We tailgated in an exclusive spot next to Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday. Many nearby lots were empty and attendance, for the first time in my five trips there, was not at capacity. A longtime fan said this was because UF was not a ranked team and complained that the Gamecocks lost to UT because of "poor coaching."

Only this supporter's generosity as a host kept me from spewing my beverage all over him in laughter. Until Spurrier's arrival in Columbia, a Gator loss to the Gamecocks was never feared--even when behind by three scores in the first quarter. SOS is now 4-5 against UF and nearly won a couple more in 2006 and 2009.

Now, South Carolina is relevant nationally every season and has a chance to win the SEC East for the second time since the Gators last appeared in Atlanta. To hear Gamecocks complaining about imperfection and see attendance drop due to higher expectations amidst sustained success cracked me up. Spurrier has done it again.