If you expected Steve Spurrier retirement rumors to be put to bed this season, you could be incredibly disappointed by the end of October.

Oddly enough, South Carolina’s lackluster 2014 campaign hit rock bottom around the same time following the Gamecocks’ overtime loss at home to Tennessee on Nov. 1, the team’s fourth defeat in a five-game span.

The onslaught of doubters concerning the future of the program reached new highs, sending a ripple effect throughout the locker room which led to an often miffed Head Ball Coach at the podium.

After three consecutive 11-win seasons pushed the program into a different stratosphere, the fall was monumental. Spurrier lost the pep in his step and appeared frustrated, admitting as much after the season.

RELATED: 2015 SEC’s toughest schedule stretches

The lack of overall talent on defense was an obvious issue that South Carolina tried to address during the offseason, welcoming several first-year pass rushers to an anemic front line including top-rated JUCO end Marquavius Lewis.

But will the influx of new faces along with a major personnel change on the defensive staff matter in 2015? Are the Gamecocks headed toward their first losing season during Spurrier’s tenure?

The offshore sportsbook 5Dimes has South Carolina’s over-under win total at seven this season, the lowest preseason number since 2008 when the Gamecocks were coming off a 6-6 season the previous year. Much of that has to do with the Gamecocks playing the SEC’s toughest non-conference schedule this fall, along with road games at potential nationally-ranked league teams Georgia, Mizzou, Texas A&M and Tennessee.

Early lines indicate South Carolina as a 7.5-point favorite over North Carolina in the season opener on Sept. 3, but over their final 11 games this season, the Gamecocks will likely be an underdog six times.

South Carolina’s 2015 schedule (*projected underdog)

  • Sept. 3, vs. North Carolina (Charlotte)
  • Sept. 12, vs. Kentucky
  • *Sept. 19, at Georgia (Preseason East favorite)
  • Sept. 26, vs. UCF
  • *Oct. 3, at Mizzou (Two-time defending East champ)
  • *Oct. 10, vs. LSU (West contender)
  • Oct. 17, vs. Vanderbilt
  • *Oct. 31, at Texas A&M
  • *Nov. 7, at Tennessee (East contender)
  • Nov. 14, vs. Florida
  • Nov. 21, vs. The Citadel
  • *Nov. 28, vs. Clemson (ACC contender)

To avoid the cataclysmic 5-7, starting the season with consecutive wins as favorites is essential prior to 2015’s first road trip. After Georgia, the Gamecocks play the first of four straight games against bowl teams from last season before a breather against Vanderbilt (which was anything but last fall).

Then comes a season-defining stretch following the bye week. If the Gamecocks don’t at least split back-to-back road matchups in College Station and Knoxville, South Carolina could be facing a 4-5 record against Florida on Nov. 14. Last season in the same situation, the Gamecocks won that game and finished 6-6 prior to bowl season.

A loss to the Gators at home this fall means the home finale against Dabo Swinney’s Tigers could be the difference between an extended holiday break or a 13th game.

Either way, talks of Spurrier’s imminent departure will once again dominate late-season storylines if the Gamecocks succumb to one of the East’s toughest slates.