How the Gamecocks can get to 9-3

Two months before the South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers meet at Death Valley they almost literally cross paths in a small town with a big stadium. Safe to say more South Carolinians will visit Auburn this September than in any month since time and football began on roughly the same Saturday afternoon.

Historically, however, South Carolina and Clemson do not fare well against SEC teams from Alabama.

This could be the year.

South Carolina is more than capable of challenging Florida in a watered-down SEC East. After Auburn, the Gamecocks have two weeks to prepare for Nick Saban, Inc.

The temporary return of quarterback Kyle Parker gives Clemson a shot to get through a rugged Auburn, Miami, North Carolina schedule stretch with a win or two. But C.J. Spiller has shuffled off to Buffalo, making steady defense a must.

At the FCS level, there is excitement in Orangeburg as S.C. State rides a 19-game MEAC win streak. A fun and snowy Montana victory over Appalachian State in the semifinals last year was the highest rated FCS playoff game in cable history, and Buddy Pough's Bulldogs are good enough to get that kind of exposure this year.

Once around the Palmetto State:

South Carolina

Sure wins: Furman (Sept. 18), Troy (Nov. 20).

Sure losses: None.

Probable wins: Southern Miss (Sept. 2), at Kentucky (Oct. 16), at Vanderbilt (Oct. 23), Tennessee (Oct. 30).

Probable losses: Alabama (Oct. 9), at Florida (Nov. 13).

Helmet scratchers: at Auburn (Sept. 25), Arkansas (Nov. 6), at Clemson (Nov. 27).

Barometer game: High noon vs. Georgia (Sept. 11).

Record: 9-3 and the SEC's new Gator Bowl slot or better.

Clemson

Sure wins: North Texas (Sept. 4), Presbyterian (Sept. 11).

Sure losses: None.

Probable wins: Maryland (Oct. 16), N.C. State (Nov. 6), at Wake Forest (Nov. 20).

Probable losses: at Auburn (Sept. 18), at Florida State (Nov. 13).

Helmet scratchers: at North Carolina (Oct. 9), Georgia Tech (Oct. 23), at Boston College (Oct. 30), South Carolina (Nov. 27).

Barometer game: Miami (Oct. 2).

Record: 7-5 on the way to a bowl win.

The Citadel

Head coach Kevin Higgins has rarely been so eager for on-field football drills to start after the sordid off-season Miguel Starks incident and arrest. So what a great time to open against the Chowan Hawks, the pride of Petersburg, Va.

Then it's off to Tucson for a game at Arizona. Team captains Cortez Allen, Tolu Akindele, Ryan Keiper and Alex Sellars will be asked to help hold this thing together throughout a challenging season.

Record: 4-7

Charleston Southern

Jay Mills' underrated program once again proved itself in 2009, defeating or hanging close with the best of the Big South while finishing 6-5 overall and 4-2 in the league. This might be Mills' best offense, led by dynamic do-everything receiver Gerald Stevenson. This is the Bucs' toughest schedule: Road trips to Hawaii and Kentucky, at home against Wofford and road games against Big South favorites Liberty and Stony Brook.

Record: 6-5.

S.C. State

Big year for the Bulldogs. Former head coach Willie Jeffries was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, S.C. State is the favorite to win its third straight MEAC championship and Buddy Pough's latest powerhouse opens with a bang -- at Georgia Tech.

Quarterback Malcolm Long set four school passing records as a junior.

Record: 10-1 before rolling into the FCS playoffs.

Furman

Junior cornerback Ryan Steed of Mount Pleasant (Pinewood Prep) was All-Southern Conference as a sophomore but one of the goals for Bobby Lamb's Paladins is for Steed not to have to make as many tackles this season. Improving on a 6-5 record will be tough with road trips to South Carolina, Wofford, Samford, Appalachian State and Elon.

Record: 5-6.

Wofford

The usually scrappy Terriers plummeted to 3-8 last season but a soft schedule this September makes for a 3-0 start going into an unusually early Furman (home) game. If quarterback Mitch Allen improves enough within Mike Ayers' Wingbone offense and Wofford can avoid the injury bug of 2009, look for vintage overachievement.

Record: 7-4.

Coastal Carolina

The Chanticleers righted themselves after a 1-4 Big South dip in 2008 to go 5-6 overall and 3-3 in league play. There is hope and talent at quarterback with Aramis Hillary transferring from South Carolina to join Zach MacDowall and former Wando High passer Jamie Childers.

Record: 4-7

Presbyterian

The Blue Hose are coming off an 0-11 season and transitioning to FCS play while facing a 2010 schedule starting with mismatches at Wake Forest and Clemson. So, yes, this will get uglier before it gets better. Tight end Robert Bumgarner, a three-year starter, is the best of the bright spots.

Record: 1-10.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5593.