2006 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Preview

Welcome to the official MadduxSports.com 2006 South Carolina Gamecocks NCAA season preview. Like we do each and every season we have inspected and broken down the team, you can also find the 2006 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Schedule here. If you plan to bet on NCAA football be sure to use expert College football picks from Maddux Sports as well as bookmark our free college football lines page offering up to the minute point spreads for the weekly schedule.

Coach: Steve Spurrier (2nd year at South Carolina)
Team Name: Gamecocks
2005 Overall Record: 7-4
2005 SEC Conference Record 5-3
Returning Starters: 12

The Gamecocks have one of the best college coaches in the business—Steve Spurrier, who has been to 12 consecutive bowl games as a college coach. QB Blake Mitchell (17 TDs, 12 INTs) had an inconsistent season in 2005 but seems primed for 2006.

Receiver Sidney Ross (70 REC, 1,143 YDS, 13 TDs) is exceptional but needs help. The rushing game was one of the worst in the nation but tough running junior Cory Boyd, suspended last season, is back and that should help.

The offensive line is filled with new faces, which could be good news for this team that was plagued by inadequate blocking.

The offense scored 23.7 PPG, while the defense allowed 23.3 PPG. That margin is simply too close for comfort. Along with additional offensive output, South Carolina needs better “D” when it comes to the run. (They gave up an average of 174.3 YDS/GM.)

The team’s top 7 tacklers are gone, but the Gamecocks have some good new talent. The team possesses solid corners and a big, fast junior college transfer, Jasper Brinkley, at linebacker who looks like the real thing.

South Carolina has a light schedule, which certainly helps. This year they could best 2005’s 7 – 5 record. Toss up games and the season are back to back against Tennessee and Arkansas.

South Carolina Gamecocks 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Aug 31	Mississippi State	Road
Sep 9	Georgia	Home
Sep 16	Wofford	Home
Sep 23	Fla Atlantic	Home
Sep 28	Auburn	Home
Oct 7	Kentucky	Road
Oct 21	Vanderbilt	Road
Oct 28	Tennessee	Home
Nov 4	Arkansas	Home
Nov 11	Florida	Road
Nov 18	Middle Tennessee	Home
Nov 25	Clemson	Road

 

For more data on the 2006 South Carolina football program, view the Gamecocks team website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.