COLUMBIA - Getting past Vanderbilt wasn’t at all easy. But, hey, unlike the past two seasons, South Carolina did manage to beat the Commodores.

Now the Gamecocks, with yet another strong start, are entering the four-game stretch that will define their season.

It begins with trips to Tennessee and Arkansas. Both teams have 3-4 overall records, but they’ve been very competitive - even against the best teams in the league.

Knoxville is first for the 6-2 Gamecocks, who eased up to No. 21 in both polls.

“We’ve got to play much better against Tennessee,” said sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia, who was a passing yard shy (312) of his career high Saturday. “We’ve got to be a lot better to beat Tennessee.”

South Carolina is bowl-eligible for the sixth consecutive season, including each of Steve Spurrier’s five seasons.

“It’s a goal, I guess, but we’re trying to get whatever we can get and get to the highest bowl possible,” said Garcia, whose TD-to-INT ratio is now 11-to-4. “We’re not even close to being done yet.”

The Volunteers are the one team that Spurrier has made more consistent progress against in the SEC East. More than Florida and Georgia, anyway.

South Carolina is 2-2 against UT in his four previous seasons, including last season’s 27-6 victory in Columbia that was the last straw before Phillip Fulmer’s ouster.

Lane Kiffin came in with mouth ablazing.

The 34-year-old Kiffin has reserved more regular and potent zings for Florida, but he’s sent some jabs in the direction of the Gamecocks and Spurrier, as well.

The one that could have some impact in this game is Kiffin reportedly telling freshman receiver Alshon Jeffery, after he committed to the Gamecocks, that he’d wind up pumping gas like other former South Carolina players.

Kiffin has since denied saying that. Jeffery declined to talk about it Saturday night, after an eight-catch, 161-yard night that included the game-winning score in the fourth quarter.

When asked two different times Sunday about Kiffin - even in a very general way — Spurrier wasn’t exactly eager to talk about him.

“I don’t really concern myself with what the other teams do,” Spurrier said.

“I’m worried about the team I coach. That’s enough for me to concern myself with.”

This, of course, coming a week after Spurrier brought up, on his own, Alabama using white tape to mark its holds on field goals and extra points.

Spurrier was later asked if Kiffin’s outgoing style could be compared to how he started out at Florida.

Response?

“I don’t need to even talk about that,” he said. “What’s the next question?”

There was also that awkward exchange with Kiffin and Spurrier at the SEC spring meetings in Florida. So, stay tuned to see if Kiffin has anything to say about Spurrier, or if he takes the high road.

Kiffin fielded no questions Sunday about the Gamecocks.

Everyone was still talking about the blocked field goal at Alabama that could’ve toppled the then-No. 1 Tide.

Tennessee (3-4, 1-3 SEC) had two field goals blocked, and Daniel Lincoln left another one short, in a 12-10 loss in Tuscaloosa.

South Carolina was locked in a similarly low-scoring game, but the Gamecocks packed a lot of offense in their 14-10 victory against Vandy. They just didn’t have the points to go with the yards.

Garcia had his second career 300-yard day. Kenny Miles had his second 100-yard game in three outings. Jeffery was over 100 yards for the second time in three weeks, and he’s got 19 catches for 382 yards and four touchdowns since his breakout performance against Kentucky.

There’s still plenty to correct for the Gamecocks.

They allowed another kickoff return that went the length of the field. Well, 99 yards.

“That’s pretty ridiculous we let the guy run 100 yards there without anybody touching him,” Spurrier said.

And the defense, while it only allowed three points to the Vandy offense, wasn’t spectacular. Spurrier made note of two dropped interceptions, one of which could’ve put the game away.

Travel advisory

If you plan on going to Knoxville for the game, you’ll have to find a different route through (or around) the Great Smoky Mountains. Interstate 40 could be closed for months at the North Carolina-Tennessee line because of a rockslide.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks.

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