Three and out: 'Game on' for Muschamp era

What did we learn from South Carolina's 24-21 victory over Tennessee? Here are three thoughts on the victory.

Game on - Given the situation that head coach Will Muschamp inherited at South Carolina, I've been a big proponent of the idea that this is 'Year 0' for South Carolina. That we can certainly judge aspects of the program and game-by-game decisions and results, but that it would be difficult to know much of anything during this season about the big picture of where the program is headed under Muschamp's guidance. While in some sense, that may still be the case, I believe with his first signature win since taking the Carolina job, the Muschamp era has officially begun in Columbia.

The win over Tennessee is huge on multiple levels.

First the obvious: it puts South Carolina in a position to go bowling. That is big, not only for the seniors who have been through so much the last couple of seasons, but for the young players who essentially get an extra spring practice to develop and improve. That's invaluable. Not to say that the Gamecocks will definitely go bowling now, but they're two victories away and they'll be favored in two of their final four games, so it sets up well.

But this win is so much bigger than just that. This win shows progress and puts Muschamp and his staff in a position to accelerate the process of rebuilding the roster on the recruiting trail. That's not just for the big-time prospects who were on campus to see a great game and a true big-time SEC atmosphere, but even for those who just simply heard about the win.

Before Saturday night, South Carolina was an SEC program with a cool coaching staff (prospects love these guys) and an opportunity to play early. Now, the perception quickly becomes that Carolina is a program on the rise. Regardless of what happens on the field, the goal of the staff on the recruiting trail is to sell the dream that they can win big in Columbia. Now they have some evidence.

Throw in the fact that Carolina won the game with a freshman at quarterback, running back and receiver, which shows that the staff will certainly play freshmen, but also shows that there's a young base of talent already on campus for the staff to build around.

Plus, anything the Gamecocks can do to knock the Tennessee program down a rung - the Vols have been a thorn in the Gamecocks side recently and the two programs have gone head to head a lot recently on the recruiting trail - is a major positive, especially considering the mounting evidence that Butch Jones' program may be a house of cards set to lose its foundation at any moment.

It was simply one win, but with it, the perception of the program begins to change and the idea that Muschamp is building something special in Columbia begins to spread.

Bentley is the real deal, but not the only one - While most took a wait-and-see approach to Jake Bentley following his first career start against UMass, I think it's safe to say that the Gamecocks' freshman quarterback is as-advertised. His physical traits are impressive, but it's his poise, demeanor, maturity and football IQ that set him apart. Bentley didn't put up incredibly flashy numbers, but he did make big throw after big throw, often in small windows and often with defenders in his face or diving around his feet. He's the most advanced freshman passer I've seen in Columbia in my lifetime and has provided a much-needed spark to a struggling offense.

While Bentley is potentially special, his emergence helps several teammates emerge as well. Rico Dowdle would be the talk of the town if not for the play of No. 4. Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards are getting more opportunities with the ball in the air and are taking advantage of it too (one of Bentley's best traits is he gives his guys a chance while also seemingly putting the ball in a spot away from the defender).

On the defensive side of the ball, top performers continue to emerge. Jamarcus King may be playing his way into All-SEC honors. Dante Sawyer, Ulric Jones, Jonathan Walton and Bryson Allen-Williams all caught my eye multiple times Saturday. And Steven Montac! I have to admit, I didn't have high expectations for Montac when he arrived essentially as fall camp started, but Montac has been invaluable for the Gamecocks as a cornerback, nickelback and safety, and he made two big plays Saturday with a beautiful tackle and a pass break-up. As Gamecock Central moderator 'Beckham' accurately put, he's the Swiss army knife of the defense and with a thin secondary, he's been a huge contributor.

Missouri is the biggest test of the season - UPSET ALERT! South Carolina might be a home favorite, but make no mistake, Missouri is the biggest test of the season and this is the biggest practice week of the year for Muschamp's bunch.

A team full of inexperienced players will go to class this week with their fellow classmates praising them and telling them how great they are. They'll look in the student newspaper and read about the standouts from the game. And if they log onto Gamecock Central, they'll read articles like the first two-thirds of this one, praising their huge victory over Tennessee.

All of those accolades are well deserved for a team that's absolutely busted its collective tail since Mushamp took over and done everything the staff has asked of it. They earned a perception-altering, year-one defining victory over Tennessee. Now the biggest test: Can they deal with success?

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