Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going around the landscape of the SEC, team by team, previewing the upcoming American tackle football season. Up next, our 2021 South Carolina preview!
2021 South Carolina Preview
After five years of Will Muschamp, the last (at least) three of which ran rampant with speculation of whether or not he was on the hot seat, the bottom finally fell out. After a 2-2 start, the South Carolina Gamecocks lost six straight games to finish the 2020 season, and Muschamp was canned. South Carolina hired Shane Beamer, a guy who helped build that offensive juggernaut at Oklahoma under Lincoln Riley, and even worked at South Carolina under Steve Spurrier in the mid-2000s. But, make no mistake about it, Muschamp and company left this roster in shambles. There aren’t a whole lot of reasons to think we’re going to get a “Spurrier 2.0” type of offense in Beamer’s first year. But, one piece of the puzzle that should have Gamecocks fans is the return of the electric running back Kevin Harris.
In his first season as a starter, Harris led the SEC in rushing yards per game (113.8) and ran a total of 1,138 yards in just 10 games. He was the 11th Gamecock to record a 1,000-yard season and the first since Mike Davis. Kevin was selected First Team All-SEC by the Associated Press as well as second team according to the league’s coaches and Phil Steele. Harris recorded five 100-yard games including a pair of 200-yard games and scored a school single game record with five touchdowns against Ole Miss. Harris finished the season with a remarkable 16 total touchdowns against a 10-game SEC schedule. He joined George Rogers (3) and Marcus Lattimore (2) as the only Gamecocks with multiple 200-yard games in a career. Kevin Harris was the best running back in the state and in the SEC last year.
Outside of Harris and an experienced offensive line with four returning starters, there are a ton of question marks on this South Carolina offense. This is where it gets a little dicey, even at the quarterback position, where it seems there will be a competition between Jason Brown and Luke Doty. Doty figures to be the incumbent. As for who the quarterback’s going to be throwing the ball to, well…it’s wide open. For several seasons now, it seems as though South Carolina has had at least one dude with NFL talent at the receiver position. If that guy’s on the roster now, it’s not evident. At least tight end Nick Muse is back after being South Carolina’s #2 option in the passing game a season ago.
Clayton White takes over as defensive coordinator, and inherits a strong defensive front. In Kingsley “J.J.” Enagbare and Aaron Sterling, they have a couple of talented rushers they can build around, and there’s reason to be excited about this group of linebackers. There was a mass exodus in the secondary, which…I feel like I’m repeating myself…raises a ton of question marks. This solid front is going to have to do more in order to ease the transition in the secondary. Because of this defensive front, the experienced offensive line, and Harris, there is a foundation in place to build upon. It’s just a matter of whether or not Beamer can squeeze enough out of it to be a surprise team in 2021.
2021 Gamecocks Schedule
Saturday, 9/4: vs. Eastern Illinois – Thankfully for South Carolina, they don’t have to play an all-SEC schedule in 2021.
Saturday, 9/11: @ Eastern Carolina – This being on the road would make me a little more anxious than I’d otherwise be, but there’s no reason the Gamecocks shouldn’t start the season 2-0.
Saturday, 9/18: @ Georgia – I would be downright shocked if South Carolina pulled this upset. Georgia should absolutely be the favorite in the SEC East heading into this season.
Saturday, 9/25: vs. Kentucky – This is a big, interesting game – if South Carolina can beat Kentucky, they just might put themselves in position to make a little noise in the division.
Saturday, 10/2: vs. Troy – Barring catastrophe, this should at least be South Carolina’s third win of the season.
Saturday, 10/9: @ Tennessee – The Vols are another program in the SEC East in transition. Like Beamer, I’m just not sure how quickly Josh Heupel can get things turned around in Knoxville. This one seems like a toss-up.
Saturday, 10/16: vs. Vanderbilt – Everyone’s labeling the ‘Dores as a rollover this year, but I actually like some of the pieces they have in place and the coaching staff they’ve assembled. I think this one will be surprisingly closer than people expect.
Saturday, 10/23: @ Texas A&M – The Aggies are going to be good this season. I’m putting ’em up there with the Georgias and Alabamas of the league, which means I’m counting this as a loss for South Carolina.
Saturday, 10/30 – BYE
Saturday, 11/6: vs. Florida – I expect the Gators to take a step back in 2021, but they should still be lightyears ahead of South Carolina.
Saturday, 11/13: @ Mizzou – Getting this one at home is huge for the upstart Tigers. They’re a year ahead in their rebuild, and I expect them to win this one.
Saturday, 11/20: vs. Auburn – Another team I’m just not that high on. This is a winnable game for South Carolina. The latest in what feels like six toss-ups on their schedule. If the Gamecocks want to get to a bowl game, they’re going to have to win a couple of games like this one.
Saturday, 11/27: vs. Clemson – Um….nope.
Prediction
I don’t want to burst your bubble, South Carolina fans, but I just don’t see how you look at this team and expect it to contend in the SEC. The only thing they have going for them is the fact that the SEC East is wide open this year – it’s Georgia and then everybody else. But, if I’m missing something, please feel free to point it out in the comments. Otherwise, I’m looking at this as a basement contender. My official gun-to-my-head prediction is 4-8.
OTHER SEC 2021 SEASON PREVIEWS
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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