Gamecocks Assistant HC says the SEC is going to be just as Tough

The Gamecocks have become a trendy pick to challenge Florida in the SEC East this season.
And while USC assistant head coach for defense Ellis Johnson believes preseason polls and rankings are good for stirring up fan interest, he is not sure they’re worth more than the paper they’re printed on.
“It really doesn’t mean anything. Everybody said Florida, Georgia and Tennessee are in turmoil. All of them had top-10 classes in recruiting (Rivals had Georgia 15th). Who you kidding?” Johnson said. “We’re going to have to tie it up and get ready to go every time we play in this conference. Just because somebody else has a problem in the kitchen, we think we’re all going to catch up with them. We’ve got our own problems we’ve got to worry about.”
Johnson said USC’s defense has the potential to be better than the 2009 unit that finished third in the SEC and 15th nationally in yards allowed. But with 14 years of SEC experience, Johnson knows how well the Gamecocks must play to contend.
“This conference never goes backwards. You’re always trying to keep up with the front dogs,” he said. “It’s going to be as tough as ever.”