(WLTX) - Steve Spurrier says he thinks he's got a team that can win the SEC title this year.
Spurrier spoke Tuesday afternoon on live TV with ESPN's Chris Fowler.
Before talking Gamecocks football, Fowler asked Spurrier about the story that's dominated sports: the Penn State scandal and penalty.
Spurrier said he didn't think he was the best person to comment, because of the severity of the situation. "Obviously [it's] a horrific set of events has happened there."
Media reports say some coaches already have begun actively recruiting Nittany Lions players, but Spurrier says he and his staff aren't.
As for Carolina, Spurrier expressed pride in where the program stands, and pointed to the football team's highest ever graduation rate and its best in the SEC grade point average as proof of performance. He says that commitment to overall improvement is helping on the field.
"We're doing all the little things the right way," he said.
After an 11-2 season last year--the most single-season wins in program history--the head ball coach thinks his team could meet fans' lofty expectation for this season.
"Our goal is to win the SEC. I think maybe we've assembled a team...that's capable."
He admits they have a difficult schedule, including back to back games versus LSU and Florida--but then again, it's always tough in the league.
Luckily, he'll have one of his main offensive weapons back: Marcus Lattimore. A severe knee injury kept him on the sidelines for about half the season in 2011.
"Our trainer says he should be 100 percent when we come back."
He also said he's pleased with who'll be under center.
"Connor[ Shaw, USC's starting quarterback], he's a good leader...he's just all football, going to class, and doing the right things."
USC begins fall practice August 3rd.