[Editor's note: This series presents teams in order of the value each team would add to a conference hypothetical near the boarder of the criteria used by the BCS to determine future automatic qualifications. It is not a predictive measure of the 2010 season.]

The South Carolina Gamecocks left the ACC to try independence in the mid 70's. In the late 80's independence went out of vogue and the 12 team conference emerged. An offer by the SEC was enough to draw South Carolina back into a conference.

South Carolina has fared slightly better then Arkansas since joining the SEC, though the gap appears to be disappearing as it is down to a single spot in this look at the BCS automatic qualification data over the past three years. This is despite USC hiring prominent college coaches in Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier.

Winning Bowl games would be a welcome change too.

I am not sure the relevance to the present discussion, but persistent rumors suggest that South Carolina and Oregon State have been trying to forge a back and forth series for years, but Southern California keeps getting in the way.

Head Coach: Steve Spurrier (Sixth Year)
Offensive Running Game Coordinator: Shawn Elliott? (First Year)
Defensive Coordinator: Lorenzo Ward (Second Year)

It will always be Steve Spurrier's offense, wherever he goes.

BCS numbers:

Well, they certainly have the six losses down pat.

Schedule: Strength #5 (Tie, 4 teams)

I see another season near bowl eligibility, on one side or the other.