Finebaum’s forecast: TV host (mostly) bullish about outlook for Beamer, South Carolina
Paul Finebaum concedes he was skeptical when South Carolina hired Shane Beamer in December 2020. The SEC Network and ESPN personality has since changed his tune.
USC has finished 7-6 and 8-5 in Beamer’s first two seasons leading the Gamecocks, including two bowl game appearances.
Finebaum, speaking to The State at SEC Media Days, was generally optimistic about the state of the program and the direction of things under Beamer.
Where do you think South Carolina is as a program after the 2022 season?
Finebaum: “I feel like they’re in a great place. I feel the enthusiasm. I see a lot of Gamecock fans where I live. I was working out the other day and some Gamecocks fan said, ‘Hey, what do you think? Do you think we can win (in 2023)?’ And it’s funny because if you look at it from a long way off, it’s a 15-11 record (under Shane Beamer), ups and downs, terrible loss last year before the two big wins. But to me, it was that period from Tennessee to Clemson — everything changed and Shane Beamer just pretty well bought himself unlimited security and capital. I mean, I’m not enough of a historian of South Carolina football, but has there ever been a better eight days?”
What do you think is the perception of Shane Beamer and the job he’s done in two years in Columbia?
Finebaum: “Very, very impressive. That comes from somebody who had low expectations for him. I felt like he was an interesting hire. I felt like players and alums alike kind of galvanized around him, because of his energy and recruiting, and that works sometimes, but doesn’t always work. He just shattered the doubters. And I don’t think it will be this year, but I think he’s not far from getting enough recruits in there to start to make a run up the ladder.”
What is it about wins against Tennessee and Clemson that matters most and/or helps a program moving forward?
Finebaum: “They’re program-changing — especially the way they did it, the fashion they did it. And I think in some ways, nationally, the Tennessee game gave them more cachet than the other game. But by the time they got to Clemson, there’s a lot of things happening that day. It probably did not get as much (attention). But I’ll take the Clemson win if I’m Shane Beamer.”
Spencer Rattler is back. What do you think of his return and what can he bring to South Carolina?
Finebaum: “I think it’s great because he had such a chaotic season. But nobody remembers that. He put all that to bed late in the year and I’m hoping he’s got some confidence and momentum and I expect a really big year.”
What’s best case/worst case for South Carolina in 2023?
Finebaum: “I think best case is probably eight wins. Worst case? You don’t want to hear. I think it could really be bad and there’s there’s a lot of danger on that schedule — especially if they lose to North Carolina. It suddenly puts so much pressure on and there’s almost nowhere to go after that. I’ll spare you that North Carolina is a ‘must win,’ but to have a good season, it is a must-win.”
South Carolina 2023 schedule
- Sept. 2 – North Carolina (at Charlotte) – 7:30 pm, ABC
- Sept. 9 – vs Furman – 7:30 p.m., SEC Network
- Sept. 16 – at Georgia – 3:30 pm, CBS
- Sept. 23 – vs Mississippi State – TBA
- Sept. 30 – at Tennessee – TBA
- Oct. 14 – vs Florida – TBA
- Oct. 21 – at Missouri – TBA
- Oct. 28 – at Texas A&M – TBA
- Nov. 4 – Jacksonville State – TBA
- Nov. 11 – vs Vanderbilt – TBA
- Nov. 18 – vs Kentucky – TBA
- Nov. 25 – vs Clemson – TBA
