SEC This Week

The SEC season is underway. South Carolina’s defense could be the strongest part of the team. But what is wrong with the offense? To say Beecher was ineffective wouldn’t be honest. He sucked. Beecher threw two interceptions in the first quarter and missed several additional throws. Add an interception in the second quarter. And one in the third. Has Steve Spurrier lost his golden touch? What was going through his mind while Beecher tossed interception after interception?

Beecher was given the job by Spurrier in April despite throwing three interceptions in South Carolina’s closing spring scrimmage. Ever since, Spurrier has stood solidly in Beecher’s corner repeating the junior would have a chance to go the distance for the Gamecocks this season. From AP story

Blogs urge Spurrier to “pull the plug” on the Tommy Beecher Experiment.

Sure, it’s easier to come in when the opposing defense is worn down and put up the points. But consider this: With Beecher at quarterback, the Gamecocks’ longest two drives were 34 yards each, and South Carolina scored 13 points. With Smelley under center, the Gamecocks had scoring drives of 60, 69 and 74 yards and scored 21 points. And it’s not just that Smelley (5-of-5, 92 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) was measurably better than Beecher (12-of-22, 106 yards, 0 TDs, 4 INTs). The entire offense seemed to kick it up a notch with Smelley. Mike Davis with Beecher: 7 rushes, 11 yards. Mike Davis with Smelley: 7 rushes, 90 yards. Beecher could be a fit for a running quarterback, situational role. But nothing he showed me Thursday indicated he can start in the SEC.
From Garnet And black Attack

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has a decision to make that should be very easy, as long as he doesn’t mind admitting he was wrong.

He needs to acknowledge that his best quarterback isn’t the guy he chose to start last night’s opener, Tommy Beecher. He needs to bench Beecher and choose Chris Smelley as his starting quarterback for next Thursday’s game at Vanderbilt, and going forward.
From College Football Talk

The Gamecock’s offensive line drew attention from some blogs.

Despite scoring 34 points, for most of last night’s game Steve’s Spurrier’s offense looked thoroughly inept. The offensive line, a big weakness last year for the Gamecocks, gave no reason to think it would be much better this year. It was porous and failed to get any push against the NC State defensive line until the game was pretty much decided after the end of the 3rd quarter
From And The Valley Shook

Again sore spot was the O-line but they began to play good towards the end of the game but not sure if that was fatigue on the NCSU side or good better play.
From Left Over Hotdog

CollegeFootballNews questioned ESPN and its heavy ex-Florida Gator tilt. It also panned the Dr. Lou Show.

Vanderbilt: Chris Nickson brilliant in return to starting job—Inside Vandy
Showing the dual-threat talent that made him a star for Vanderbilt two years ago, Nickson made big play after big play with his arm and his legs, leading the Commodores to a convincing 34-13 victory over the RedHawks in both teams’ season openers. The elusive signal-caller rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, and completed nine of 16 passes for 90 yards, one score and no turnovers.