South Carolina enters the 2015 season with plenty of questions on both sides of the ball.
But the Gamecocks can never be counted out of a game with Steve Spurrier at the helm. The Head Ball Coach has a talented roster that has seen prognosticators predict them to finish with anywhere from four to nine wins this season.
SEC Network analysts Jabari Greer and Greg McElroy recently got together to predict South Carolina’s 2015 record. They started with some sure results before getting into games in contention:
- at Georgia, loss
- vs. Central Florida, win
- vs. Vanderbilt, win
- vs. The Citadel, win
The Gamecocks have beaten Georgia in Athens before, the most recent road victory coming in 2011 behind quarterback Stephen Garcia.
The Bulldogs likely will win this year’s contest, but expect South Carolina to hang with their SEC East rivals. South Carolina and Georgia games have been decided by 10 points or less eight times in Steve Spurrier’s 10 years in Columbia.
After the “sure” results, South Carolina enters the games in contention with a 3-1 record.
Now for the tough-to-decide contests:
SEPT. 3 — NORTH CAROLINA VS. SOUTH CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE, N.C.)
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “I think South Carolina has been more battle-tested, they have some experience defensively and I think they’re going to be significantly improved. So I’m taking the Gamecocks against the Tar Heels.”
Greer: “I’m taking the Gamecocks, as well. Not by the stats and who they have, I just think that the emotions of the game, when they play North Carolina, the rivalry of that interstate game will be something that goes to South Carolina.”
SEPT. 12 — KENTUCKY AT SOUTH CAROLINA
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “They’re (Kentucky under Mark Stoops) going to be a lot better, however, I do not think they can go on the road, (contend with) “Sandstorm” and get a win in Columbia, so I’m taking the Gamecocks once again to get off to a 2-0 start.”
Greer: “South Carolina always plays great at home and I think with that crowd it’s something that you cannot minimize, so I have South Carolina winning that one, as well.”
OCT. 3 — SOUTH CAROLINA AT MISSOURI
Predicted result: Loss
McElroy: “Going on the road, way too difficult a task, in my opinion. Connor Mitch struggles against an opportunistic defense. I think Maty Mauk tears apart a defense that’s still trying to find itself, so I’m going with Missouri at home over South Carolina.”
Greer: “I say they beat Missouri, because they have beat Missouri two of the last three years. And the only time they’ve lost to Missouri was by one point. So I think that even though Missouri is a top-25 team, South Carolina has Missouri’s number. They know how to beat this team.”
Host Peter Burns played the “bad guy” and gave the slight edge to McElroy and the Tigers’ home-field advantage and determined the game to be a Gamecock loss.
OCT. 10 — LSU AT SOUTH CAROLINA
Predicted result: Loss
McElroy: “Way too physical on the line of scrimmage. LSU dominates this game top to bottom, even though they don’t have the quarterback play to take advantage of the problems in the secondary of South Carolina. I think LSU wins this one on the road in Columbia.”
Greer: “I actually have LSU because, South Carolina, the number that speaks the loudest is 212 yards rushing allowed per game, second-worst in the SEC. And you have Leonard Fournette coming to town, I don’t think that number is going to get smaller any time soon, so I have South Carolina losing that one.”
OCT. 31 — SOUTH CAROLINA AT TEXAS A&M
Predicted result: Loss
McElroy: “We saw how Texas A&M played last year on the road, very poised, very controlled. Jake Spavital, the offensive coordinator for the Aggies, clearly knows the game plan in order to take advantage of a lack of a pass rush. So I’m going with the Aggies because I saw them do it last year.”
Greer: “I’m going with the Aggies, as well. By the numbers 52-28 last year (laughs).”
NOV. 7 — SOUTH CAROLINA AT TENNESSEE
Predicted result: Loss
McElroy: “At Tennessee I think this is a really difficult game for Tennessee, to tell you the truth. They’ll be coming home, going against a team that they’re better than. I got to go with Tennessee, though, protecting Neyland Stadium and home field.”
Greer: “I’m going Tennessee, as well. Too many weapons on the Tennessee side, great receivers, big-time quarterback, I think they’re going to lose.”
NOV. 14 — FLORIDA AT SOUTH CAROLINA
Predicted result: Win
McElroy: “I like South Carolina. I don’t think Florida has enough on the offensive line to be able to control the line of scrimmage. I’m taking South Carolina.”
Greer: “Steve Spurrier has always had Florida’s number (at South Carolina). He comes to play.”
NOV. 28 — CLEMSON AT SOUTH CAROLINA
Predicted result: Loss
McElroy: “I’m not taking them against Clemson. I got them at 6-6. It’s going to be a tough year, but I think a year to build on with some of the young talent they have.”
Greer: “I have them losing, as well. Big-time quarterback and big-time running back for Clemson, it’s going to be hard to win.”
FINAL PREDICTED RECORD: 6-6
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
