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If you visit uscsports.com, they have a countdown to kickoff, ticking off the remaining time until new coach Steve Spurrier takes the field against Central Florida.
At the time this column was written, the ticker read 37 days, two hours, 56 minutes and 37 seconds.
To those eagerly awaiting the new ball coach's debut, this amount of time no doubt seems like an eternity. But for Spurrier, it's 37 days, two hours, 56 minutes and 37 seconds he has to implement his offensive scheme and ensure that his team is in pristine condition.
Among the things Spurrier can do with this remaining time:
Make a decision on Cory Boyd - The junior tailback, one of the more versatile players at Spurrier's disposal, was suspended indefinitely by Spurrier for an unspecified violation of team rules.
Whether Boyd lines up in the backfield Sept. 1 will be critical in how the offense runs.
Find a quarterback he can trust - Spurrier's predecessor, Lou Holtz, was always quick to point out that having three or four quarterbacks on a team capable of starting any given game meant the team had three or four mediocre signal callers.
While Spurrier has a history of coaching great quarterbacks, one has yet to emerge in the "fun 'n' gun" mold for the Gamecocks. As of now, Blake Mitchell is the expected starter.
Convince his players to forget about the past - Holtz stepped down with a sour taste in his mouth following three consecutive mediocre seasons with no bowl appearances.
If ever there was a man to instill a winning attitude in a program, it would be Spurrier, winner of six SEC championships and a national title at Florida. Numerous off-season arrests and other team problems have left the Gamecocks with a black eye that Spurrier would like to quickly do away with.
Play 222.75 rounds of golf - Hey, with a passion for the game as strong as Spurrier's and the headaches of revamping a program on the downside, this is a viable option for Spurrier.
While Spurrier might love golf, it's safe to say the majority of his attention these days is focused towards his football program. New Athletics Director Eric Hyman appears to be excited about sharing his "freshman" season with a living legend.
With many intriguing questions, the 2005 football season promises not to be dull. If only there wasn't a 37-day, 2-hour, 30-minute and 15-second-wait for some answers.
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