I'd actually be surprised if South Carolina starts the season off ranked higher than 20 in the Associated Press poll. To prove my Top 20 ranking worthy, the Gamecocks will have to throw the ball up to Steve Spurrier's standards.
Senior quarterback Blake Mitchell is out of time to prove himself (while looking up his numbers I could find his stats on the South Carolina Web site, but not the NCAA site. I was going insane until I realized he didn't play in 75% of games last season). Either way, running backs Cory Boyd and Mike Davis can only do so much.
Mitchell has the chance to leave South Carolina one of the most accomplished passers in school history, but more importantly, he needs to win ball games. Call me crazy, but I think the Gamecocks will be in the hunt for the SEC East crown this season. Actually, don't call me crazy. If you do, you're looking at the 8-5 record from last year and are forgetting the club lost three straight by a total of 14 (capped off by a one-point heartbreaker to Florida).
On defense, the Gamecocks will look to several young players in their quest to live up to Campus Confidential's high expectations. Expect six new starters on the defensive side of the ball to look to Jasper Brinkley for big-time guidance. Luckily for them, the only thing the senior All-SEC linebacker has to do is lead by example, just as he did last year (107 tackles, about 80% solo).
They have a schedule to be afraid of, though. With trips to Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas, there's no room for three straight close losses this time around.
Also, just a note to Steve Spurrier: Stop stealing great recruits from Virginia Tech. That's all.
Save the date: Sept. 8 at Georgia (it's imperative they avenge a 18-0 Dawgs win)
Player I would shred you with on NCAA Football 2008: Cory Boyd
80s theme song: "Push It To The Limit" - Paul Engemann (1983) … The signature track from Scarface pretty much sums up what South Carolina needs to do with key seniors on the team this year.
25. Boston College; 24. UCLA; 23. Hawaii; 22. Florida State; 21. Georgia; 20. Oklahoma