South Carolina Gamecocks 2016 NCAA Football Preview

South Carolina Gamecocks 2016 NCAA Football Preview

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Southeastern Conference – East Division

 

2015 Record – 3-9

ATS – 6-6

 

2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank

East Division #7

Conference #14

 

2015 Recap

The season started with a home win over North Carolina. Yes, they were outgained in that contest and needed a late interception to seal the win, but in hindsight that was a quality victory. Things unraveled very quickly after that and coaching legend Steve Spurrier resigned in October. The Gamecocks played some decent football down the stretch losing close games to Texas A&M, Tennessee and Clemson. However, they did find a way to lose to The Citadel in November. Bottom line, speaking as a die-hard college football fan, it is sad to see Spurrier out of the game. Enter HC Will Muschamp. A new chapter begins.

 

2016 Preview

OFFENSE

The competition at QB is between freshman Brandon McIlwain and senior Perry Orth who had a significant amount of playing time last season. Nothing was officially decided during the spring but it appears a near certainty that McIlwain will take the controls at some point this season. Maybe even in week one. Overall, the offense has a lot of question marks. How soon can the offensive line gel? Who are the best options at RB? Are the WRs going to be effective after losing star Pharoh Cooper? Last season South Carolina was ranked 11th in the SEC in total offense and we think they will struggle to beat that ranking this season.

DEFENSE

New HC Will Muschamp has a track record of doing fine work with defenses. Muschamp and DC Travaris Robinson have a lot of work to do, particularly since leading tackler from last season Skai Moore will be unable to play this season due to a neck injury. South Carolina was ranked dead last in the SEC in total defense and they could only register 20 sacks. It is going to take some time to get this unit to perform at a competitive level.

SPECIAL TEAMS

This should be an area of strength for South Carolina. Excellent punter Sean Kelly returns this season as does PK Elliott Fry. The kick return game was very good in 2015 and Rashad Fenton (26.1, 1 TD) is back while a new punter returner will need to be found. 

 

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10)          1.5

MEGALOCKS says

It was not too long ago that South Carolina put together THREE 11-win seasons in a row (2011-2013). New HC Will Muschamp, as well as Gamecock football fans, are going to have to be patient as the program reloads. No doubt we will see some classic Muschamp scowls on the sidelines in 2016.

Overall, we give the GAMECOCKS a 1.5 ATS Value Rating (Avoid) this season. There are so many unknowns with this squad heading into the season, both on offense and defense, that is makes the most sense to us to avoid backing South Carolina until we see them emerge with a reliable identity. Give it some time.

 

Want more South Carolina football?

 

Website  

http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/scar-m-footbl-body.html

Forum                  

http://www.cockytalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

http://gamecocknation.net/forum/2-gamecock-nation/

http://southcarolina.247sports.com/Board

https://southcarolina.forums.rivals.com/forums/fighting-gamecocks-forum.10/

http://www.secrant.com/rant/gamecock-sports/

News

http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/

http://bleacherreport.com/south-carolina-football

http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks

Twitter       

https://twitter.com/GamecockFB               (@GamecockFB)

https://twitter.com/DCTheState                 (@DCTheState)             David Cloninger