This article originally appeared with The Red & Black on July 7, 2015 and can be found here.

The South Carolina Gamecocks entered the 2014 season as the favorites in the Southeastern Conference’s East division and left with six losses and a fifth-place finish. Fresh off the team’s worst season since 2009, head coach Steve Spurrier must prepare for another slate of tough games.

The Gamecocks’ biggest issue last season came on defense. The problems were apparent from the opening game of the season, a 52-28 loss to Texas A&M which featured 680 yards by the Aggies’ offense. When the season was over, South Carolina finished 92nd in the country by allowing 432.7 yards per game.

These numbers prompted a change on the coaching staff. Lorenzo Ward is no longer the sole defensive coordinator, as Spurrier hired Jon Hoke, who served as his defensive coordinator at Florida from 1999 to 2001. Hoke and Ward benefit from having eight returning starters from 2014, but with an opening game against North Carolina, the duo will learn quickly if these adjustments worked.

There is also plenty of change in South Carolina’s offense in 2015. The Gamecocks lost seven starters from one year ago, including their leading passer, rusher and four of their five best receivers.

South Carolina is yet to name a replacement for Dylan Thompson. Redshirt sophomore Connor Mitch is the presumed favorite, but he has only attempted six passes at the collegiate level, which came against Furman and South Alabama. A pro-style quarterback who was a four-star prospect according to ESPN.com, Mitch shows an ease in his deep throws that is rare. Spurrier is known as a college quarterback guru, and it looks like he found a solid three-year starter in Mitch.

Mike Davis’ departure to the NFL leaves uncertainty at tailback, an uncommon question for South Carolina in recent seasons. Senior Brandon Wilds and redshirt sophomore David Williams are fighting for the starting tailback position. Wilds rushed for 570 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, while Williams averaged 5.7 yards per carry and racked up 110 rushing yards against Furman. Although it’s unclear who holds the upper hand, South Carolina seems prepared to use both players a great deal.

Junior wide receiver Pharoh Cooper stands as the only proven commodity in the Gamecocks’ receiving corps. Last year Cooper became South Carolina’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Alshon Jeffery did it in 2010. The problem for Cooper in 2015 is defensive coordinators know his capabilities, which will draw double teams and assignments from the best defensive backs. With Nick Jones, Shaq Roland and Damiere Byrd gone, South Carolina needs Alshon’s brother Shamier, redshirt freshman Deebo Samuel and senior Carlton Heard to fill the void.

Spurrier has been the Gamecocks head coach since 2005, which means he’s nearly matched his 12-year run at Florida. At 70 years old, it’s unclear how much longer the former Heisman Trophy winner plans to coach. While the golf course is always an appealing alternative, don’t expect Spurrier to exit on a sour note.

The main concern for the Gamecocks in 2014 was finishing in the second half. South Carolina blew three double-digit leads in 2014, losing matchups with Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee after dismal fourth quarter performances. Flipping those three games from losses to the win column would have meant a 10-3 season and a trip to the SEC Championship game for the second time in school history.

South Carolina has a legitimate chance to be a darkhorse in the East division this season. While many expect another mediocre campaign from the Gamecocks, underestimating Spurrier’s teams is something that almost never works out.