Final Thoughts on South Carolina at Arkansas: The Upcoming Weeks Should Be Spurrier's Last Chance

by Gamecock Man on Nov 7, 2025 5:50 PM EST in Football

Brett Flashnick - AP

about 1 month ago: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, right, calls for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas at Williams-Brice Stadium, in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Arkansas won 41-20. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

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I usually use my Sunday afternoon posts to discuss strategy, specific performances, and the like. I'm sure there's still a lot to be said in those regards about the abortion that occurred last night. We could chat all day about how stupid the fake punt call was, whether we should have run the WildCock, or which DB is having the worst year. However, I'm going to forego that issue and get down to brass tacks: we got whipped so badly last night in our house because our team didn't want this game badly enough. (Notice that I'm not saying that we would have won with better effort; Arkansas is a good team, and what good effort would have equaled would have been a close game that could have gone either way.) Is there really any other way to explain it? There was no focus, no execution, and no fire. And simply put, that's unacceptable. This team has more talent than perhaps any team in Carolina history, and they've shown us that at moments this year. The sky has been the limit for this team, and yet here we are, staring down another late-season collapse. It's simply baffling that we didn't get a better performance from the team last night.

The evidence of a lackadaisical performance is everywhere to be found. Our receivers, many of them proven talents, couldn't catch well-placed balls. We gave Garcia no protection, and we got the usual performance from him when that's the case. Marcus Lattimore had no room to run. Ever. (Lattimore is one of the few players that get a pass in this regard; as always, he fought for every yard he could get.) Maybe the worst aspect of the performance from an effort standpoint was our tackling. Our DBs looked tentative for most of the game and declined to put big hits on Arkansas's runningbacks. You can complain all you want about the "dirty" hit laid on Connor Shaw at the end of the game, but one thing's for sure: Arkansas's defensive players came to Columbia ready to lay the wood and make plays. Our guys came hoping that our offense would bail them out again. Just an atrocious performance all around.

This kind of game shows you that somewhere, there are serious problems in this program. I'm not sure where to place the blame, but ultimately is has to go on Steve Spurrier. He's the man at the top. He sets the tone, hires the position coaches, does all the things that should equal better play than what we got last night. And if he can't get this team in gear to round out the season in a positive manner, we need to cut ties. I don't say this lightly. Anyone who follows this blog knows that I love Spurrier and think he's done some nice things for this program. But this is it, folks. This is the year when we have the talent and many of the other teams that usually give us trouble don't. If Spurrier can't win some key games now, why should we expect that he ever will?

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Read More: Connor Shaw (QB - South Carolina), Marcus Lattimore (RB - South Carolina), South Carolina Gamecocks, Arkansas Razorbacks at South Carolina Gamecocks, Nov 6, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

Comments

Hit on Shaw...

I know a lot of us have been arguing about the legality of the hit on Shaw. It was a clean hit; check the image in this message board thread. Was it a little uncalled for to level into Shaw like that at that point in the game? Maybe. But this is football, folks. Defensive players should want to hit the guy with the ball in his hands. That’s what they live for. I wish we had some headhunters like that in our secondary.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 7, 2025 7:14 PM EST reply actions

Agree that it was not a late hit, and agree that we need intensity.

However, as one poster pointed out, I think that hit fits the definition of unnecessary roughness. The Arkansas defender lowered his helmet and launched himself like a missile into Shaw, when all he needed to do was push or run him out of bounds. I realize my garnet glasses are probably blinding me a bit on this, but I think fans do have a reason feel upset about that particular play.

In any case, though, you’re right; it’s part of football. Shaw will be okay, he’s a tough kid. I guess you could just say it was his “Welcome to the SEC” moment. He’ll play smarter from now on.

by RumblinFish on Nov 7, 2025 11:15 PM EST reply actions

I think that's fair...

It looked to me like he went with his shoulder instead of his helmet, but it was certainly a savage hit on a defenseless player at a meaningless moment in the game. I can see getting upset over it. But I guess I can also see where the Ark. fans are coming from, and, like I said, I think we could certainly go for having some viciousness like that in our own secondary.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 7, 2025 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

FINALLY! I can respond

I signed up and had to wait 24 hours just to respond to this silliness.

Let me ask you this? If your player was “defenseless”, who’s fault is it? Think about it for a minute. The rules against hitting a “defenseless” player we put in to keep a wide receiver who’s laying out trying to catch a ball . . . or a player trailing a play 20 yards away from the ball . . . from being creamed when they really have no chance to protect themselves.

Was that the case with your QB? Of course not. He simply made a poor choice by slowing down and NOT getting out of bounds when he SHOULD have known that a freight train was bearing down on him. As everyone now knows, he was clearly in the field of play. If he wants to avoid having his clock cleaned, I suggest that he should either (a) get out of bounds earlier; or (b) bow up, protect himself and deliver the lick himself. Crying about a hit he should have known was coming because he displayed a poor knowledge of the fundamentals of self-preservation is NOT a valid response.

