Will one of college football’s biggest underachievers defensively last season show up in 2015?

Steve Spurrier won’t know until he’s had time to digest the first few games this month beginning with Thursday’s showdown in Charlotte against one of the best offenses the Gamecocks will face this season.

The Head Ball Coach isn’t sure what to expect out of a reworked unit spearheaded by new assistant Jon Hoke heading into the opener.

“We’re a little different than last year. We’re more anxious to see what we’ve got,” Spurrier said this week. “We thought we had a lot last year, but ended up not having that much in some areas. So we’ve hopefully been awakened from year to the next.”

RELATED: It’s Jon Hoke vs. Gene Chizik on defense Thursday night

Spurrier’s right. South Carolina had very little to work with last season from a personnel standpoint on defense.

The pass rush was non-existent, contributing a league-low 14 sacks which was the lowest total during Spurrier’s tenure, and the Gamecocks gave up more points and total yardage than anyone on staff thought was possible for a preseason Top 10 team.

A blowout loss to Texas A&M in the opener gave us a glimpse into what became season-long frustrations on Lorenzo Ward’s side of the ball, which forced Spurrier’s hand in the offseason with the addition of Hoke.

Thursday’s foe North Carolina stresses tempo with quick throws — a recipe for the destruction of the Gamecocks’ revised scheme if tackling struggles linger.

“Hopefully we can line up, be in position and tackle a whole lot better than we did last year,” Spurrier told Paul Finebaum on Monday. “Basically, that’s what it all comes down to — lining up, playing physical, technique and playing your assignment. It’s going to be interesting watching both defenses in this game.”

Linebacker Skai Moore led the team in tackles for a second straight season last fall, but the Gamecocks lacked an aggressive standout who teams knowingly game-planned against offensively. South Carolina’s defense has always had that player over the last several years whether it was Melvin Ingram, Jadeveon Clowney or D.J. Swearinger.

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Though he didn’t mention him by name, Spurrier believes JUCO transfer and first-team defensive end Marquavius Lewis could be that guy this season. Lewis was South Carolina’s defensive MVP during spring practice and has had a fantastic fall camp from published reports.

“We think we’ve got one guy here who can really rush that nobody knows about,” Spurrier said earlier this week. “He wasn’t on the team last year. If he doesn’t show up, I shouldn’t say anything. But maybe he’ll show up in the ballgame.”

North Carolina welcomes back 10 starters on offense, including senior quarterback Marquis Williams who shattered several single-season records last fall as the Tar Heels’ chief playmaker. Williams has a veteran offensive line to protect him and several skilled wide receivers South Carolina must account for on the outside.

North Carolina ranked second in the ACC in passing yards per game (278.4) last season and managed a league-best 29 touchdown passes. By comparison, the Gamecocks struggled against the pass defensively, giving up 118 completions spanning 10 or more yards — the most in the Eastern Division.

South Carolina’s depth chart revealed a couple noticeable changes in the secondary from last season. Chaz Elder moved from safety to cornerback to make room for Kansas transfer Isaiah Johnson. Both Elder and Johnson will be in the spotlight Thursday night trying to combat the Tar Heels’ tempo.

“It’s a challenge because they’re fast to the ball,” Hoke said, according to Spurs & Feathers. “You have to get lined up, so it’ll be a challenge. I’m just excited to see (our guys) play. Football is an exciting game.

“We’re all fortunate to be coaching it and our coaching staff has great passion for it, so yeah, we’re excited to see them play.”