Coach Spurrier looking at bowl bid for Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said the Gamecocks have plenty to play for, just not the championship goals they had entering the season.

South Carolina (4-4, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) was the preseason favorite to win the SEC East, yet saw those dreams slip away the first month of the season with losses to Texas A&M, Missouri and Kentucky. After falling 42-35 at No. 4 Auburn last Saturday night, Spurrier is simply looking to close strong enough to make the postseason.

South Carolina’s final stretch starts Saturday against Tennessee (3-5, 0-4). The last month also includes games at Florida and against state rival, No. 22 Clemson.

Spurrier said winning two of those contests to qualify for its seventh straight bowl is a worthy bar to shoot for this fall.