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South Carolina Football: Are Gamecocks dark-horse 2017 SEC contenders?

By Erich Hilkert

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs onto the field with his team before their game against the Western Carolina Catamounts on November 19, 2016 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages)
COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs onto the field with his team before their game against the Western Carolina Catamounts on November 19, 2016 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages) /
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Will Muschamp had a strong turnaround in his first year with South Carolina football, but can he turn the Gamecocks into an SEC contender in year two?

Alabama is the favorite to win the SEC, although Florida and Georgia are the favorites in the East. Even most pundits consider Kentucky the obvious dark-horse choice, but South Carolina could fit that role, too, for several reasons.

The passing game

Jake Bentley is still an unproven commodity in many ways. That said, he had an impressive freshman season while starting seven games. He was integral to the team’s upset win against Tennessee, even if he later looked awful against Clemson.

South Carolina will be in better shape simply by having a clear-cut starting quarterback and certainly one of the best in the SEC East. South Carolina’s defense exceeded expectations last season, but the offense struggled, finishing at the bottom of the SEC in scoring. Yet, it should be noted that the offense averaged 26.6 points per game once Bentley took over as starter, while the team averaged 14 points per game prior to Bentley becoming starter.

With Bentley at quarterback and the Gamecocks boasting one of the best receiving corps in the SEC, the passing game should be a major strength for the program. Deebo Samuel is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the SEC and will likely also see time as a Wildcat quarterback. Bryan Edwards was probably the best freshman receiver in the conference in 2016 and tight end Hayden Hurst is among the better tight ends in the SEC.

The offensive line is among the conference’s best, although four of five starters from last season return. The team hired new offensive line coach Eric Wolford and Muschamp emphasized toughness in the trenches the entire offseason.

COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 29: Jake Bentley #4. (Photo by Tyler Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 29: Jake Bentley #4. (Photo by Tyler Lecka/Getty Images) /

Muschamp guiding the defense

Obviously, the toughness mantra was also directed at the defensive line and really the whole team. Muschamp made significant strides in overhauling the defense last season. Opposing teams scored 28 points or less in 10 of the team’s 13 games last season. Muschamp’s squad held opposing SEC offenses to just 21 points per game. In 2015, that number was 30.4 points per game, a significant reduction in one year.

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On paper, South Carolina looks better on offense. However, Muschamp is known for being a defensive guru. Florida’s impressive run the past two years has been predicated on the defensive prowess Muschamp recruited while in Gainesville.

The Gamecocks lost the team’s best pass rusher in Darius English, but get Skai Moore back from injury. When healthy, Moore is one of the top linebackers in the conference.

With Muschamp guiding the defense, the Gamecocks have a legitimate chance to win the East in 2017 despite having low expectations.

Schedule

A final factor to consider for South Carolina being a potential SEC contender is the team’s schedule. Let’s be clear: the Gamecocks aren’t facing the easiest slate but also not the most challenging. Georgia must play Auburn on the road, Tennessee faces Alabama and LSU and Florida faces LSU. South Carolina isn’t getting off easy, though, with Arkansas and Texas A&M, but it definitely seems easier than Alabama and LSU.

South Carolina beat Tennessee last season, so that game doesn’t seem as intimidating. Additionally, South Carolina plays Kentucky and Florida at home. Florida in the comfort of home confines is no small consideration. The Gators finished last season undefeated at home. The program hasn’t fared so well on the road under head coach Jim McElwain. South Carolina does play Georgia between the hedges at Sanford Stadium, no easy task.

Next: SEC: 5 teams that can dethrone Alabama in 2017

Then again, no SEC schedule is free or clear of challenges. On the whole, South Carolina has the potential to be in contention with the 2017 schedule.