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http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/15827662.htm
PETE IACOBELLI
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. - If Steve Spurrier and South Carolina have any surprises to show this season, they had better break them out the next few weeks.
While the Gamecocks (5-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) have won four of their past five games, they head to the season's final month with a tough schedule that includes No. 8 Tennessee, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 9 Florida and, after a breather against Middle Tennessee, No. 10 Clemson.
Spurrier made a stunning return to college football a season ago, leading the lightly regarded Gamecocks to unexpected wins over the Vols, the Razorbacks and the Gators.
"We looked back at it and said, 'How in the world did we beat all those guys last year?' " Spurrier said Sunday. "How in the world?"
First off, none of the Gamecocks' final three SEC opponents were as highly ranked or regarded last year.
Tennessee went 5-6 a season ago, its worst mark since 1988; Arkansas finished 4-7 for its second straight losing year; and Florida was adjusting to first-year coach Urban Meyer when Spurrier's new team pulled the shocker against the ball coach's alma mater and former employer.
"But actually, we did it one at a time. We didn't think about the next one," Spurrier said. "That's obviously what we're doing right now."
The records of their final five opponents, including 4-3 Middle Tennessee, is 29-7.
South Carolina closed the season with five straight victories in the SEC, a streak that grew to a school record six with a 15-0 win in the opener at Mississippi State last month.
But then the Gamecocks showed the same inconsistency they did in Spurrier's first season. They were shutout by Georgia - only Spurrier's second college team to go scoreless - and squandered chances to knock off then-No. 2 Auburn three weeks later.
South Carolina's rise last fall began with solid - if not spectacular - wins over Kentucky and Vanderbilt, something the Gamecocks matched this past Saturday when they upended the Commodores 31-13.
Matching the rest of last year's run will be considerably more difficult.
Tennessee and Florida are fighting for the SEC Eastern Division's spot in the league championship game. Plus Vols coach Phillip Fulmer and the Gators' Meyer have probably heard way too much about those Spurrier wins from a year ago.
That's particular true at Rocky Top where Spurrier has had his fun poking at the Vols through the years and then beating them on the field. Spurrier has won eight of his past 10 games against Tennessee.
Spurrier said he took no extra enjoyment from defeating Vols rival Fulmer.
"No, no, just when you're the underdog and you go in the other guy's big ballpark, it wouldn't matter if were at Auburn, Georgia or Tennessee," Spurrier said.
Last year, South Carolina went into a packed Neyland Stadium with many orange-clad fans praying the Vols could wipe away Spurrier's trademark grin - and his winning history over Tennessee - in one game. Instead, it was the Vols who were vexed despite several South Carolina mistakes in a 16-15 victory that was the Gamecocks' first in Knoxville, Tenn.
"It was a game of miracles," Spurrier said.
The biggest of all may have been Josh Brown's game-deciding, 49-yard field goal, a feat Spurrier called "the kick of his life."
"It was a wonderful victory for us," he said.
The Gamecocks are capable of a few surprises this year, too, if they execute near the goal line. Spurrier said his team was 1-of-7 in such scoring chances in its losses to Georgia and Auburn. If they turn that around, "we got to believe we have a chance against anybody."
PETE IACOBELLI
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. - If Steve Spurrier and South Carolina have any surprises to show this season, they had better break them out the next few weeks.
While the Gamecocks (5-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) have won four of their past five games, they head to the season's final month with a tough schedule that includes No. 8 Tennessee, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 9 Florida and, after a breather against Middle Tennessee, No. 10 Clemson.
Spurrier made a stunning return to college football a season ago, leading the lightly regarded Gamecocks to unexpected wins over the Vols, the Razorbacks and the Gators.
"We looked back at it and said, 'How in the world did we beat all those guys last year?' " Spurrier said Sunday. "How in the world?"
First off, none of the Gamecocks' final three SEC opponents were as highly ranked or regarded last year.
Tennessee went 5-6 a season ago, its worst mark since 1988; Arkansas finished 4-7 for its second straight losing year; and Florida was adjusting to first-year coach Urban Meyer when Spurrier's new team pulled the shocker against the ball coach's alma mater and former employer.
"But actually, we did it one at a time. We didn't think about the next one," Spurrier said. "That's obviously what we're doing right now."
The records of their final five opponents, including 4-3 Middle Tennessee, is 29-7.
South Carolina closed the season with five straight victories in the SEC, a streak that grew to a school record six with a 15-0 win in the opener at Mississippi State last month.
But then the Gamecocks showed the same inconsistency they did in Spurrier's first season. They were shutout by Georgia - only Spurrier's second college team to go scoreless - and squandered chances to knock off then-No. 2 Auburn three weeks later.
South Carolina's rise last fall began with solid - if not spectacular - wins over Kentucky and Vanderbilt, something the Gamecocks matched this past Saturday when they upended the Commodores 31-13.
Matching the rest of last year's run will be considerably more difficult.
Tennessee and Florida are fighting for the SEC Eastern Division's spot in the league championship game. Plus Vols coach Phillip Fulmer and the Gators' Meyer have probably heard way too much about those Spurrier wins from a year ago.
That's particular true at Rocky Top where Spurrier has had his fun poking at the Vols through the years and then beating them on the field. Spurrier has won eight of his past 10 games against Tennessee.
Spurrier said he took no extra enjoyment from defeating Vols rival Fulmer.
"No, no, just when you're the underdog and you go in the other guy's big ballpark, it wouldn't matter if were at Auburn, Georgia or Tennessee," Spurrier said.
Last year, South Carolina went into a packed Neyland Stadium with many orange-clad fans praying the Vols could wipe away Spurrier's trademark grin - and his winning history over Tennessee - in one game. Instead, it was the Vols who were vexed despite several South Carolina mistakes in a 16-15 victory that was the Gamecocks' first in Knoxville, Tenn.
"It was a game of miracles," Spurrier said.
The biggest of all may have been Josh Brown's game-deciding, 49-yard field goal, a feat Spurrier called "the kick of his life."
"It was a wonderful victory for us," he said.
The Gamecocks are capable of a few surprises this year, too, if they execute near the goal line. Spurrier said his team was 1-of-7 in such scoring chances in its losses to Georgia and Auburn. If they turn that around, "we got to believe we have a chance against anybody."