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South Carolina Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2022

By Jackson Caudell

South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Jaheim Bell (0) celebrates with teammate South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) after scoring against North Carolina Tar Heels during the DukeÕs Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Thursday, December 30, 2021.Jg Mayobowl 123021 058
South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Jaheim Bell (0) celebrates with teammate South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) after scoring against North Carolina Tar Heels during the DukeÕs Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Thursday, December 30, 2021.Jg Mayobowl 123021 058 /
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After overachieving and winning a bowl game in 2021, can South Carolina football improve upon that mark for the 2022 season?

Before the 2021 season began, South Carolina football was thought to be heading for a two or three-win season and finishing near the bottom of the SEC East.

Despite not having a quarterback for most of the season, the Gamecocks went on to win seven games, including a massive bowl win over North Carolina.

Now, some are expecting South Carolina to take another step under head coach Shane Beamer for the 2022 season. A big reason for that is the addition of former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler was one of the preseason favorites to win the Heisman trophy for the 2021 season, but struggled and was benched in favor of Caleb Williams. Rattler is still very talented and will provide an upgrade at the position that the Gamecocks lacked last season.

Another reason for optimism is that Beamer brought in a solid recruiting class. He is known to be a good recruiter and if South Carolina can build on that success, Beamer is going to have things rolling in Columbia.

However, some of the optimism for this season might be misplaced. South Carolina did overachieve in 2021 and played above their talent level at times. They won some close games and were lucky in some and there is usually negative regression in that category from year to year.

The schedule is also not doing the Gamecocks any favors and that could mean that South Carolina could be a better team on the field, but drop in the standings.

Here are the way-too-early game-by-game predictions for South Carolina in 2022.