National media outlet bursts the bubble of one of Tennessee's SEC rivals
Entering the 2023 season, most college football analysts view the Georgia Bulldogs as the overwhelming favorites to win the SEC East with the Tennessee Vols finishing second. Most of those same analysts have the South Carolina Gamecocks finishing third in the SEC East (a couple of analysts, though, have South Carolina finishing second above Tennessee). […]
Entering the 2023 season, most college football analysts view the Georgia Bulldogs as the overwhelming favorites to win the SEC East with the Tennessee Vols finishing second.
Most of those same analysts have the South Carolina Gamecocks finishing third in the SEC East (a couple of analysts, though, have South Carolina finishing second above Tennessee).
The Gamecocks are receiving some hype after salvaging their 2022 season with wins against Tennessee and Clemson in the final two weeks of the regular season. Prior to those two wins, the Gamecocks were 6-4 and coming off tough losses to Missouri and Florida.
South Carolina's big wins against Tennessee and Clemson seemingly erased the concerns that existed after a 38-6 blowout loss to the Gators.
At least one national media outlet, however, is choosing to not ignore the red flags that South Carolina showed for most of the 2022 season.
On3 listed South Carolina this week as one of five programs that are "positioned for regression" in 2023.
From On3: While South Carolina was hit fairly hard by the transfer portal this offseason, Shane Beamer’s program still has plenty of momentum entering Year 3. But 2023 could be a bumpy ride — even if the coaching staff and roster continue to improve. Dowell Loggains could be an upgrade at OC. Quarterback Spencer Rattler might play much more consistently. Maybe South Carolina will figure out how to stop the run a little better (No. 116 nationally in 2022). All those things could happen and the Gamecocks will still have to just claw their way to a bowl game. They have 10 Power 5 teams on their schedule — including three Top 25 teams in the first month of the season (North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee). None at home. They play at Texas A&M and have Clemson in the finale, too. Beamer has exceeded expectations in both seasons in Columbia, but for a program that has eyes on becoming a legitimate contender in the SEC, that doesn’t look like a reality in 2023.
South Carolina showed some flashes of potential under Shane Beamer last season with their wins against Tennessee and Clemson. But putting more importance on those wins than the tough losses that the Gamecocks suffered last season would be unwise.
On3 isn't falling for it. Instead, they think the South Carolina hype train needs to hit the brakes.
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Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
