South Carolina is at a crossroads at the quarterback position as the coaching staff opened up the competition this week after Collin Hill struggled in a 48-3 loss to Texas A&M.

So as the Gamecocks sit at 2-4, and are set to travel to Ole Miss this week, how come coach Will Muschamp and staff decided to make the decision now?

“Well, we had been pretty productive earlier in the year,” Muschamp said. “We had more than 150 yards earlier in the year, in a ballgame. I think we lacked a spark on Saturday to get things going and sometimes the change up is at that position. That position can affect more people than any other position on the offensive side of the ball with the way we’re structured offensively. … Moving forward, competition can hopefully provide that spark.”

Muschamp agreed that the Gamecocks need to support the quarterback by having a second wide receiver step up to support Shi Smith, and the running game to be more consistent. He noted that the Gamecocks averaged eight yards per play against LSU.

Muschamp said he wouldn’t make the QB decision about Hill or Ryan Hilinski until at least Friday’s walk through. Luke Doty also has a special package of plays.

“Ryan and Collin have been getting the reps in I guess you’d say our mainstay offense in what we do,” Muschamp said. “It’s been a very competitive room, on and off the field in my opinion. Both guys I think are great for each other. Both guys interact well together. Both guys share information very well together. Both guys want South Carolina to be successful and win and they both want to be the starting quarterback and only one guy can play. But both guys are talented and we can win with both.”