Steve Spurrier quotes Taylor Swift lyrics to his staff

Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks had high hopes going into the 2014 season, with a No. 9 preseason ranking, but they have struggled to a 4-5 record, and have lost four consecutive conference games, so the Ol' Ball coach is turning to one of the 21st century's greatest poets for help.

Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks had high hopes going into the 2014 season, with a No. 9 preseason ranking. Unfortunately, they have struggled to a 4-5 record, losing four consecutive conference games, so the Ol' Ball Coach is turning to one of the 21st century's greatest poets for help.

  “I was telling our coaching staff, I think Taylor Swift’s got a song called ‘Shake it Off.’ Ugh. That’s what we’re trying to do, shake it off and get ready for the Florida Gators next week. That’s what we’re going to try to do, see if we can regroup and try to win a close game."

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Whether the team's new Swift-inspired mindset will bear any fruit remains to be seen, but it certainly will be difficult to get the mantra out of their heads.

It seems that the entire sports world is embracing "Shake It Off," including Big Ten mascots and the New York Knicks.

- Brendan Maloy