Spencer Rattler looks ahead to SEC Media Days, season opener vs. UNC
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler has experienced leading the Gamecocks out of the tunnel to 2001 and to victory on the field. Soon, he’ll get the chance to represent the school as one of three Gamecocks at SEC Media Days, next week’s latest edition of the annual media bonanza.
The Gamecocks quarterback joined GamecockCentral earlier this week for a wide-ranging discussion in the latest of his Garnet Trust series of exclusives.
“It’s a blessing that I get to go up there and represent SC,” Rattler said of media days. “Obviously, I’ve watched SEC Media Days the last year or two and seen other leagues’ media days. So I have a pretty good understanding (of what to expect) and I’m just looking forward to it.”
But “talking season” will soon transform into preseason and that into football season as the Gamecocks open Year 3 of the Shane Beamer era with a familiar foe in a familiar venue.
The latest version of South Carolina vs. North Carolina, again at Bank of America Stadium, this time on Sept. 2 and serving as the Duke’s Mayo Classic, will almost certainly be billed as a battle of quarterbacks with Rattler dueling with projected first-round pick Drake Maye.
While Rattler did not mention Maye by name, there’s no doubt each signal-caller is aware of the other.
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“So excited, so excited,” Rattler said when asked of the season getting started. “I mean, this is a year for all of us to prove something. A lot of people still don’t believe in what we’re doing over here. It’s up to us to go change their minds. But at the same time, we’re focused on what we do, how we work, and how we can play at the highest level. Obviously, we’re focused on game one up in Charlotte versus UNC. That’s a big game, nationally televised, with two big teams going against each other. It’s going to be showtime.”
In a perfect world, every opponent will receive the same amount of attention, with coaches around the country striving for consistency week-in, week-out.
But there’s certainly an argument to be made that there’s the opportunity to create a greater sense of urgency during the preseason with no gimmes on the front end of the schedule and a Top 25 opponent waiting right off the bat.
“No matter who the opponent is, we have the same mindset. But obviously, we’re South Carolina, and they’re North Carolina. I’m pretty sure it’s a sort of a rivalry for sure, especially from the Mayo Bowl. They’ve got a good quarterback, and our defense will have to contain. We know they have guys on the defensive end. It’s going to be a fun game, and we’re looking forward to it. We want to go out there and execute on a high level. However, we’re still in summer ball, still grinding, and still focusing on us. North Carolina will be in our minds here soon.”
