Five questions

After the past eight months, the South Carolina Gamecocks could use a fresh start.

A brief recap:

- Six players suspended after a melee in the Gamecocks' season-ending contest with rival Clemson.

- Demetris Summers, the team's leading rusher the past two seasons, was dismissed from the team, while backup Cory Boyd was suspended.

- Eleven players arrested.

- The school's admission to 10 NCAA violations under former coach Lou Holtz's reign.

The good news? The program begins with a clean slate this fall with one of the most talked-about off-season hires in offensive guru Steve Spurrier.

After an unsuccessful two-year stint in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, the former Florida coach returns to the SEC.

The South Carolina faithful are hoping he'll transform the program into a national power.

Here are five questions to ponder before the Gamecocks begin their season Thursday against Central Florida:

1. Can Spurrier lead South Carolina to the promised land?

Spurrier is known in college football ranks as a rebuilder after turning around programs at Duke and Florida. He compiled a 142-40-2 mark, with a national championship and eight conference titles in 15 seasons with those schools.

South Carolina has the resources and the fan support for Spurrier to be successful. But the Gamecocks will have to start recruiting better players before they make any strides.

2. Will a dependable quarterback emerge to lead the Gamecocks offense?

Reshirt freshman Antonio Heffner and redshirt sophomore Blake Mitchell were the top quarterbacks entering fall practice.

Mitchell, rated one of the top quarterbacks in the nation while in high school at LaGrange, Ga., played sparingly last season. He completed 12 of 23 passes in the spring practice and was named the starter by Spurrier.

Spurrier said he was impressed with Mitchell's work ethic during the summer. Don't be surprised, though, if the Gamecocks have a quarterback carousel throughout the season.

3. Is Daccus Turman the No. 1 option at running back?

Turman, the Georgia high school single-season rushing record holder, was listed as the team's No. 1 tailback in the spring even before Boyd was suspended for the season.

Turman rushed for 185 yards in 2004, but should see plenty of playing time this season, even in Spurrier's pass-happy offense. At Florida, several running backs, including NFL standouts Fred Taylor and Errict Rhett, thrived under Spurrier's system. Turman could become one of the biggest surprises in the SEC.

4. Who will replace all-SEC wide receiver Troy Williamson?

The Gamecocks have no one to replace the first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings. Williamson possessed blazing speed and game- breaking ability.

Syvelle Newton and Noah Whiteside will try to fill the gap left by Williamson. Newton moved from wide receiver in 2003 to quarterback in 2004 and back to wide receiver this year. He caught 22 passes his freshman season, and he's expected to start alongside Whiteside, a junior.

Whiteside, the team's third- leading receiver in 2004, suffered a serious ankle injury in the spring game. He is expected to return this fall.

Redshirt freshman Sidney Rice and redshirt sophomore D'Von Hill impressed in the spring game and should see significant playing time.

5. Can the Gamecocks break their losing spells to either Florida or Tennessee this season?

Name the last time South Carolina defeated the Gators or Volunteers. Give up? The Gamecocks last knocked off Tennessee in 1992. It marked South Carolina's second victory ever over the Knoxville, Tenn., school.

South Carolina has had a little more success against Florida, with three wins in the series. However, the Gamecocks' last win against the Gators came in 1939.

The Gamecocks are likely to be heavy underdogs to the Vols and Gators this year as well. But fans are expecting Spurrier to lead his squad to victories over those SEC East rivals in the coming years, a benchmark of a program on the rise.

- Chris Gay