Tony Barnhart: How big an impact will Jon Hoke make?
Between now and the season-opener against North Carolina on Sept. 3, we will ask 50 people: “What do you think about the Gamecocks in 2015?” We’re counting down the days until kickoff. Today’s panelist is Tony Barnhart, longtime college football writer and analyst:
“The Gamecocks will be able to move the ball regardless of who plays quarterback. Pharoh Cooper is one of the most versatile players in all of college football. I have no concerns about South Carolina’s ability to move the ball. Defensively however, the question is, ‘How big an impact can Jon Hoke make?’ How big an impact can any coach make if you don’t have the personnel? They’ve got to be better on the defensive side because they cannot possibly be as bad as they were a year ago. If they get a little bit better on defense, they’ll be able to score enough points to win some games.”