COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- South Carolina's Steve Spurrier has successfully handled high expectations for most of his college coaching career. He knows his ninth-ranked Gamecocks will have to quickly learn the same lesson.

Excitement among South Carolina fans is at an all-time high after last season's 11-2 season, the most victories the program's ever produced. To achieve their goals in the SEC, the Gamecocks have to stay focused.

The Gamecocks were picked in the preseason top 10 for the first time, the school announced a record membership for its athletic booster group and talk of SEC titles and more fills local airwaves.

Spurrier said Monday the Gamecocks have set their goals to go beyond last year's showing. The run at the top starts Thursday night when South Carolina opens the season at Vanderbilt.

The head ball coach said junior running back Marcus Lattimore, who missed a good portion of the 2011 season with a knee injury, is ready to carry the ball "30 or 40" times if necessary against the Commodores.

USC is a 7-point favorite.  The game will be televised on ESPN starting at 7 pm.