It's a patient Ol' Ball Coach

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier fielded a rather innocuous question during the middle of his news conference Tuesday.

At 5-2, someone asked how his patience was faring.

"My patience is pretty good, I think," Spurrier said, grinning. "I didn't get mad at all last week (at Alabama) after a few errant plays."

The visor- and fit-pitching Spurrier could be gone, folks. Well, almost.

"I got mad at the Kentucky game," he said. "I did throw my headset and visor off one time on a play.

"I try not to do that. I don't like to act upset on the sideline. I tried to remain calm the last game."

In terms of big-picture patience, good recruiting classes have given Spurrier reason to be hopeful about the Gamecocks' future.

"Every team, you add on to your team each year," Spurrier said. "So, we're pumped up about some guys that are going to be here in the future. But again, this is the year right now, and we're trying to get our players to play at a higher level."

Alabama rules

Spurrier called into question Tuesday whether Alabama was allowed to put down a piece of white tape on its field-goal tries, to mark the spot for its holds.

"I didn't know you could put a little piece of white tape down for where your spot is on extra-point (and) field goals," Spurrier said. "Maybe it's legal, I don't know, but that's the first time I'd ever seen that."

The league office said it's examining the matter. The SEC did say there's an NCAA rule that prohibits it, though.

The matter came up because Spurrier was asked about the Tide pumping songs into the stadium before defensive third downs.

The SEC said artificial sound is only permissible in pregame, halftime, postgame, after a score and during timeouts.

It said schools would be reminded this week of that league rule.

BBL fights back

Gamecocks defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye flashed a smile, unsure if he wanted to expose his secret. But he did.

Ajiboye, you see, has dropped about 20 pounds from a year ago -- when his teammates used to tease him and call him BBL (Bad Body Ladi).

"I know my face is cute, but now my body is matching it," Ajiboye said, laughing. "I had manboobs and stuff."

His name now?

"Now I'm just Ladi," he said.

A marching offense

Out of nowhere, Spurrier talked about an offense he's currently enjoying watching: the New Orleans Saints, who hung 48 points Sunday on the previously undefeated New York Giants.

Quarterback Drew Brees has thrown for 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns in five games.

"We don't look like Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints back there, let's put it that way," Spurrier said of his own offense. "I love watching those guys play. There's no hesitation. He's really good and they've got a good offense; they know what they're doing. It's fun watching those guys when you get a chance."

• Travis Haney