South Carolina Gamecocks 2022 College Football Preview
August 8, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 7-6
Any reasonable person would have to say that year one of the Shane Beamer extravaganza was a success as they rebounded off a disastrous 2019-2020 run (6-16, .273) to make a bowl game. The COCKS even managed to take down Florida and Auburn in the second half of the campaign, and they care of business in the Mayo Bowl by wiping the floor with North Carolina (W 38-21).
Can these guys take another step forward in 2022?
South Carolina Gamecocks 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The COCKS have been abysmal on offense three years running (22.6 PPG LY, 2nd last SEC) but they made a yuuuuge, and we mean yuuuuge pick-up in the transfer portal by snagging former Oklahoma Sooner QB Spencer Rattler. Rattler wasn’t the most consistent QB with the Sooners but he booked a fine 39-12 TD to INT ratio and has tons of raw talent. The top two WRs are back in the equation and recall that Josh Vann and Jaheim Bell combined for over 1,100 yards and 10 TDs LY, and both men averaged over 15 YPC. They also added crafty TE Austin Stogner from, you guessed it, Oklahoma. They’ve gotta reload at RB with the departure of their top-two backs but they appear to have back-filled nicely with the addition of several transfers including former Demon Deacon Christian Beal-Smith who led Wake Forest in rushing in 2021 (604, 7 TD). The HITS KEEP COMING when you consider that the offensive line boasts over 125 career starts and returns five starters, four of which are upperclassmen. We expect much better things from the offense in 2022.
DEFENSE
South Carolina made a big improvement LY going from allowing 36 and 452 YPG to just 24 and 356 respectively. It’ll be a challenge to stay at that level as they return just five starters on this side of the football and lose three of their top-five tacklers including NFL-bound DL Kingsley Enagbare. The DL/LB units will need to be better vs the run (#11 SEC run D) and it’ll be up to a number of very talented, but unproven specimens to get the job done. The secondary also has something to prove as they lose #1 tackler and stud safety Jaylan Foster (96 tackles, 5 INT LY). Let’s see if Central Michigan safety Devonni Reed can handle the rise in class. The COCKS should still be ok on defense but they’ll need to find a legit pass rusher or two and have some of the young guys take the next step. We’ll call for a decline in overall production.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Losing ace PK Parker White really stings (16-17 FG LY) but they return punter Kai Kroeger (40.0 net) and both primary return doods.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The COCKS have just TWO (!) road games before November rolls around ** and they miss ROLL TIDE from the West. They also have three TURDS in non-conference play.
** fact check true
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 24 – Charlotte
This could be a letdown spot after facing WOO PIG and Georgia in back-to-back weeks.
Season Win Total
Per BetOnline Aug 8
Over 6.5 +120
Under 6.5 -150
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Seven wins is definitely in their wheelhouse, but shop around for a ‘6’.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Over the L10Y, the COCKS have been much better at Williams-Brice Stadium (44-23, .657) than they’ve been in true road games (16-32, .333).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Shane Beamer and friends caught us by surprise last season, and we’re glad that they did. The Vols are starting to look dangerous in the SEC East, so why not the Gamecocks? They’ve now got one of the most-talented QBs in the country on board and they just need to keep playing good defense in order to be a tough out. Let’s do this!!!
Want more South Carolina Football ?
WEBSITE
https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://gamecocknation.net/forum/2-gamecock-nation/
https://southcarolina.forums.rivals.com/forums/fighting-gamecocks-forum.10/
http://www.secrant.com/rant/gamecock-sports/
NEWS
http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/
http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/
https://www.seccountry.com/south-carolina/football-news/football
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2579/south-carolina-gamecocks