Can the Gamecocks turn it around?

By: Jones DesChamps

Will there ever be a point during this season that South Carolina will be over .500? 

Although South Carolina has continually obtained one of the most difficult schedules in college football over the last 3 seasons, South Carolina’s proven passing game and serviceable defense will guarantee their bowl eligibility this season. 

Carrying a 2-3 record into their bye week this week, South Carolina has impressed the nation with their explosive offense. Led by senior quarterback Spencer Rattler, this high powered offense has exploded in the passing game. Xavier Leggette, the star receiver for the Gamecocks, is currently 3rd in the conference in receiving yards and isn’t stopping anytime soon. Discovering a hidden gem in the running game, Dowell Loggains looks to Mario Anderson to light a fire in the ground attack. Not to be forgotten, Luke Doty, who was a highly regarded dual-threat quarterback in high school, has been used in different ways at tight end, as well. This flexible member of the offense has also provided a spark for the guys in garnet. 

Yes, this Carolina team has the weapons to win double digit games, but it all means nothing if they continue to play this arduous schedule… right? Wrong. There is good news for Gamecock fans. Coming off of their bye week, Carolina looks to host  a fraudulent Florida team who is 4-6 in their last 10 SEC games. Later in the season, they approach their easiest stretch of games  as they look to defeat Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M’s disappointing campaign. Following that, they play Jacksonville State and Vanderbilt, 2 notoriously bad football programs. They then host Kentucky and Clemson at Williams-Brice Stadium, a hostile environment for back-to-back rivalry games. 

Clearly, South Carolina and Shane Beamer has a chance to change their losing culture cultivated over the last few seasons. The true question is this: will their difficult schedule wreak havoc on their record once again? I don’t think so. The Gamecocks have something to prove this season, and with their backs against the wall, they will start throwing knockout punches to unexpected teams.