Will Garcia get the nod at USC?

Jefferson alum Stephen Garcia, a redshirt freshman quarterback at South Carolina, could be on the verge of making his first college start Saturday against UAB according to several published reports from the Palmetto State. The USC offense has struggled mightily and word is coach Steve Spurrier might be ready to give Garcia, who spent much of his first year at the school in trouble, a shot.

• Ron Morris of The State, writes "Should Stephen Garcia get the start this week against Alabama-Birmingham, the offense could take on a different look. 'We’re still always looking for new plays,' Spurrier said. 'If Stephen Garcia starts playing, he’s a lot better runner than our other quarterbacks. You might see a little bit different scheme stuff there.'"
• Scott Hood of GamecockCentral.com adds: "Following the win over Wofford, and again on Sunday, Spurrier said redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia, who played three snaps in the Georgia game, would receive an opportunity to impress the coaches this week in practice and earn the starting nod at quarterback over Chris Smelley, who has started the last three games. Spurrier said Garcia 'looked OK' in Monday night's practice.''
• Finally, there's this from Charles Bennett of The Post and Courier, who quotes Spurrier as saying "At some point, we've got to see what Stephen Garcia can do. Whether or not, he's ready to play, I don't know, but I've got to find out pretty soon."

--KEITH NIEBUHR