The South Carolina football team in 2011 has a favorable schedule in their quest for a repeat SEC East crown on their way to a BCS berth. In saying that, there are five games the Gamecocks can not overlook and let’s point those out:
East Carolina
This is the season opener and the game right before playing Georgia. So the Gamecocks need to come out ready to pounce. East Carolina is not a team to be overlooked as they can surprise anyone due to a very good offense.
East Carolina scores a lot of points (16th overall in FBS) and with returning QB Dominique Davis, who threw for almost 4,000 yards last year, they will be looking to shock the world and ruin USC’s dreams of a BCS game.
Vanderbilt
Those pesky Commodores always seem to give the Gamecocks fits. No matter how each team is playing, Vandy presents a tough game for USC for some unknown reason.
Get the Lattimore train rolling along as Vandy should not be able to slow the Gamecocks offense. The Gamecocks need to come into this game and simply take care of business. They should be coming in off a Navy win and need to not overlook Vandy even if Auburn is the following week.
Kentucky
South Carolina needs to beat the Wildcats soundly in 2011. Last year was the first time Steve Spurrier lost to them and that should have never happen, especially last season. Some say USC overlooked UK in 2010 and this cannot happen again in 2011 if USC has any hope of claiming the SEC East in 2011.
This battle with the Wildcats marks the end of a four game homestead for USC before they hit the road for three games. USC should be coming into this game undefeated and they will need to have both Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery finding quality production.
Coach Spurrier and his team will need to prove to Kentucky that last year was a fluke.
Mississippi State
Dan Mullen is quietly building a solid program in Starkville as he keeps improving the Bulldogs. This match-up with the Bulldogs is the beginning of a three game road trip for USC that will determine what kind of season the Gamecocks can have.
The Gamecocks need to escape MSU’s home turf with a win and that will prove a big obstacle. It will come down to which team tackles the best as lots of run plays will be called between these two teams.
The Gamecocks could be sitting undefeated coming in to this game and to leave unharmed the Gamecocks must not overlook the Bulldogs.
Tennessee
The Volunteers are reloading after some unusual years as the goal is getting back to a legitimate yearly threat to win the SEC East which is normal for the UT faithful.
Derek Dooley is heading into his second term as Tennessee’s head coach and will be sporting a very young roster. Dooley believes he has begun to get the right tools in place. The 2011 Vols may not win a lot of games but they will compete each time out. USC cannot overlook UT because if they do then UT has the weapons to dash the hopes of the garnet faithful.
