Here are five takeaways from South Carolina’s Week 10 loss to Tennessee, one that damaged the Gamecocks’ bowl hopes:

  • Heads will roll on the coaching staff after the season. At some point, there has to be a fall guy for what’s transpired on the defensive side of the football this fall. Three sizable leads blown in the fourth quarter, tackling you’d see on a pee wee field … it all adds up to an embarrassing effort on defense and throwaway of a season that started with such high aspirations. Personnel issues aside, the Gamecocks have appeared lost for the duration, unsure of where to be and what to do against opposing offenses. Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward admitted Saturday night that he had no answers. Not a good sign.
  • Another elite offensive performance wasted. The game we all love can be cruel at times. In five losses this season, the Gamecocks are averaging 32.6 points per game. Against the Vols, South Carolina managed 625 yards of total offense — a statline featuring a record-setting receiving performance from Pharoh Cooper — but a couple late punts, fourth-down conversions and two sacks in overtime led to its third consecutive SEC home loss. Brandon Wilds rushed for a season-high 143 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries, but his outing — and potential win-clinching 70-yard scamper in the fourth quarter — was forgotten.
  • Bowl hopes severely damaged. At 4-5 with road games remaining against Florida and Clemson, can the Gamecocks get to the six win mark? It’s going to be a challenge considering the Gators found new life on Saturday with a win over Georgia and the Tigers’ have won five straight since starting the season 1-2. Freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson will return in time for the South Carolina game as well.
  • Defensive line falters. No push and zero production. South Carolina’s front four has been atrocious this fall, standing in place at times against the Vols who came into the game with the SEC’s worst offensive line. The Gamecocks managed a couple tackles-for-loss and no sacks as Joshua Dobbs shredded the South Carolina defense for five total touchdowns including three in the final quarter to tie things up.
  • Steve Spurrier’s postgame refusal reflects frustration. Coaching hasn’t been enjoyable for the Head Ball Coach this season. When his offense is moving the football and scoring points, his defense hasn’t stopped the opposition. When his unit struggles, the defense continues to give up big plays. That combination’s led to five losses, the most during Spurrier’s tenure in Columbia at this point of the season. Answering postgame questions is a part of the job — and he’s getting paid $4 million per year to do so — but Saturday night’s acceptance of defeat and early split was a career lowpoint for a man who appears to be nearing the end.