Historically-daunting schedule awaits USC

Look at the rest of the 2009 schedule, and if it seems like the No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks have been here before it’s because they have.

Since 2002, USC has ended its regular season with Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and Clemson five times. That daunting schedule has culminated in a 6-15 record the last four games in those five years.

It’s hard to believe the Gamecocks could ever look forward to this kind of finish.

Tennessee has flat out owned USC with a 21-4-2 record all-time. The Vols, USC’s opponent Saturday, are 13-1 at Neyland Stadium against the Gamecocks with the only loss coming in a 16-15 USC win in 2005.

Arkansas is USC’s constant opponent from the SEC West and has given the Gamecocks fits, holding a 10-7 overall record against them since they both joined the league in 1992.

Florida is, well, No. 1 Florida and owns a 22-4-3 record against South Carolina and has never lost to it in Gainesville. The defending champs are one of the best and most dominant programs in the country this decade.

And then there’s Clemson, the same team that has won 10 of the last 12 rivalry meetings. Enough said.

“We should be pretty even with Arkansas and Tennessee,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “Our record’s a little better than both those teams. But some years, these last four teams certainly have been better than South Carolina. But anyway, we go one at a time and this week’s Tennessee game, and really that’s all we talk about. One game at a time.”

I’ve seen and heard many people predict that USC won’t win another game this season and will wind up playing in a lower-tier bowl.

Based on history, that certainly looks the case.

USC lost to all four in 2002 to finish 5-7, just one win away from postseason eligibility. Two years later, the Gamecocks were 5-2 but lost three out of the last four in blowouts and were not invited to a bowl.

The 2005 season was the only year when the Gamecocks actually finished with a 3-2 record that culminated with a trip to the Independence Bowl in Spurrier’s first season.

Two years ago, USC was No. 15 in the country sporting a 6-2 overall record — the same as this season — but lost four consecutive games and didn’t go to a bowl. It was one of the most disappointing seasons in Spurrier’s career.

Last year, South Carolina got past Arkansas and Tennessee in a down year for both programs but lost miserably to the Gators, Tigers and in the bowl game to Iowa.

How will this time be any different?

The Gamecocks have preached all season about the “New Carolina” attitude and how they don’t dwell on the past.

And putting up a winning record the last four games would definitely change the image that USC is full of fail down the stretch.