South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has a relaxed, folksy way about him. He doesn't hold press conferences, but rather engages with reporters in conversation like he was talking to some friends. Yet in the weeks leading up to the Gamecocks Jan. 1 showdown with Michigan, Spurrier would grow serious when confronted with USC's most recent trip to the Outback Bowl, a 31-10 loss to Iowa.

"It's embarrassing the way we played," said Spurrier, who won a national title at Florida in 1996. "You can accept a loss when you play smart, play disciplined and play to your ability but we didn't do any of that that day. It was a lousy day, but we're a different team.

"We came in with a 7-5 record that year having lost to Clemson, but this year we come in with some momentum; we've won our last four, but we're playing a very good Michigan team. It's the first time I've had a chance to go against them. I think it will be a heck of game."



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