No room for error, Gamecocks strive for a successful 2018 season

Two years ago coach Will Muschamp inherited a South Carolina football team that managed just three victories in 2015. The Gamecocks improved to six wins in their first season under Muschamp. Then, they won nine last season.

At that rate South Carolina should be in store for a 12-win season in 2018, right?

Well, maybe not. Even in the soft SEC East, South Carolina doesn’t have much room for error with a schedule that includes Georgia, Clemson and Texas A&M, which the Gamecocks have never beaten. But they could be at least as successful — if not more — than they were last season.

The hopes for a continued climb are heavily dependent on emerging junior quarterback Jake Bentley, the return of dynamic receiver Deebo Samuel and linebackers T.J. Brunson and Bryson Allen-Williams.

Bentley passed for 2,794 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. Samuel scored six touchdowns in just over two games before a leg injury ended his season prematurely.

Brunson and Allen-Williams, who missed 10 games last season with a shoulder injury, head a defense that allowed an average of just 20.7 points per game in ’17.

However, a subpar offensive line has to be bolstered and some holes in the secondary must be filled. If those issued are addressed the Gamecocks could make a serious bid for a double-digit win total.

But 12 victories still may be too much for which to hope.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Coach: Will Muschamp
2017 record: 9-4, 5-3 in the SEC
Postseason result: Defeated Michigan 26-19 in the Outback Bowl

2018 schedule

Sept. 1 vs. Coastal Carolina
Sept. 8 vs. Georgia
Sept. 15 vs. Marshall
Sept. 22 at Vanderbilt
Sept. 29 at Kentucky
Oct. 6 vs. Missouri
OCT. 13 VS. TEXAS A&M
Oct. 27 vs. Tennessee
Nov. 3 at Ole Miss
Nov. 10 at Florida
Nov. 17 vs. Chattanooga
Nov. 24 at Clemson

Returning starters (at least six starts)

• Offense (8): G Zack Bailey, QB Jake Bentley, T Dennis Daley, WR Bryan Edwards, WR OrTre Smith, WR Shi Smith, C Donnell Stanley, RB A.J. Turner
• Defense (5): LB T.J. Brunson, CB Rashad Fenton, DT Javon Kinlaw, DE Keir Thomas, DE D.J. Wonnum
• Special teams (3): P Joseph Charlton, KOR A.J. Turner, K Parker White

Area of strength: The Gamecocks have a glut of explosiveness at the skill positions. Junior quarterback Jake Bentley had a breakout sophomore year in which he passed for 2,794 yards and 18 touchdowns. A.J. Turner is a productive, though unspectacular running back who rushed for 571 yards last season while sharing carries with Ty’Son Williams and Rico Dowdle. South Carolina is especially deep at receiver. Bryan Edwards had 64 catches last season, while OrTre Smith and She Smith combined for 59. More importantly, big-play threat Deebo Samuel returns after missing 10 games with leg injury.

Area of concern: Although three starters return, the offensive line is worrisome. In 2018 the Gamecocks averaged just 122 rushing yards to rank 111th in the nation. The Gamecocks also allowed 29 sacks to rank 75th in pass protection. Senior guard Zack Bailey is a proven commodity. The jury is out on the rest.

Top three players

• Deebo Samuel, WR: The Gamecocks’ version of Christian Kirk. Samuel is a lightning bolt that can make spectacular plays as a receiver and kick returner. He played less than three full games before being sidelined by injury last season, but still scored six touchdowns — two on kickoff returns. He has 86 career receptions for 1,194 yards and 15 touchdowns.
• Jake Bentley, QB: He’s just coming into his own and very well could emerge as one of South Carolina’s best quarterbacks ever. A starter since his freshman year, Bentley has passed for 4,214 yards and 27 touchdowns in his brief career while completing 63.3 percent of his attempts.
• T.J. Brunson, LB: Brunson emerged as a top-flight linebacker as a sophomore last season by posting 88 tackles and recovering three fumbles. He closed last season with 13 tackles and two sacks in an Outback Bowl victory over Michigan. He’ll be looking to build on that breakout year.

Impact newcomer: Does the name Nick Harvey ring a bell? The former Texas A&M cornerback is a grad transfer and projects as a starter in the Gamecocks’ secondary. But at what position? He arrived expecting to play cornerback and drew raves from coach Will Muschamp. Lately, he’s getting a strong look at safety. 

Predicted finish: 9-3