That said, I am - of course - sorry that ANYONE ever gets hurt or injured. But let’s all be grown ups about this thing and place any blame for the injury on the responsible party - your QB. Arkansas trains their defenders to hit anything in bounds, hard and cleanly. I’ll be S. Carolina does too.

by WizardofhgZ on Nov 9, 2025 11:41 PM EST up reply actions

For now, at least, I remain in Spurrier's corner.

As far as I’m concerned, he’s one of the best things, if not THE best thing, that has happened here in terms of coaching. He, along with Holtz, has helped foster a culture change in both the program and the fanbase. It’s been a slow process, but because of Spurrier, Carolina fans can actually have expectations now. It wasn’t too long ago that we just hoped for bowl eligibility, a win at Clemson, and left it at that.

However, I want Lorenzo Ward’s head on a platter. Our secondary is too talented and was too good last year for it to be this much of a miserable joke. I’m willing to give Ellis Johnson a pass since he has proven his ability, but his attitude lately has left a lot to be desired as well. Additionally, Spurrier absolutely needs to reclaim playcalling duties and otherwise take control of this team. If he can’t get excited about the most talented group he’s had here — a group that has taken us to the brink of a first-ever division title — well, I don’t know what to say. I will definitely sour on him if we finish 7-6 or even 8-5 (including the bowl game).

by RumblinFish on Nov 7, 2025 11:28 PM EST reply actions

I should clarify that I'm not calling for his head right now...

And I probably won’t if we lose to Florida this weekend, either, as long as its respectable. If we lose ugly to the Gators, though, and then follow that up with a loss to a puttering Clemson team, Spurrier needs to go. He’s definitely done some good things for the program, but at some point we have to break through and have a solid season, and that some point has to be now. This team is too talented for us not to at least challenge Florida this weekend and then to whip Clemson in a few weeks. There’s just no excuse for this season ending like the last two have.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 7, 2025 11:40 PM EST up reply actions

Losing to UF is unfortunately very possible. They're already favored by 7.

Not only is it on the road and in one of college football’s most hostile environments, the Gators have put themselves back together a bit. They’re still not particularly solid at QB, but Chris Rainey’s return was a shot in the arm and there’s no shortage of talent on their roster. If we’d caught them earlier in the season, like we did with Georgia, I’d feel very confident. But I think they’re on the verge of turning the corner this year and we could not be rolling in there at a worse time or under worse circumstances. If we play at all like we did on Saturday night (which was essentially not at all), UF wins by at least 14.

(Of course, that begs the question: Why do we get worse as the season progresses while other SEC teams get better? But that’s another rant for another day, I suppose…)

Regardless, a loss to Clemson as well would be downright inexcusable, considering their QB situation is bordering on awful and Ellington might be lost for the season. The Arky game gave me flashbacks to the ‘08 Clemson game, where we rolled up, didn’t give a damn, and got thoroughly owned despite being the better team. Carolina and Clemson are in similar positions again this year: We’re performing much better than CU and the Tigers have a potential coaching dilemma on their hands, but we’ve seen this movie before and it had a horrible ending. I just hope we can take advantage this time, no matter what happens with UF.

by RumblinFish on Nov 8, 2025 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

My biggest issue with Spurrier is his passive approach

to the situations LSU usually excels in. I thought we were getting the aggressive, go for it Spurrier I remembered at Florida. That Spurrier was one of the few coaches that seemed to understand the conventional wisdom is flat wrong on many in-game punt or go for it calls, and seemed to delight in spurning the CW. Instead, he has played very cautiously in multiple game situations.

We punted on 4th and 4 inside the Kentucky 40 when another score would have likely crushed their spirit. UK went 96 yards to make it 28-17 and ignite their comeback. We punted on 4th and about a foot against Tennessee when we were one drive from crushing their spirit. Tennessee’s FR QB got on a roll, they scored their first of two straight TD’s, and we found ourselves in a tie game in the 4th quarter.

Both of those were bad tactical decisions, and there are multiple studies with the numbers to prove it. Besides being flat out wrong, they sent the wrong message to the team.

I’m sick of seeing wussy coaching, then hearing post-game complaints that our guys lack a killer instinct. If you want your team to play with a killer instinct, you need to man up and coach with a killer instinct.

"They've just discovered a new use for sheep over there at Clemson... wool." - Lewis Grizzard

by GwinnettGamecock on Nov 8, 2025 12:53 AM EST reply actions

I agree.

I don’t think you can argue that Les Miles is, in many ways, a bad coach. But he does one thing right, and that’s that he’s never afraid to go in for the kill when the opportunity presents itself. His players see that, and it rubs off on them. That dynamic is lacking for our team.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 8, 2025 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

I dunno...

