USC must address the QB question

COLUMBIA — For South Carolina, it's another year that ends with more questions than answers.

The 7-6 season, and the three-game losing streak to close it, makes the Gamecocks' puzzle look incomplete as football coach Steve Spurrier now looks toward his fifth season at USC.

Here are five questions about the pieces that need to interlock for measured, effective progress to be made:

1. Can Spurrier find a quarterback he can count on?

Seems like a most logical place to start. Spurrier thought Tommy Beecher was the guy for most of the 2008 offseason. Who'll be the guy this summer? Probably Stephen Garcia, but he'll have to earn it in spring ball after that lousy showing in the Outback Bowl. It's really difficult to believe that Spurrier hasn't been able to find a go-to guy in four seasons with the Gamecocks. Most assumed it would only take a year or two. But, as he says, that's where they are right now.

Keep an eye, too, on redshirt freshman Reid McCollum. Kenny McKinley mentioned after the bowl that he liked the Summerville native's arm. We'll see how he develops.

2. Will new blood on coaching staff make a difference?

Fans had called for John Hunt's head for a couple of years. They got

their wish. Who are you going to get to replace him? Vandy's Robbie Caldwell is the No. 1 choice, but is he in a better spot right now? Either way, it's a very important hire, since the line (and, by virtue, the running game) has been a sore spot throughout most of Spurrier's stay at USC. The other offensive assistant hire is also key — particularly what Spurrier chooses to do with it. If he brings in a quarterbacks coach, the status quo is likely to continue. But, with a new receivers coach or an offensive assistant in capacities other than QBs, there's a chance for the infusion of new ideas. Also, will Duce Staley's addition to the staff make a difference in terms of players' attitudes? And don't underestimate the importance of the new strength coach.

3. Could any of the freshmen help right away?

Spurrier mentioned them in the postgame after the Outback Bowl. That tells you he's counting on some of them. But is that fair in year No. 5? Shouldn't the foundation already be pretty set by now? Running back Jarvis Giles, defensive back DeVonte Holloman and athlete Stephon Gilmore will all enroll next week. Given their early arrivals and skill sets, they're the rookies most will have an eye on with the fall in mind. Giles could be the dynamic threat the offense has been missing. But that's a lot to put on a guy who's yet to sit in a college class, much less play a college down.

4. Can South Carolina develop a running game?

Say all you want about the quarterback position, but the fact that USC could not run the ball in '08 made life incredibly difficult for Garcia and Chris Smelley. It gave defenses the upper hand in virtually every situation. Something has to change, whether it be physically, philosophically, what have you. The personnel will be different with Brian Maddox, Eric Baker and a host of youngsters like Giles. A lot of the offensive linemen will be back, and they'll have a new position coach. How much will Spurrier commit to the run? That could be as important as any other associated change. Hunt's contention was that Spurrier never gave the run a legitimate chance to work.

5. Will the Gamecocks be able to ward off evil spirits?

People are again down on this program, down on Spurrier. How much fortitude do the Gamecocks have at this point? Are those on the team and coaching staff closer to being defeated than being stubbornly driven to win? More and more people are starting to say the current state doesn't look all that different than Lou Holtz's final years at USC. That's a frightening thought. But is it wrong?

Back in 2004, those close to Spurrier told him how difficult it would be to win at South Carolina. They were right.

Here's the sixth big question, the million-buck one: How much more can Spurrier take?