Ranking the rest of South Carolina’s 2022 football games, from easiest to hardest
The South Carolina football season is roughly one-third over.
USC sits 3-2 (0-2 in Southeastern Conference play) and in an increasingly tricky spot as head coach Shane Beamer seeks to reach a bowl game his first two years on the job just like predecessors Steve Spurrier and Will Muschamp did.
So how can the Gamecocks get to six wins or beyond? Let’s take stock of the most winnable games remaining on the schedule.
1. Nov. 5 — at Vanderbilt
This first game shouldn’t surprise anyone.
South Carolina — and just about everyone in the SEC — has dominated Vanderbilt over the last few seasons and this year should be no exception. The Gamecocks have won the last six games games played in Nashville and outscored the Commodores 177-75 in those contests.
In fairness, Vanderbilt (3-2) has looked miles more competent this season under Clark Lea, and its three wins this year already match its best effort since 2019.
South Carolina narrowly escaped Lea’s squad last year thanks to a last-minute Zeb Noland touchdown pass. I like USC to roll in this one, given its upgrades offensively, but don’t be surprised if the Commodores hang around a bit.
2. Oct. 29 — vs. Missouri
Recency bias doesn’t exactly help my cause here, but Missouri is in a bizarre place as a program.
The Tigers (2-3) haven’t seen the bottom fall out, and they’re only a few days removed from giving Georgia everything it had. However, I still think the Tigers are the second-least-talented team on the Gamecocks’ schedule and a must-win if South Carolina has fixations on bowl eligibility.
South Carolina slogged through last year’s loss in CoMo, coming a field goal short despite being being afforded just about every opportunity to win.
I think the Gamecocks hold serve this year at home and heat up Eli Drinkwitz’s seat.
3. Oct. 22 — vs. Texas A&M
Yes, I know the history here.
South Carolina is winless against Texas A&M as its permanent SEC West crossover game since the Aggies began league play in 2014. Still, I think this game is more winnable than it was perceived coming into the year.
Texas A&M’s offense has been an absolute mess. The Aggies (3-2) rank 97th in rushing offense, 102nd in passing offense, 105th in total offense and 108th in scoring offense nationally. That’s not to mention losing do-it-all weapon Ainias Smith for the season due to injury.
Jimbo Fisher’s bunch is certainly talented. Reeling in last year’s No. 1 recruiting class, per 247Sports, has that effect. But those players, for the most part, are still a year or two away from really pushing Texas A&M toward the top of the SEC West.
It’s not an easier game than Vanderbilt or Missouri, but I feel pretty confident saying South Carolina can win this game in Columbia.
4. Oct. 8 — at Kentucky
And that brings us to Saturday’s contest at No. 13 Kentucky.
The Gamecocks have been dominated in this series of late, dropping seven of the last eight contests against the Wildcats. Still, Mark Stoops’ bunch (4-1) showed some holes in its first loss of the season to No. 10 Ole Miss last week.
Quarterback Will Levis continues to be lauded as a potential top 10 NFL Draft pick. Receivers Dane Key, Barion Brown and Tayvion Robinson also look the part of one of the SEC’s best trios on the outside.
I’ll have a prediction for this game later in the week, but I think South Carolina has as good a shot Saturday as any game it won’t be favored in to win.
The next month includes games against Kentucky, a bye week, Texas A&M and Missouri. I don’t think it’s crazy to say South Carolina can go 2-1 or even 3-0 in those games.
That starts in Lexington.
5. Nov. 12 — at Florida
South Carolina shocked me and plenty of others with its complete undressing of Florida in a 40-17 win last season in Columbia that wasn’t even as close as the score might indicate.
This year comes a trip to Gainesville against a new coach in Billy Napier and a Gators team (3-2) that has been erratic, but still talented.
Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson has been equal parts boom and bust. He’s a world-class athlete and can do things in the run game (Hello, Utah) that frustrate opposing defenses to no end. His passing numbers, though, haven’t been great — 73 of 131 (55.7%) for 1,116 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.
South Carolina is going to have a chance in this one if it can make Richardson beat it with his arm. If not? Don’t be surprised if the Gators run wild over Clayton White’s defense that is surrendering 185.4 yards per game on the ground.
6. Nov. 19 — vs. Tennessee
I might’ve ranked this game higher heading into the season, but Josh Heupel has proved me wrong.
Tennessee (4-0) looks like a legit Top 10 team right now and is scoring at will thanks to an offense helmed by quarterback Hendon Hooker and a receiving corps anchored by All-SEC pass-catcher Cedric Tillman.
The Volunteers are still susceptible defensively — allowing an average of 30 points per game in its two contests against Power Five competition this year. We’ll learn a lot about Tennessee the next four weeks in games against LSU, Alabama and Kentucky.
South Carolina was boat-raced in Knoxville last year before really even getting off the bus via a 28-point Tennessee first quarter. The Gamecocks should be more competitive in Columbia, but I have my doubts they can keep up with the Volunteers’ current 48.5 points per game pace — suspect defense or not.
7. Nov. 26 — vs. Clemson
South Carolina fans definitely don’t want to hear it, but I think Clemson (5-0) is back.
The Tigers had ample questions heading into the season. Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott (Virginia) and defensive coordinator Brent Venables (Oklahoma) departed for head coaching jobs, leaving Dabo Swinney to make major changes for the first time in close to a decade.
Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has also looked closer to the form that had pundits oozing over his potential when he spelled Trevor Lawrence two years ago. Combine that with dynamic running back Will Shipley and a defense that’s among the nation’s best and this team should be in the national title hunt come late November.
I wasn’t sold on the Tigers entering 2022. Then Clemson beat N.C. State on Saturday and suddenly it has the inside track to another ACC title.
There was a perception USC might have a chance last year against a Clemson team that took its punches. The Tigers promptly thumped the hometown Gamecocks 30-0.
I’d expect South Carolina to look less lifeless this year, but Clemson should win this game on talent alone.
This story was originally published October 4, 2022 at 11:37 AM.
