Sports

Spurrier already making predictions

Colin Chmielewski

HOOVER, Ala. — Steve Spurrier finally is ready to compete with the big boys in the Southeastern Conference — again.

Spurrier told the throng at SEC Media Days on Wednesday that after two years getting things up to speed in Columbia, S.C., he feels like his Gamecocks can win the SEC East. "We've raised our goals this year," he said. "We're going to try to win the conference."

South Carolina went 8-5 last season and won the Liberty Bowl. But the Gamecocks also lost a number of big games by seven points or less.

That's something that Spurrier doesn't want to see again — and he doesn't want fans to be OK with it either.

"We're just trying to get our fans in the mindset that you don't applaud our guys when we lose close games," Spurrier said. "You don't have to boo us or anything, but we don't need to be patted on the back for close losses."

GEORGIA ON THE MIND

Kentucky's Rich Brooks said that the Wildcats' 24-20 win against Georgia set the tone for the rest of the season and was a landmark victory for his program.

"It had to be, considering that we hadn't beaten Georgia in 10 years," Brooks said. "It kept our hopes alive and I think convinced our team that these postseason thoughts of ours could be accomplished."

Kentucky beat Clemson, 28-20, in the Music City Bowl to finish 8-5.

PLUS-ONE POSSIBLE

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said that the idea of a "plus-one" game already is being considered for the national championship. The premise was discussed at length during the SEC's spring meetings, and officials will continue to evaluate it. Hypothetically, it would allow for an extra game to determine the national champion if there were three teams in the mix for the title. For example, last year Florida and Michigan would have played to see who met Ohio State.

"We will (evaluate), keeping in mind the parameters that I have reiterated over and over again, which are the importance of the regular season, our continued support of the bowl system and our commitment to keep college football a one-semester sport," Slive said.

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