Sep 6, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Nick Jones (3) runs for yardage with East Carolina Pirates linebacker Brandon Williams (24) in pursuit at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina wins 33-23 over East Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
9. South Carolina
Last Week’s Result: Beat East Carolina 33-23
The Gamecocks continue to slide down our SEC Power Rankings because of less than impressive results. It is true that East Carolina is a good football team, and they could even be a contender for the American Athletic Conference title this season, but the fact is South Carolina was expected to contend for its own conference championship, and perhaps even a national championship. Through two games, the Gamecocks have looked like a contender for neither.
On Saturday, Carolina got a much-needed 101-yard performance from running back Mike Davis that included two touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Thompson had 266 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception. He completed seven passes to Shaq Roland for 94 yards, and found Pharoh Cooper and Nick Jones five times each for 45 and 44 yards, respectively.
The defense was not great, but there was some improvement from the Week 1 disaster against Texas A&M. The Gamecocks allowed 453 total yards and 321 yards through the air, but they also came up with some big plays. TJ Gurley and Sharrod Golightly both intercepted ECU quarterback Shane Carden, which is a step in the right direction for sure.
This Week: vs. Georgia