DESTIN, Fla. -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier states his goal for 2007 without great conviction or fanfare.

"We'll set our goal to win the SEC," he said at the conference's spring meetings this week.

Later, in the same interview, he talked about "sneaking into Atlanta" for the SEC championship game.

There was nothing sneaky about Spurrier's championship ventures at Florida in the 1990s. Those teams swaggered their way to championships.

Although the Gamecocks haven't developed a swagger, they have at least gained confidence in two seasons under Spurrier. They upset Tennessee and Florida in 2005 and almost knocked the Gators off their national championship course last season.

They have improved each season and played in back-to-back bowls. So why not raise the bar before next season?

But you can understand Spurrier's reluctance. As well as South Carolina has played so often against the SEC's best teams the last two years, he sees the program's shortcomings too clearly.

His concerns aren't what you would expect from a coach whose offenses have produced spectacular results at Duke of all places, as well at Florida.

"Blake Mitchell had a terrible spring game," he said of a quarterback whose performances have varied drastically the last two seasons.

Spurrier quickly clarified that critique while indicting most of his offense in the process.

"We didn't pass block well and our receivers didn't get open," he said.

You have an inconsistent quarterback lacking in mobility, poor pass protection and receivers who can't separate from defenders. What's an offensive guru to do?

Answer: Coach up the offense and lean on the defense.

"We've been ninth in defense (in the SEC) the last two years," Spurrier said. "To win a championship, you've got to be in the top five."

South Carolina's next defense, led by All-SEC middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, has that potential. Not only does South Carolina boast one of the conference's most experienced defenses, it has been bolstered by the influx of outstanding defensive recruits, several of whom arrived in time for spring practice.

Spurrier refers to Ladi Ajiboye as "a defensive tackle who makes tackles." Ajiboye signed with Virginia Tech out of high school, then opted for South Carolina after a year at Hargrave Military Academy. Clifton Geathers, a 6-foot-7, 270-pound defensive end, followed a similar course. He first signed with Georgia, later enrolled at Hargrave and then chose South Carolina.

"They called us," Spurrier said proudly.

Their change of heart says something about the Gamecocks' improvement. Spurrier also believes increased television exposure figured prominently in landing South Carolina's most heralded recruiting class.

Freshman defensive end Travian Robertson made an impact during spring practice after enrolling in January. Cliff Matthews, another freshman defensive linemen, could be a factor this fall.

A deeper, more talented defense signifies progress. But there's considerable work to do on an offense that looks so un-Spurrier like at this juncture. South Carolina has better running backs -- Cory Boyd and Mike Davis, for example -- than receivers. And its pedestrian offensive line is better at run blocking than pass protection.

"We can't block," Spurrier said. "That's why we can't throw more than 25 or 30 passes (per game). We get back there and get sacked.

"Kenny McKinley is our best pass receiver. Outside of that, it's unknown."

No wonder the Gamecocks signed eight receivers, including sprinter Chris Culliver who didn't play the position fulltime in high school but is regarded as one of the gems of the recruiting class. Spurrier also is intrigued with the potential of tight end/wide receiver Jared Cook, a 6-5, 235-pound sophomore with speed.

"He looks like (former Georgia Tech star receiver) Calvin Johnson, but he doesn't play like him," Spurrier said.

Spurrier still has a preseason to develop a fledgling passing game. And his track record in that area should inspire optimism amongst the South Carolina faithful.

Maybe a top-five defense can take it from there.