COLUMBIA, S.C. — There is a low-voltage buzz in this town, a hum of expectation and excitement that comes with the optimism of football in the South.
South Carolina, which has never won a major bowl game, has been picked to repeat as SEC East champs. The Post came away from a visit here convinced Steve Spurrier has built a legitimate Top 25 power.
We also found five reasons why the Gamecocks could be the latest program to get to within a bird’s eye view of the pinnacle of college football only to be carried off the mountain in a body bag.
Those five reasons, in no particular order, are:
1. Quarterback Stephen Garcia.
2. Garcia.
3. Garcia.
4. Garcia.
5. Garcia.
That’s one Garcia for every suspension Garcia has been hit with in four-plus years in Columbia. Moving forward the Gamecocks should just say they’ve “Garcia’d” a player, instead of saying he has been suspended.
Garcia’s most recent suspension was in April when he was asked to leave an SEC-mandated “life skills” seminar after getting into an argument with an administrator.
Garcia, who flunked life skills, apparently met the requirements laid out for him by Spurrier, athletic director Eric Hyman and university president Harris Pastides, who we only can suggest have a vested interest in their starting quarterback being eligible for the Gamecock’s first-ever legitimate run at an SEC title.
So Garcia has one last chance to lead a team that might have the nation’s best running back in Marcus Lattimore and nation’s best receiver in Alshon Jeffery, a solid offensive line and a stout defense.
Of course, one never knows about injuries and that sort. Arkansas lost its star running back, Knile Davis, to a broken ankle suffered in a scrimmage. Stuff happens.
Which brings us back to Garcia. Stuff has happened. And happened. And happened. And happened. And happened.
So why in the world should Garcia’s teammates trust him? Why should South Carolina fans trust him?
“Because they have to, I guess,” Garcia said. “I’m asking them to. I feel like I’ve talked to Coach Spurrier about this offseason. I think I’ve proved a lot since this whole thing transpired. Hopefully they’ll take me back one more time.”
After listening and watching Garcia at South Carolina’s media day, it’s easy to understand why his teammates say they trust him. The guy just seems like he’s fun to hang with.
After handling a series of tough questions focusing on his most recent suspension and his last stand, a reporter asked a generic question about South Carolina’s chances this season.
A relieved Garcia leaned back in his chair and tapped the shoulder of teammate Bruce Ellington, who had been ignored in the shadow of Lattimore and Jeffery. Chuckles filled the room. Garcia smiled. No one accused him of having alcohol on his breath.
When Garcia was asked if he has a problem with alcohol, which played a role in two of his prior suspensions, he answered, “No.”
He should have quit when he was ahead. But this was Garcia’s first chance to answer questions since April, when he failed the life skills seminar.
He spent the spring and summer playing pickup basketball until his reinstatement in early August.
Garcia seemed sincere when he said of his teammates, “I really love these guys a lot. I’m very thankful to still be here.”
He seemed honest when asked about his uncanny ability to find trouble, or have trouble find him. Five times.
He said he wasn’t prepared to be placed under the microscope as few 18-year-old program saviors are.
“A fish bowl you could say,” Garcia said. “I’ve learned the hard way which I’ve had a tendency to do over my life. But I guess I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
We were feeling good about South Carolina’s chances. That’s when we realized we might be the pigeon in this poker game.
Garcia, a fifth-year senior, was asked if he’s taking graduate classes. After saying he was not, Garcia ticked off his “course load.”
“I’m taking a few online classes,” he said. “A Navy Seal warfare class that I thought would be pretty interesting. And, I think, archery.”
Archery, he thinks.
That thump you heard was Spurrier’s visor hitting the floor.