Will the real South Carolina please stand up?

Earlier this week, I labeled the Gamecocks as the current Eastern Division favorite in our SEC Debate series, dismissing glaring defensive mishaps as a product of new starters learning how to gel as a unit.

Those struggles are instead deep-rooted and aren’t going away, noticeable again during Saturday’s 48-34 win at Vanderbilt. Here are some difficult-to-stomach takeaways for a team perceived as a preseason Top 10.

  • SOUTH CAROLINA BADLY NEEDS AN ENFORCER ON DEFENSE: Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Swearinger, Melvin Ingram. Those are a few former enforcers on respected defenses who provided the Gamecocks with an identity on that side of the football. No star has risen on this year’s unit, a guy who can help take over a game in key situations or on third down. Against the pass, South Carolina’s often looked like zombies, unsure where to be or who to cover. Skai Moore and Sharrod Golightly fit the mold of leaders, but neither has shown enough consistency this fall to warrant the enforcer title.
  • IT’S OBVIOUS MIKE DAVIS ISN’T HEALTHY: Withdrawn from Heisman candidacy after a couple quiet outings, the Gamecocks’ standout running back hasn’t looked like himself outside of a 36-yard touchdown run against East Carolina and managed just 4.8 yards per carry against the Commodores. He’s not exploding into the second level or bouncing off would-be tacklers like he did during the 2013 campaign. Could a nagging rib injury be a primary hindrance? Is the ankle that he rolled against Georgia at full strength? Whatever the case, South Carolina needs No. 28 to return to form before a pivotal stretch starting with next weekend’s home game against Mizzou.
  • WIDE RECEIVERS HAVE EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS: The fact that Shaq Roland is likely this offense’s third-best receiving option this season reflects its depth at the position. Pharoh Cooper and Nick Jones provide the Gamecocks with an ideal blend of speed, athleticism and sure-handedness for pass-first quarterback Dylan Thompson. Threats on short, intermediate and deep routes, the trio’s joined by solid tight ends Rory Anderson and Jerell Adams. Cooper set a career-high for receiving yards and catches against Vanderbilt and added a 70-yard burst on the ground.
  • GAMECOCKS’ HUSTLE PLAYS GO UNNOTICED: It won’t show up in the box score but Adams’ fumble recovery in the third quarter after Jones was lifted into the air was huge for South Carolina. Three Vanderbilt players appeared to fall on the football before Adams’ big mits wrestled it away at the bottom of the pile. Damiere Byrd added a heads up play in third quarter as well when he punched a ball out of a Vanderbilt player’s hands after he appeared to recover a fumble near the sideline.
  • STEVE SPURRIER’S RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE: We haven’t seen much vintage Spurrier since South Carolina’s first East title in 2010 thanks to the 33 wins that followed, but he’s back and more aggressive than ever, placing this season’s blame on everyone associated with the football team after multiple frustrating outings. He’s always been entertaining when venting, but Spurrier appears to be on the verge of an all-time meltdown with another uninspiring effort, or worse — a road loss to Kentucky in a few weeks.