SEC Power Rankings: Missouri Making a Move

Oct 5, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier corrects tight end Jerell Adams (89) against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

6. South Carolina Gamecocks

Record: 4-1 (2-1)

Previous Ranking: 5

Last Week: South Carolina 35, Kentucky 28

This Week: at Arkansas

Next Week: at Tennessee

South Carolina only beat Kentucky by seven points. At home.

Yes, Connor Shaw was playing with a banged up shoulder, Jadeveon Clowney was out with the case of the NFL’s, and USC was up 27-7 at the end of the third quarter. Still, only seven points?

The vide around South Carolina is not one that screams team unity. Clowney, a guy who is supposed to be the team leader, is giving the impression he is more concerned with his professional career than trying to put together the best season he can on the field. This may not be a fair criticism, but when you read quotes like the one from Steve Spurrier after the game it is hard not to think there is not something going in there.

"If Clowney “wants to play, we will welcome him to come play for the team if he wants,” Spurrier said. “But he if doesn’t want to play, he doesn’t have to play. Simple as that.”"

Teams with worse chemistry have won tons of games. However, it is going to be hard to bet on South Carolina when they go on the road to play Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri.

Fun stat from ESPN: Steve Spurrier is 20-1 against Kentucky in his career and is the only coach with 20 wins against one team.