Gamecocks' Record Doesn't Reflect Spurrier's Impact
The Gamecocks might be just 5-5 this season, but that in no way tells the story of the job Steve Spurrier has done. I have seen the Gamecocks three times in person, and probably four other times on television. They are much better than a .500 team.
Look at the scores in some of their losses.
24-17 vs. Auburn
31-24 vs. Tennessee
26-20 vs. Arkansas
17-16 at Florida
I've the seen the fourth quarter struggles in each of these games. They have nothing to do with coaching. I think Spurrier is doing a great job with a team that does not have as much talent as many of its SEC opponents. Watching today's game reminded me of the unstoppable Florida offenses that Spurrier once coached. Blake Mitchell to Sidney Rice was like Danny Wuerffel to Ike Hilliard. But the big difference is the amount of talented players on those Florida offenses compared to what Spurrier is working with at USC.
Think about the 1996 National Championship team. Wuerffel, Hilliard, Reidel Anthony, Jacquez Green, Fred Taylor. Unbelievable.
South Carolina is arguably the best team in the country that is not eligible for a bowl game yet. The Gamecocks are improving. Today's game at UF could have been a signature win. It was heartbreaking to fall short like this, but USC fans must be optimistic.
The Gamecocks are not there yet, but they are close.
Spurrier is on his way to doing something great at South Carolina.
