Final thoughts, prediction for South Carolina season opener vs. Georgia State
*Taps mic* ... Hello, is this thing on?
Nine months after South Carolina throttled North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, we’ll get our first true look at the 2022 Gamecocks when USC welcomes Georgia State to town on Saturday night.
The offseason optimism surrounding coach Shane Beamer’s squad is otherworldly. It only takes a quick scan of message boards or Facebook groups dedicated to the Gamecocks to find fans calling for a 9-3 season — or better.
Wishful thinking, I suppose.
I’m not quite that bullish — my preseason prediction is 7-5 — but any hopes of a breakout season in Columbia begin with a tricky Georgia State squad helmed by ex-Steve Spurrier assistant Shawn Elliott.
“Any game we go into I want to win and I want to win it bad,” Elliott told The State recently. “That doesn’t change. But the fact that those years of my life in South Carolina were so special, it’s gonna be nice to be back.”
South Carolina is projected as a roughly 12- to-14-point favorite depending on your sportsbook of choice. That said, I like this game to be close well into the second half.
The Panthers are a veteran group fresh off a program-best eight wins last year, capping the year with a victory over Ball State in the Camellia Bowl. Elliott has led Georgia State to bowl games in four of his five years as a head coach. Expect another postseason berth this season.
One-time South Carolina defensive back Jamyest Williams makes up half of one of the Group of Five’s most dynamic tailback tandems alongside Tucker Gregg. That pair has combined for 10 years (!!) of college football and 69 games in their lengthy careers.
Last season, Williams and Gregg teamed up for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns on 320 touches. That’s a 5.7 yard per carry average for those of you keeping score at home.
“He’s (Williams) really developed, because when he first got here and first started playing running back for us, it was kinda, ‘Hey, let’s hand the speed sweep off to Jam,’ ” Georgia State offensive coordinator Trent McKnight told The State. “And now I feel like he’s developed himself into a complete running back.”
Georgia State had its issues defensively but, like an offense that brings back most of its offensive line and just about every major skill position contributor, defensive coordinator Nate Fuqua’s group returns seven starters.
In five games against Power Five competition since 2017 — including a 2019 upset of Tennessee — Georgia State allowed an average of 467.6 yards per contest and surrendered 400 yards or more in four of those five meetings.
Last fall, the Panthers allowed just under 450 yards per game in Sun Belt play. They did, however, rank 46th nationally in rush defense compared to 109th against the pass in 2021.
“This is a really, really good football team that we’re about to play on Saturday night,” Beamer said. “No disrespect to Eastern Illinois, who we opened up with last year, but this ain’t Eastern Illinois.”
But enough about Georgia State. You’re worried about the Gamecocks.
Speaking of, have you heard about this new quarterback? The kid with a snake-like last name? Perhaps you have.
Saturday marks Spencer Rattler’s debut in garnet and black after a topsy-turvy career at Oklahoma that ranged from Heisman front-runner to clipboard holder.
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what to make of Rattler. The arm talent is elite. He can absolutely make those “holy crap” throws that had NFL scouts salivating over his potential a year ago.
He also has that mistake-prone side that comes with being a gunslinger. After all, Rattler averaged almost one interception per game over his first six starts in Norman last season before being passed over by Caleb Williams.
Rattler almost certainly elevates the floor for a South Carolina team that shouldn’t have to mimic last year’s four-man quarterback carousel. The influx of transfer talent and returners around him only adds to that equation.
Finally, though, we’ll get to see Rattler rip it in something with higher stakes than a spring game or scattered throws in a fall practice viewing period.
“I think the biggest thing with (Rattler) or any of our guys, it’s just go out there and — it’s cliche — do your job,” Beamer said. “Be yourself. You don’t need to be Superman out there. Make plays and execute.”
Between Elliott’s and Williams’ returns to Columbia, Rattler’s debut and Beamer’s offseason of good vibes, there are enough narratives Saturday to fill a Dan Brown novel, or three.
South Carolina is still flying a smidge under the radar compared to the Tennessees and Kentuckys of the world, giving this game a little less national attention than it probably deserves.
I feel pretty confident saying this ends up a sneaky close game. Seriously, don’t be surprised if Georgia State hangs around into the second half if South Carolina comes out flat (think the 2021 East Carolina game).
Give me the Gamecocks, but it may cause more sweating than a mid-August run along the Congaree River.
Score prediction: — South Carolina 32, Georgia State 21 —
This story was originally published September 3, 2022 at 7:45 AM.