I mean I definitely see a disconnect. It seems like sometimes Spurrier is takes the safe way out and then sometimes it seems like they unnecessarily force something in the effort to go for it all.

That Kentucky game that GG mentioned, it was 4th and 6 at the UK 37, while I agree that we could have gone for it given the field position, but we punted and downed it inside the 5. Like you mentioned. But this goes back to the lack of tenacity on defense. They need to take advantage of that situation and get a safety, turnover or at worst a 3 and out. But still, at 4th and 6 I think you have to punt it. 4th and 4 or less, probably go for it.

In general I agree with what you said, I just think that was a poor example. But at the end of the game they tried to throw to the end zone. But that was a problem all together, poor use of timeouts, forcing a low percentage pass to the end zone in stead of going to overtime. That was a Les-Like play without the lucky outcome.

- FOW

by skandrewj62j on Nov 8, 2025 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

I'm down to 20% in my fan confidence.

I thought this year would be different. I thought we had the talent not to be Jekyll and Hyde, but oh well. There is some fundamental problem at our university that contributes to this underachieving attitude. I don’t know what it is, but until it’s fixed we won’t have an elite team.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 8, 2025 4:43 AM EST reply actions

I saw only one "well placed" ball

And that was the one to Barnes, that he was unable to catch. Everything else was to high, wide or short. Garcia was lucky he had only 2 interceptions he should of had 4. Jeffery was able to defend one and the other the Arkansas defensive back couldn’t handle.

I’ve only been to one game this season, the Tennessee game, but that one game really opened my eyes to how bad Garcia throws. He consistently misses his receivers. Over throws, under throws, behind, he’s absolutely atrocious. The only reason he has the stats he has is because the receiving core is good and bails him out constantly. In the Tennessee game I saw only two good throws, last night I only saw one.

by timmy_ on Nov 8, 2025 9:23 AM EST reply actions

Off the top of my head...

I can remember at least one other solid throw that was dropped, the potential TD to Sanders. It was slightly overthrown, but it was still a catchable ball. Outside of Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, no QB throws it in the perfect spot every time. I’m not saying Garcia had a good game—he clearly didn’t—but it could have been worse. Plus, his worse throws continue to come on the corner fade route, and since we know he can’t throw that pass, why do we keep running that play?

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 8, 2025 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

I think the play you’re referring to is the one where Sanders was trying to make the catch off the defenders back. The throw was on Sanders but with the defender there it was going to be a tough catch for Sanders. If I remember correctly you could see Sanders pointing up saying he wanted it a little bit higher, but that’s neither here nor there.

I’m not naive to expect a Brees or Manning type of performance, but for a guy who will drop back to pass 20-30 times he needs to be making more than 2 good throws a game. Especially if Lattimore isn’t 100%. If the Gamecocks have to rely on Garcia to win a game, as has been the case in all three loses, it’s not going to happen.

by timmy_ on Nov 8, 2025 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I think that's probably fair.

With the state of our defense, I also have a hard time believing we can win games against good teams while leaning on our passing game. We were able to do that at times last year (Ole Miss comes to mind), but that was always by winning close, low-scoring games. Our defense isn’t going to put us in the position to be able to do that again this year.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 8, 2025 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

I don't agree with that at all.

I think Garcia had a lot of good throws against Arkansas. He always has one or two overthrows, and a couple ones that are potential interceptions, but for the most part I think he’s been really accurate this year. Against Arkansas, he may have had one or two more bad throws than normal, but it was pretty much on par with his regular performances.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 8, 2025 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

I think you're right...

But I would also agree with timmy_ that we’re not going to be able to win many more games if we have to lean too much on the passing game. That puts us right back to where we were last year, which is scoring around 20 ppg. That’s not going to be enough to win against Florida, and probably not against Clemson, either.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 8, 2025 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

You agree with everyone about everything.

It took me saying I hated the 2001 theme song before I saw you disagree with someone. You’re very diplomatic. You should be a politician, or a counselor.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 8, 2025 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

I srongly disagree. :-)

I got into it pretty good with the Alabama folks about our WRs, as you should remember. Maybe Gatorpilot can come by sometime and tell you about all the trouble I used to cause on his old blog whenever he would slam Spurrier.

I am pretty diplomatic, though. I guess you learn be that way as a teacher.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 8, 2025 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Same team, different year

I printed off a quote from Spurrier and placed it beside my desk at. It is to the effect " We’re a different team. We have diferent leaders, different players. It’s going to be a new team," Spurrier said. “We think our guys will really compete.”, blah,blah. Other than the Alabama game, I have witnessed the same old Gamecocks. I am a huge fan, but like a lot of others; am running out of patience with another end of the season slide. I was going to pull this quote down once I saw evidence this was a ‘different’ team. For now I am leaving it up.

by trey1217 on Nov 10, 2025 3:37 PM EST reply actions