2012 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Preview

2011 SEC Record: 6-2 (2nd SEC East) – Overall 11-2

Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense, 0 special teams

The Good: Welcoming back Marcus Lattimore is the best news the ‘Cocks could have received. Another welcomed piece of news is there is no Stephen Garcia issues, and that means Connor Shaw should be able to focus on being the undisputed QB. Also good news is having one of the best set of defensive ends in Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor, who will provide chaos for opposing offenses.

The Bad: The secondary will be tested as Stephon Gilmore left early for the NFL, and the other star in the backfield, C.C. Whitlock, graduated. The only returning starter is the free safety, D.J. Swearinger, who will have to coach up the talented, but inexperienced, replacements.

The Ugly: People often overlook he kicking game, but it can bet the difference in victory and defeat, especially in he SEC. Carolina does not return a kicker from last year and that might make a difference, especially in the close games that inevitably come during the year. Field position and three pointers are the difference in contending for championships, or booking a trip to the Independence Bowl. (No offense, Shreveport…)

The Schedule: Usually going 6-2 and winning 10 regular season games means a division championship, but the schedule makers were not kind to the Gamecocks last season, and it cost them a return trip to Atlanta. This year is the same as they get both LSU and Arkansas, who will be tough. Throw in the fact they face Georgia, LSU and Florida in a row, and that might be the difference again this year.

What will happen: South Carolina has finally reached the level their victory starved fans have always wanted. They are 20-7 over the past two years, and posted the most victories in school history in 2011. Building off that, and having Lattimore back, USC will be a beast again this season. The difference in being great, and returning to Atlanta to play for the SEC Championship, is they have a tougher schedule than Georgia, so that means we will see a carbon copy of what we saw last year as the ‘Cocks will fall one game short again.

Bowl Game: Let’s go Outback tonight, or in the morning, or whenever they schedule the kickoff for the game in Tampa…

2012 Prediction: 2nd in the SEC East.

For a preview of all the teams go to 2012 SEC Football Preview.

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