South Carolina Football: 2022 Gamecocks Season Preview and Prediction

It was by no means about wins, though after all it was about wins.

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer knew that he would solely be judged by what number of video games he received, even in his first season, however he additionally knew that wins could be exhausting to return by in 2021. He was taking up the remnants of a program that had received solely six video games over two seasons, one with a tradition that resembled the underside of a properly.

He could not fear about victories instantly. He needed to rebuild the fervour, the thrill, the dedication, then begin to eye actual progress in Yr 2.

Beamer did that, in surprisingly quick order. Name it a byproduct of Gamecock followers desperately eager to consider in one thing after the dismal finish of the Will Muschamp Period.

However a humorous factor occurred on the best way to the expected three-to-four-win season …

The Gamecocks received. Not an entire lot. Not in opposition to the groups like Georgia or Clemson that USC actually desires to beat. They have been blown out 4 instances and needed to pull off a miracle comeback to beat Vanderbilt at residence.

However as they demolished North Carolina 38–21 within the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to complete 7–6, profitable three of their final 5 video games, the cheers have been again. And Beamer added to it with a powerful group of newcomers, once more bedecked with transfers, one a former Heisman Trophy favourite who gave USC its most adorned prospect in program historical past the second he signed on the dotted line.

“It is an ideal assertion about the place we’re. To win a bowl recreation, to enter the offseason — with a lot momentum, a lot perception with our gamers — I am unable to await them to return and get proper again to work,” Beamer says. “We had some setbacks, definitely. Each Sunday after a loss, you at all times fear, ‘What is the mentality going to be?’ Each week, they got here again to work.”

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Previewing South Carolina’s Offense for 2022

A yr after beginning 4 completely different quarterbacks, Beamer struck gold by plucking former Oklahoma star quarterback Spencer Rattler from the switch portal. Rattler, a wunderkind as a freshman and Heisman Trophy front-runner getting into final season, misplaced his job at OU on account of too many turnovers final yr and selected a contemporary begin beneath a coach with whom he already had a relationship.

The hope is {that a} true game-changer beneath middle can stabilize an offense that completed thirteenth in passing, eleventh in dashing and thirteenth in scoring within the SEC final yr. Rattler’s mobility and NFL arm present a brand new dimension to the Gamecocks, however USC is aware of full properly he cannot be a one-man present.

The Gamecocks return their complete offensive line, but it surely was a line that produced simply six 100-yard dashing video games in 13 tries, and that was with 2020 SEC main rusher Kevin Harris. It was one of many worst pass-blocking strains within the league and gave up 31 sacks. That would be the greatest query mark.

USC restocked its working backs with Wake Forest switch Christian Beal-Smith, and it returns MarShawn Lloyd, a heralded recruit two years in the past who missed his complete first season (2020) with a torn ACL. The Gamecocks produce other weapons — receiver Josh Vann led the workforce in catches, yards and touchdowns, whereas tight finish Jaheim Bell was a serious contributor, hauling in two TDs within the bowl recreation — however they can not be utilized if Rattler cannot keep upright.

Previewing South Carolina’s Protection for 2022

USC had the perfect cross protection within the SEC final yr, but it surely got here with the Gamecocks’ soiled little secret: Regardless of their marvelous reward at recording takeaways (an SEC-high 24 interceptions/recovered fumbles), groups did not must cross in opposition to USC. As a result of its run protection was so awful.

The Gamecocks misplaced some expertise on the perimeters however return the majority of their inside line and linebackers, though just like the O-line, does that matter if it was so poor final yr? The hope is that the 2 Jordans, Strachan and Burch, can hurry the QB and that Zacch Pickens, Rick Sandidge, Tonka Hemingway and Co. can deal with the inside. Sherrod Greene, getting back from two years of accidents, will help sixth-year senior Brad Johnson deal with the linebacker spots.

The secondary returns Cam Smith, one of many SEC’s most underrated gamers, alongside fellow nook Darius Rush and security R.J. Roderick. These three held collectively a battered unit final yr, and Beamer added Devonni Reed (Central Michigan) from the switch portal.

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Previewing South Carolina’s Specialists for 2022

The Gamecocks misplaced this system’s profession scoring chief, Parker White, to commencement, however Mitch Jeter, a scholarship kicker, has been prepping for this second for 2 years. He’s making an attempt to carry off Alex Herrera for placekicking duties. Punter Kai Kroeger has been one of many SEC’s finest and returns for his junior yr.

Remaining Evaluation

Smiles and enjoyable are again at USC, and with them come raised expectations. Rattler provides this system a highlight it hasn’t had since 2010-13, when it received 42 video games beneath Steve Spurrier. However the trenches are suspect, and the schedule is once more murderous (USC’s first two SEC video games are at Arkansas and internet hosting defending nationwide champion Georgia).

However Beamer has an infectious enthusiasm for the job and answered any questions on if he’d be overwhelmed with making an attempt to make a traditionally mediocre program good in his first yr. In some methods, it is more durable to comply with a stunning season with a greater one, however Beamer already shut up his critics as soon as.

Nationwide Rating: 42

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