DiMarco and Cunningham at tight end, Paulk and Dickerson at linebacker, Gurley and Lecorn at slot receiver and Auguste and Swearinger at free safety, it's Stephen Garcia versus what seems like the world.
Garcia has true freshman and likely backup quarterback (if not starter) Connor Shaw over his shoulder. Shaw went went 4 of 8 for 59 yards while Zac Brandise was 5 of 8 for 70 yards. The best performing quarterback of the Garnet and Black game overall was Andrew Clifford, who threw 8-12 for 100 yards.  Walk-on Seth Strickland is also in the running for the job, though not expected to earn it.
Spurrier was his usual self, not optimistic, but not overly pessimistic.
"We are certainly not a very good team yet," Spurrier said. "We have a chance if some guys come through. We have a chance, but not until we've earned it. Don't start praising the Gamecocks yet."
I agree 100 percent. 
Every time the Gamecocks come in with hype, it's a let down, albeit let downs have become the norm around Columbia. After all, the Gamecocks are gunning for only their second conference championship and the first since 1969.
Spurrier has also commented that cornerback Stephon Gilmore could play wide receiver in 2010. It's intriguing to say the least, and since I'm not paid to coach the Gamecocks I won't question it. Maybe he's shown something to the coaches that the rest of us haven't seen.
What I can't question at all is the fact that Stephon Gilmore is a next level athlete. There is seemingly nothing he can't do. He's already a great corner, a dual-threat quarterback (as evidenced in the Clemson game last season) and kick returner. 
I personally think he'd be more valuable as a quarterback in the Wild Cock formation, but maybe he isn't needed with both Garcia and Shaw being dual-threats. There are seemingly no boundaries to his potential and ability as a Gamecock.
I mentioned early that Patrick DiMarco, nephew of PGA golfer Chris DiMarco, will be in the running for the spot of starting tight end. I don't know what, if anything, that tells us, but inquiring minds wonder why he will no longer be at fullback. 
With the stable of running backs in Columbia, is it possible there will be a move to a two running back set?
Overall the Garnet and Black game was a good showing, plus no injuries, be it minor or major, seemed to stop the Gamecocks. The quarterback position may be up for grabs, but seems to be in good hands.  The running backs and receivers seem to be strong. The defensive backs also look strong, and there is depth there as well.
As I said previously, I won't speculate on the 2010 results based on the spring game.
I will only say that the Gamecocks show tremendous potential and have a roster littered with game-breakers and game-changers.
Only time will tell what 2010 holds for the Garnet and Black.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

Is 2010 the Year of the Gamecock? Can the University of South Carolina Fighting Gamecocks really win an SEC Championship under th guide of Steve Spurrier? "Maybe next year"... some will say. But many proclaim it is now or never for the Gamecocks. Steve Spurrier must produce a strong season or trouble will tear up the Gamecock City- Columbia, South Carolina.

Stephen Garcia must fight to stay alive or true freshman Connor Shaw of the Flowery Branch, GA Falcons will steal his spot. The offensive line is the key to keeping order for Carolina. The defense looks like it will be good as always, but the offense is a question mark... as always.

South Carolina has the keys to contend on offense. This includes two talented quarterbacks that need to work hard over the summer, Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw. Also this includes tall wideouts Tori Gurley, Alshon Jeffery and Jason Barnes. Three great Tight ends in Jared Cook, Justice Cunningham, and TE/FB Pat DiMarco.

Nevertheless, the Gamecocks main goal is to play in the 2010 SEC Championship. South Carolina must overcome offensive problems, quarterback issues, defensive injuries, and whatever it takes in 2010 to keep order in Columbia.

The Gamecocks must win most games in the SEC and have to beat archrival Clemson in the 2010 campaign. And that's what we will preview today...
Begin Slideshow

Is 2010 the Year of the Gamecock? Can the University of South Carolina Fighting Gamecocks really win an SEC Championship under th guide of Steve Spurrier? "Maybe next year"... some will say. But many proclaim it is now or never for the Gamecocks. Steve Spurrier must produce a strong season or trouble will tear up the Gamecock City- Columbia, South Carolina.

Stephen Garcia must fight to stay alive or true freshman Connor Shaw of the Flowery Branch, GA Falcons will steal his spot. The offensive line is the key to keeping order for Carolina. The defense looks like it will be good as always, but the offense is a question mark... as always.

South Carolina has the keys to contend on offense. This includes two talented quarterbacks that need to work hard over the summer, Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw. Also this includes tall wideouts Tori Gurley, Alshon Jeffery and Jason Barnes. Three great Tight ends in Jared Cook, Justice Cunningham, and TE/FB Pat DiMarco.

Nevertheless, the Gamecocks main goal is to play in the 2010 SEC Championship. South Carolina must overcome offensive problems, quarterback issues, defensive injuries, and whatever it takes in 2010 to keep order in Columbia.

The Gamecocks must win most games in the SEC and have to beat archrival Clemson in the 2010 campaign. And that's what we will preview today...
Begin Slideshow