COLUMBIA --- Steve Spurrier says South Carolina is focused and ready to play Southern Miss, no matter how often he's asked about potential NCAA problems.
"Those issues are not as big as a distraction as some people think," Spurrier said.
Even so, they have dogged Spurrier, his staff and players throughout the summer.
The Gamecocks already enter tonight's opener against Southern Miss minus suspended standout tight end Weslye Saunders, who's been at the center of NCAA inquiries for possible agent contact.
He was among several South Carolina players asked by Spurrier to move out of a local hotel.
Golden Eagles coach Larry Fedora said he hears all the time from people speculating on who his team may or may not face at Williams-Brice Stadium.
But "it's one of those things that I have no control over and it's probably not going to affect anything that we do," Fedora said. "We've had our work cut out for us getting ourselves ready and prepared."
Spurrier has said Saunders told him he did not violate NCAA rules.
The coach also said that Saunders' suspension was not connected to the NCAA probe. Still, it's been a humbling experience for Spurrier -- famous for jabbing at colleagues over rule breaking.
"It is the first time in my coaching career that we have had sort of these kind of issues," Spurrier said. "I realize now how they can happen."
Spurrier said last week that the NCAA typically suspends a player a game or two for such extra-benefit violations.
The Gamecocks will accept any penalties, he said, and move on.
Right now, Spurrier's expecting everyone to play as he attempts to add to his opening week win streak of 17 consecutive seasons as a college coach
Spurrier did bring some clarity to one issue Wednesday -- junior Stephen Garcia will open at quarterback.
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