Gamecocks poised to make big jump in Year 2 under Shane Beamer, national outlets say
The South Carolina football program has got a lot of momentum going into next season, and two national media outlets has the Gamecocks in the top 25 going into next season.
ESPN has the Gamecocks at No. 25 in its Way Too Early Top 25 poll released on Tuesday while CBS has them at No. 22.
Last year, the Gamecocks were ranked sixth out of seven teams in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division preseason poll, and Las Vegas sports books had the over-under for USC’s win total at 3.5 going into the season.
But the Gamecocks exceeded expectations in Shane Beamer’s first year. USC went 7-6 and capped off the year with a 38-21 in a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte.
“Shane Beamer’s first season as a head coach couldn’t have gone much better, given the Gamecocks’ lack of depth and problems at quarterback,” ESPN wrote. “Still, they scratched out seven victories, including wins over Florida, Auburn and a 38-21 rout of North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Beamer addressed his quarterback issues by bringing in former Oklahoma starter (Spencer) Rattler and signing (two) high school passers. (Tanner) Bailey was the No. 6 pocket passer and (Braden) Davis was the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback, according to ESPN recruiting.”
CBS wrote: “Shane Beamer defied expectations winning seven games in Year 1 of his regime. Insert Spencer Rattler from the transfer portal, and the Gamecocks will be a legitimate upset threat in several SEC games. Expect eight wins as the upward trajectory continues.”
The Gamecocks will return a nucleus of Rattler and tight end Austin Stogner, Wake Forest running back Christian Beal-Smith, Central Michigan safety Devonni Reed and James Madison receiver Antwane Wells.
Both rankings have seven SEC teams in it. In the ESPN poll, it was Alabama (No. 1), Georgia (No. 3), Texas A&M (No. 4), Arkansas (No. 20), Kentucky (No. 21) and Ole Miss (No. 23). The CBS poll had Alabama (No. 1 ), Georgia (No. 3), Texas A&M (No. 5), LSU (No. 8), Arkansas (No. 10) and Tennessee (No. 15).
This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 11:29 AM.
