Three games that could change the course of South Carolina’s 2022 season
South Carolina’s offseason high is nearing an end.
USC kicks off Year 2 of the Shane Beamer era in three weeks when Georgia State heads to Williams-Brice Stadium for the 2022 season opener.
How the Gamecocks fare this season has drawn ample opinions from all corners of the country. If South Carolina is going to capitalize on last year’s surprising 7-6 campaign, these three games figure to be key.
South Carolina at Arkansas — Sept. 10
Handicapping USC has been tricky enough, but I feel pretty confident saying the trip to Arkansas can change the ceiling for the 2022 season — if the Gamecocks can leave Fayetteville with a win.
Sam Pittman’s crew was picked to finish third in the SEC West by the league’s media members last month and bring back one of the conference’s best quarterbacks in signal-caller K.J. Jefferson.
That said, there’s reason to think the Gamecocks can spring an upset in their first road contest of the year.
Arkansas has to replace All-SEC receiver Treylon Burks — a first round draft pick this past spring by the Tennessee Titans — among a handful of other playmakers. Getting a team adjusting its offensive identity early in the season feels like a positive for South Carolina.
USC doesn’t have to win this one, but with Georgia looming in Week 3, the Gamecocks are staring a 1-2 start square in the face (assuming they take care of Georgia State) if they fall in Fayetteville.
South Carolina at Kentucky — Oct. 8
In a series that was remarkably lopsided from its first iteration in 1981 through the Steve Spurrier years, Kentucky has flipped a switch against South Carolina over the last decade.
The Wildcats have won seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams. The Gamecocks also haven’t won in Lexington since 2012, when Joker Phillips was still the head coach at Kentucky.
Mark Stoops and his staff bring back Will Levis at quarterback, giving the Wildcats stability at the sports’ most crucial position. However, replacing do-it-all offensive weapon Wan’Dale Robinson along with offensive coordinator Liam Coen is a stiff test.
Recent history — as noted — suggests Kentucky has the edge in this one. But don’t be surprised if Beamer’s squad gives the Wildcats a run for their money in this one.
South Carolina vs. Tennessee — Nov. 19
Folks in and around Columbia would likely like to forget last season’s trip to Knoxville. A win against the Volunteers in November would certainly help with that.
Tennessee’s offense took a step forward in Year 1 under Josh Heupel, finishing fourth in the SEC in passing and third in rushing and total offense in 2021.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker is back as the trigger man for that unit, along with a talented group of receivers that includes Cedric Tillman and Irmo product Jalin Hyatt.
As good as Tennessee’s offense might be this year, though, the Volunteers have plenty of questions on the defensive side. Heupel’s squad allowed 500 yards or more in five contests last year — including more than 600 yards in games against Kentucky and Purdue.
It’s hard to peg exactly what the South Carolina offense will look like by November, but Tennessee figures to be susceptible if the Gamecocks defense can hold its own.
South Carolina 2022 football schedule
This story was originally published August 12, 2022 at 8:40 AM.
