Is this pivotal year for Spurrier?

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At 63 years of age, South Carolina's Steve Spurrier has earned the right to walk away from football and spend his time walking over the hilly landscape of a golf course.With a national championship on his resume and a well-earned reputation as an offensive genius, there is nothing more to prove.Or is there?Spurrier came to Columbia hoping to do what Lou Holtz did, only better -- he wouldn't just turn the program around, and he would turn the Gamecocks into champions.For half of the 2007 season it looked as though the time had come.Through seven games USC was 6-1, ranked No. 6 in the nation and had the SEC East division title seemingly in its grasp.We all know what happened after Carolina defeated North Carolina.Spurrier's charges wouldn't win again, ending the season with a five-game skid to finish 6-6 -- bowl eligible but not bowl worthy.And while the phrase "make-or-break" should probably never be used in the same sentence where Spurrier's name appears, 2008 is crucial. It's crucial for the program, and it's crucial for Darth Visor.Prior to the 2007 season, Spurrier said South Carolina was ready to compete for league honors, and didn't back off that statement until his team forgot how to win. Later, he would admit he overestimated where the program was, and how far it still had to go.Yes, there were injuries and the closing schedule (at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Florida and Clemson at home) was brutal, but fans don't want excuses and Spurrier won't offer up any. When he roams the sidelines, expectations are always going to be high.That being the case, what should we expect from the Gamecocks next fall?They return 54 lettermen and 16 of 22 starters -- including 10 on defense. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson is now in charge of the attack crew, which lost the ability to stop the run in 2007.Only one starter was lost on the offensive line, but once again Spurrier will be trying to find consistency at the quarterback spot. Blake Mitchell is gone, leaving the job to Tommy Beecher, Chris Smelley or a combination thereof. You can pencil out problem child Stephan Garcia, who has been suspended until mid-August and might never wear a Gamecocks uniform.Mike Davis will have to carry the rushing load in place of the graduated Cory Boyd, but the receiving corps looks solid, led by Kenny McKinley.On paper, South Carolina looks like a Top 25 team. Unfortunately, games against Georgia, Florida, LSU, Tennessee and Clemson aren't played on paper. And with the Bulldogs expected to compete for a national crown and the Gators and Volunteers also SEC East contenders, the Gamecocks are going to have to be scary-good just to keep pace.If they do, Spurrier will know his program has turned the corner.If they don't, the Head Ball Coach might start thinking less about chasing a championship and more about chasing that little white ball.(Scott Adamson writes for the Anderson Independent-Mail in Anderson, S.C.)