8. South CarolinaThe hierarchy: Coach Steve Spurrier (doubles as offensive coordinator), defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward
The buzz: Spurrier has made South Carolina football relevant nationally, not an easy task. He guided the Gamecocks to the SEC East title in 2010, the school's first title of any kind since it won the ACC crown in 1969. Spurrier's offenses certainly haven't been the juggernaut units he oversaw at Florida. The biggest reason: mediocre quarterback play. Ward replaces Ellis Johnson, who became coach at Southern Miss. Ward says he will be even more aggressive than Johnson, which (with an apology to Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap) would be akin to turning the volume to 11 on a stereo whose volume control only goes to 10. Defensive line coach Brad Lawing does a good job, and offensive line coach Shawn Elliott has elevated the play of his unit since his arrival after the 2009 season.
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