Spencer Rattler is in the fryer.

The college football fanaticals took to social media over the weekend to turn up the heat on Rattler for his horrible 1st-quarter interception that shifted Georgia’s attack into high gear last Saturday, and the rout sped into a full flame.

His ineffectiveness was further exploited when critics compared his performance to punter Kai Kroeger’s textbook 20-year completion on a fake punt.

Rattler’s bad day was highlighted by the team’s overall ineffectiveness and sluggishness in its 48-7 loss to the top-ranked Bulldogs. For example, the Gamecocks’ offensive line is currently ranked 13th out of 14 SEC units by Pro Football Focus. The failures of the line have kept Rattler on the move and placed a damper on the running game.

In addition, the lack of a pass rush and run defense through the first 3 weeks haven’t made it easier for him.

Head coach Shane Beamer confirmed that Rattler is the quarterback, and there won’t be any controversies ahead. He also noted there is plenty to fix with the rest of the team during the week

Still, let’s take a step back here.

South Carolina wanted an explosive-type quarterback with a big arm and the ability to take it to the next level. When it knew Rattler was coming, the fist pumps were in the air from Columbia to Bluffton.

He was viewed as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate who would raise the program to the next level. Yet his faults were well publicized — consistency and the tendency to throw the interception were his flaws at Oklahoma. The Heisman chatter has been temporarily silenced.

So his issues shouldn’t come as a surprise. USC fans got what they wanted. You have to take the bad with the good. Take a look at his Oklahoma resume, and you get the picture.

He looked like the quarterback messiah in the opener against Georgia State, and he rallied his troops until the very end against Arkansas. Rattler showed the ability to scramble and throw out of the pocket, as well as deliver some bullets downfield.

The early setback against Georgia set him and his team back. The way the Bulldogs have been playing, the Gamecocks were a deep longshot to stay within striking range, and their early fallout meant an early dinner for the USC faithful.

Rattler should recover against UNC Charlotte at home this weekend, even though their 49ers won their 1st game against Georgia State in a wild 42-41 shootout last weekend. He also can get back on track against South Carolina State the following week.

In 3 weeks, Rattler again could be a hot topic as one of the nation’s elite quarterbacks. Two big games in as many weeks will do it. Yet, he can only be as good as the obstacles that have to be cleaned up around him on both sides of the ball.

The fact that he had a bad game against the top team in the country won’t fade away anytime soon. It will still have a faint scent even if he has 2 stellar ones.

Don’t pass judgment yet. However, making an argument against his 2 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and 32.1 quarterback rating can be a tough one. His touchdowns rank him 101st, and his rating has him 108th.

If he posts similar numbers against UNC Charlotte and SC State, it likely will be time to take a long look. In Rattler’s defense, the problems with the offensive line that affects the running game have to be solved.

By Week 8, we will know if Rattler will be lifted from the heat and the sizzle.