When will Gamecocks settle on offensive identity? Hint: It’s going to be a while
Part of why South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp added offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was to change the Gamecocks’ identity on that side of the ball.
South Carolina had built around run-pass option plays and a higher pace for two seasons with Bryan McClendon, but his last year saw the offense slide to the pass-happy side of things and a litany of struggles with a freshman quarterback at the helm.
Bobo’s offenses historically have varied in terms of looks, usually basing with some downhill running game but also having some versatility in the passing game. After only five days of spring for the Gamecocks, however, there wasn’t time to set that identity.
And it likely won’t happen until the games are bearing down on South Carolina.
“Probably about the middle of training camp will be probably about when Mike feels comfortable,” Muschamp said in a radio interview on 107.5 The Game.
Bobo himself said he was still waiting for a pair of incoming freshman wide receivers to beef up that spot. Early in the spring, they’d been working with heavier packages — using more running backs and tight ends — just because the personnel makeup.
The offense has pieces such as veteran receivers, second-year QB Ryan Hilinski and freshman tailback MarShawn Lloyd, but everyone has to adapt after losing Bryan Edwards, Kyle Markway and four senior tailbacks.
For the moment, the staff is able to meet online with the players five days a week. Muschamp said he had his staff go back to the first day of installing the offense when coronavirus first shut down the sport. He wanted the staff to be detailed and diligent with its teaching, and saw the players respond in kind.
They’ve also deployed a customized testing software to quiz players, something Muschamp said helped with retention.
But it’s not the same as working with 11 guys on the field. It won’t show how well a team runs such plays as power, inside zone or double posts. And those things, the bones of an offense’s identity, will have to wait for a few more months.
It’s not yet know when players can return to campus. The school has suspended in-person classes through at least Aug. 1.
“Until you get on the field, you don’t really know how a guy responds. What is his competitive edge? What’s his competitive nature? How does he adjust well in a practice station?” Muschamp said. “(Bobo) was able to do that for five days. He’s very excited by our quarterback room, very excited about our offensive line.”
