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South Carolina Football: Can Gamecocks overcome brutal schedule in 2019?

By Shane Lunnen

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates with T.J. Brunson
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates with T.J. Brunson /
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(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

How will the Gamecocks fare in 2019?

  • Week 1: vs. North Carolina (Aug. 31)
  • Week 2: Charleston Southern (Sept. 7)
  • Week 3: Alabama (Sept. 14)
  • Week 4: at Missouri (Sept. 21)
  • Week 5: Kentucky (Sept. 28)
  • Week 6: BYE
  • Week 7: at Georgia (Oct. 12)
  • Week 8: Florida (Oct. 19)
  • Week 9: at Tennessee (Oct. 26)
  • Week 10: Vanderbilt (Nov. 2)
  • Week 11: Appalachian State (Nov. 9)
  • Week 12: at Texas A&M (Nov. 16)
  • Week 13: BYE
  • Week 14: Clemson (Nov. 30)

The schedule is, to say the least, brutal. Three of the preseason top four teams are on the schedule in Alabama, Georgia and Clemson. Add in Florida and Texas A&M and those are five tall orders to expect Gamecock victories. South Carolina will be a clear underdog in all.

Outside of Charleston Southern, what other likely wins are there? North Carolina to start the season is a wild card and nobody knows what to expect from Mack Brown’s return to Chapel Hill. South Carolina has more talent on paper than Vanderbilt, but the Commodores could be due for their first win over the Gamecocks in over a decade. Appalachian State is notorious for upsets and always a tough out. Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee or pure toss ups.

If the Gamecocks cannot pull an upset over one of the big boys, but they win just enough of the toss up games, they should still achieve bowl eligibility. Achieving .500 with the talent the roster has would be disappointing, but it is too much to expect much more with this schedule.

Next. Tavien Feaster gives backfield major boost. dark

Prediction: 6-6, 3-5 SEC

Now on the other hand, if the Gamecocks can pull a stunner or two and notch eight or nine wins, Will Muschamp would be in consideration for coach of the year. We will take the safe route though in our prediction.