the Gamecocks offensive woes that have been prevalent throughout much of its SEC history.

After two games (Vanderbilt and Georgia) in 2004, Holtz’ offense was averaging 23.5 points and about 360 yards per game. After two games (Central Florida and Georgia), Spurrier’s offense is averaging 19.5 points and 316 yards per game. Based on records and preseason expectations of the first two opponents in 2004 and 2005, the 2004 opponents were supposed to be tougher. Georgia was picked as possible national champion in 2004 and its defense contained All-World players in DE David Pollack and SS Thomas Davis plus an excellent LB in Odell Thurman. Holtz’ offense scored 16 points and gained 273 yards. Spurrier’s offense scored 15 points and had 279 total yards against perhaps a less-talented Dawg defense. So, Holtz faced tougher opposition and produced better offensive stats.

While at Florida, opposing defensive coordinators always said the way to stymie Spurrier’s offense was to keep it off the field. Both Central Florida and Georgia did just that and held a decided time of possession advantage. Plus, both of those teams bottled up Spurrier’s ground game.

When Spurrier became a complete coach and won the national championship, he had a balanced offense. The year he won the national title, his offense ran the ball 52% of the time. The year before that he threw the ball 65% of the time and suffered a blowout loss in the national title game against Nebraska.

The fact is Spurrier won at Florida not just because of his notorious “Fun N Gun” offense. Critical to his success was an average to above-average ground game and a two-deep defense that could get him the ball back and finished near or at the top of the SEC defensive stats. Also, he had above-average special teams play. Thus far, he doesn’t have those critical parts. The only thing that is working is the passing game and that is not enough to get over the hump against teams like Georgia and the other upper-echelon SEC teams.

Against Central Florida, the running game was ineffective because the Gamecock offensive line got manhandled by the Knights defensive line. Such was not the case against Georgia. The poor ground game against Georgia was the result of play calling.

Carolina ran 57 offensive plays against Georgia and only 13 of those plays involved the tailbacks. Mike Davis and Daccus Turman managed 60 yards on their 13 plays, which is a 4.6 average. Three rushing attempts by the wide receivers netted just 6 yards. A 4.6 yards per rush by the tailbacks is good. There were 38 passing plays called. At 4.6 yards per rush. 25 runs by the tailbacks could have netted 115 yards and helped with time of possession.

Georgia had a very good defensive front seven, yet Davis and Turman had success on their limited number of rushing attempts. Maybe Spurrier should temper his criticism and concern for the running game and call more running plays.

This Saturday, it will be critical for Carolina to run the ball effectively. Alabama has a great defense and being one-dimensional will make it tough to win. The Tide run defense has allowed just 43 yards in two games, but Davis and Turman proved they could run against a good Georgia front seven. The question heading into the Alabama game is whether Spurrier will have patience with the ground game and balance the offense.