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South Carolina Football: 3 reasons the Gamecocks will struggle in 2020

By Celeste Sabin

ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Israel Mukuamu #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after his second interception of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half of their 20-17 second overtime win with J.T. Ibe #29 and R.J. Roderick #10 at Sanford Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Israel Mukuamu #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after his second interception of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half of their 20-17 second overtime win with J.T. Ibe #29 and R.J. Roderick #10 at Sanford Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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South Carolina football is facing an extremely important 2020 season, but there are a few reasons that this team will fall flat.

South Carolina is slated to open the 2020 season on Sept. 26 when the Tennessee Volunteers travel to Columbia to face the Gamecocks.

While the Carolina faithful are hopeful for a winning season and an improvement over the last few years under head coach Will Muschamp, it’s unlikely to come this year.

Let’s discuss the three reasons the Gamecocks will struggle in 2020.

3. COVID-19

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the season opener was postponed, the number of games were reduced, and non-conference opponents were cut from the schedule.

As a result, the Gamecocks will not play Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Wofford or Clemson this season. Instead, they will play Auburn on Oct. 17 and go on the road to face Ole Miss on Nov. 14.

This is the first time since 1908 the “Palmetto Bowl”, the in-state rivalry game between Clemson and South Carolina will not take place. South Carolina will face Georgia the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is when the rivalry game would have taken place.

In addition to the challenges of the schedule change because of the pandemic, several Gamecocks players have opted out of playing this season while maintaining their athletic eligibility.

Early in August, Jordan Rhodes and Mark Fox opted out, but Rhodes opted back in, underwent the COVID-19 testing protocols, and is listed on the depth chart behind starting left guard Sadarius Hutcherson.

In early September, OrTre Smith and Randrecous Davis also opted out of the season.