.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Steve Spurrier wasn't so sure about one goal his team captains brought to his attention during the preseason.
South Carolina players thought they could go undefeated at Williams-Brice Stadium for the first time since 1987.
''I said, 'You know we play Alabama here, don't you?''' Spurrier recalled Tuesday.
With two games left at Williams-Brice, the 18th-ranked Gamecocks (6-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) have been as strong at they thought they would be. They toppled Georgia in September, then No. 1 Alabama and Tennessee here in October - a trio of victories Spurrier knows stands out in South Carolina's so-so football history.
And Spurrier wants the Gamecocks focused on that achievement against No. 17 Arkansas this week, not on winning the SEC Eastern Division - an accomplishment that most likely will come down to a showdown at The Swamp against Florida on Nov. 13.
A win over the Razorbacks (6-2, 3-2) would make South Carolina perfect against SEC opponents at home, something that's never happened since the school joined the league in 1992.
''That would be neat if that were to happen,'' Spurrier said. ''That's one of our goals. So this week has got tremendous importance.''
Plus, it keeps the players from peeking ahead to next week when they get a chance at their first SEC championship appearance when they go against Florida.
The Gamecocks are the SEC East's only two-loss team and could wrap up a spot in the Georgia Dome with a win over Arkansas and a loss by the Gators at Vanderbilt, a scenario Spurrier knows is unlikely.
''I guess stranger things have happened,'' said Spurrier, the former Florida Heisman Trophy winner and national championship coach.
South Carolina fans on sports talk radio have even suggested resting Gamecocks stars such as receiver Alshon Jeffery and tailback Marcus Lattimore against Arkansas to avoid injuries before the Florida game.
Don't expect that to happen, either, Jeffery said.
''We're just focused on keeping on winning,'' said the SEC leader in receiving yards and touchdowns. ''We're going into each week wanting to finish these last four or five games strong.''
That's something that hasn't always happened.
The Gamecocks have been 6-2 two of the previous three seasons under Spurrier, yet haven't advanced past seven wins in those years. Spurrier wants South Carolina to take advantage of any chance to win, no matter whether it helps win the SEC East or not.
''Shoot, even winning eight, nine games in a season is miraculous here, as you guys know,'' Spurrier said. ''So, we're going to line up and play for it every week.''
Arkansas and star quarterback Ryan Mallett are second in the country at more than 360 yards a game through the air. Mallett threw for a career-high 409 yards in a 49-14 victory over Vanderbilt last week.
Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino understands his team will face a bigger test this week against a squad that could match them drive for drive.
''They have one of the best receivers in the league and one of the best running backs in the league, production wise,'' Petrino said. ''We have a great challenge defensively.''
South Carolina tight end Patrick DiMarco, a team captain, acknowledged the difficultly of putting SEC title thoughts aside.
''It's in the back of all our minds, especially senior guys because it's our last year and we've done something so special so far,'' he said. ''We're not going to let things slip out of hands, though. We're going to keep driving to reach team goals.''
