14-in-14 2023: South Carolina Gamecocks
The Gamecocks have been a perennial middle-of-the-pack team in the SEC for years. Can Beamer keep South Carolina on an upward trajectory?
By: The Waco Kid
My admiration and support for head coach Shane Beamer could only be overshadowed by a player so unlikable that he brings out my most strongly worded sentences. Cue quarterback Spencer Rattler walking into the facilities at Williams-Brice. I want the Gamecocks to succeed and lift Beamer’s legacy to that of his fathers but until Rattler is gone, I cannot and will not stand behind this program. Let’s forget his innate ability to turn the ball over or his poor attitude when things don’t go his way, what really gets me is his holier-than-thou demeanor. Yes, he showed out in a few of the Cocks’ games last year and no one can take that away from him. Yes, he is coming back for another season, but best believe if this slithery little snake even sniffed he could be a draft pick last year, he would have left the team in a heartbeat. Unfortunately for South Carolina and if I’m being honest the whole SEC, we get another year of temper tantrums and subpar play from the man behind center.
Now, this blog is about the team as a whole, not just one member of the team, so I will try to focus on that rather than just my personal vendetta with Rattler. South Carolina is a good program, not bad, not great, but good. And every once in a while, they are going to surprise you and hit you straight in the mouth. They are by no means a threat to win the East but could they take the number three spot again? Absolutely. There are some unfortunate matchups USC will have to face but this is a team that on any given Saturday can surprise even the best of teams.
State of the Program: 7/12 biscuits. The program is on the verge of ascending in the East. These are good biscuits, but with a solid year, they can be even better.
There are a few things we look for to determine the state of the program. Success over the previous few seasons, returning players, new players, and schedule among them. Looking at an eight-win team in the SEC is actually quite impressive and a great resume builder for the Columbia crew. They also return the aforementioned Spencer Rattler and are coming off a very close loss to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. All positives for a program that likes to hover around the middle of the conference. They are also returning dynamic wide receivers Juice Wells and Xavier Legette on top of running back JuJu McDowell. This offense is coming in locked and loaded.
The Gamecocks also got a boost on offense with transfers from multiple four-star tight ends, Trey Knox and Nick Elksnis. Their biggest loss was running back MarShawn Lloyd who decided to transfer to the west coast USC to finish out his career. They brought in a couple of defensive ends who should be able to step in and make an impact right away as well.
In the 2022 season, SC compiled wins against Kentucky, A&M, Tennessee, and Clemson. All formidable opponents that can never be overlooked. Their downside came in some games that they should have won but due to turnovers were unable to finish the job. If I am Beamer, looking back at some of these wins should be the focal point and building block on which the 2023 season is based. Specifically, the absolute trouncing of a highly-ranked Tennessee team. The Cocks pretty much played to perfection in this contest and the score reflected that when the final seconds ticked off the clock. They were perfect in almost every aspect of the game and showed what this team is truly capable of.
South Carolina will receive no help with their schedule this year, with two of their four games outside of the SEC being against ranked opponents. In Week 1 they will face UNC and they host Clemson to finish out the regular season. This will be no walk in the park but will show just what Beamer’s squad is made of and where this program is heading.
What went right in 2022
As previously mentioned, the wins SC was able to obtain were huge for the program. They beat UT by 25 points, outpacing one of the nation’s top-scoring offenses. The Gamecocks then went into Death Valley (the lesser) and outlasted Clemson by a point to defeat another top-ten team. These victories would have been enough for most programs in any given year but South Carolina also notched victories over Kentucky and A&M. It was definitely a coming-out party for Shane Beamer.
On a positive note, Rattler seemed to get better and better throughout the year and minimized turnovers as the season progressed. MarShawn Lloyd also turned into an absolute beast and carried the rock like he was playing a bunch of JV high school football players. Two receivers emerged as playmakers and will continue to make their mark in 2023. Both Xavier Legette and Juice Wells will be staples in this offense that with the ball in their hands can make magic happen across the board.
It was a great second season for Shane Beamer. Unfortunately starting on a high note in the SEC means expectations. He will have to meet those expectations and take strides forward for the Gamecocks to be considered a serious contender within the conference.
What went wrong in 2022
A brief scare by Georgia State in their first game followed by horrible losses to Arkansas and Georgia started off the year rough for the ‘Cocks in 2022. Against those two teams, they allowed 92 points. That is insane, an average of 46 points allowed over a two-week span is not up to snuff for an SEC team. Losses to Mizzou and Florida were also black marks on the program that could not be overlooked by the end of the season.
Sure, they barely lost to Notre Dame in their bowl game but a loss is still a loss and no one wants to start the offseason on a bad note. This is exactly what SC did. Five turnovers by Spencer Rattler in the first three games is also not a stat line you want to see associated with your quarterback and face of the program. They did rank 16th in recruiting during the 2023 offseason but that translated to seventh in the SEC. If you want to compete in the conference you really need to be in the top five recruiting classes within the SEC.
What the ‘Cocks need in 2023
The loss of running back MarShawn Lloyd is going to sting. He was their workhorse, short down, grind it out back. The type that can motivate those around him just by his play on the field. When you lose that motivational factor and production, you really do not know the impact until you take the field the next year and see who steps up to replace him. The void will be filled by talented back JuJu McDowell and Dakereon Joyner is also moving to RB. The ‘Cocks need them to step up to match or exceed Lloyd’s production.
The Gamecocks need ball security. They have proven how explosive they can be on offense, and need to remain that way more consistently under new OC Dowell Loggains. The defense has also shown glimpses of promise by their takeaways and holding teams like Tennessee to fewer points than they score. If this squad can not turn over the football and Rattler plays like he did in big games, we are looking at a surprise team in the East.
This team has the potential and talent to go far, but do they have the willingness and effort to make those assets translate to wins? So far the answer has been no. It will continue to be a no until they prove otherwise. I hope I am wrong for the sake of Shane Beamer but I see this team as no more than a 7-8 win team and being invited to the toilet bowl in some obscure Florida city that isn’t on the top of the travel list.
So it’s either time to prove you have a top quarterback and team in the SEC or be forever cursed to the swamps and humidity of the Florida outback come the end of December into January.
How they can earn some extra biscuits
Win 9-10 games and prove everyone wrong. Beat UNC to start the year, and don’t lose to Mizzou or a subpar Florida team. Upset Clemson, A&M, and perhaps Tennessee again. And for the love of God do not lose to Kentucky, Vandy, Mississippi State, or Mizzou. If this team can do that, they earn extra biscuits and this should go down as a very successful season in Gamecocks history. We know they will lose to Georgia so we will not even put that out there. The talent differential and coaching is just too much at this point. Look for Beamer and the ‘Cocks to make some noise this year.
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