Checking in on South Carolina’s temperature heading into October …

HEATING UP

On a team without a star, Pharoh Cooper’s heating up for the Gamecocks as the go-to threat in the passing game. Coming into the season, most thought Cooper would have a breakout year but would be South Carolina’s No. 2 option on the outside behind Shaq Roland. Roland, like he’s done much of his career, has struggled with consistency giving way to Cooper. He has great hands, gets yardage after the catch and has proven to keep defenses honest as a rushing threat in the Wildcat. Without this sophomore commodity who won the Vanderbilt game with a career-high 188 yards of total offense, South Carolina could be under .500 right now.

COOLING

Quarterback Dylan Thompson took a step back against Mizzou, but it wasn’t all his fault. The senior’s confidence was clearly shaken thanks to an injury-plagued offensive line that allowed constant pressure and a season-high four sacks against a defense that rarely blitzed. Spurrier admitted Thompson had an off game, but pointed much of the blame to him being ‘clobbered’ early. Since it appears South Carolina’s running game hasn’t yet returned to form, the spotlight continues to be on No. 17 and his ability to lead the offense.

BEGINNING TO THAW

South Carolina’s defense made progress its last time out, managing its best effort of the season against highly-rated quarterback Maty Mauk. The Gamecocks forced 10 punts and harassed Mauk throughout, but it wasn’t enough after the Tigers pieced together two late scoring drives to win the game. Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said post-game that his unit still must learn how to finish. They’ll get another shot Saturday night against pass-heavy Kentucky.

FREEZER-BURN

Eastern Division championship hopes after two home SEC losses. No one expected the Gamecocks to be 1-2 in the SEC — at home — before Oct. 1, but that’s where Steve Spurrier’s team is at the moment following a disappointing setback in the final two minutes to Mizzou over the weekend. There’s still a chance to win out and hold the tiebreaker over Georgia at 6-2, but now road trips to Auburn and Florida feel likes losses based on what we’ve seen from this team thus far. The Gamecocks are no longer in control of their own destiny and that’s been a damning element during three consecutive 6-2 East finishes without a trip to Atlanta. South Carolina can take some solace in the fact that its only division championship came in 2010 with three conference losses.