We are 17 days away from kicking off against North Carolina State in Charlotte. I will go ahead and point out that it is entirely too early to make season predictions, but we’re going to do it anyways. If you’ve been listening to our podcast, The Spurs Up Show, it’s clear that we are excited about the upcoming season. Chris and I believe the Gamecocks are due for massive improvements on both sides of the ball, but I’m not sure if those will translate to wins. Last season, South Carolina’s strength of schedule was ranked anywhere from 50-70th in the nation. This season, ESPN’s Football Power Index has South Carolina’s strength of schedule at fifth in the nation. With the Gamecocks gaining experience and adding young talent on both sides of the ball, will they have what it takes to get over the hump?

North Carolina State – September 2nd – Charlotte, North Carolina

North Carolina State is coming off of a promising, yet underwhelming 7-6 season. The Wolfpack were within a score away from beating Clemson and Florida State, and had bad losses against Boston College and East Carolina. However underwhelming 2016 was, 2017 is looking extremely promising for Dave Doeren’s squad. North Carolina State’s defensive line could very possibly be the best in the country, something South Carolina’s offensive line is going to have tons of trouble with. The Gamecocks defense is going to have to step up. The Wolfpack lose their leading rusher in Matthew Dayes, who rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored ten touchdowns. Although the line is six points in NC State’s favor, I truly think this one is a toss up.

North Carolina State Wins… 0-1

@ Missouri – September 9th – Columbia, Missouri

The Battle of Columbia has been a pretty interesting rivalry since the inception in 2012. The Gamecocks beat Missouri a year ago 31-21 on the back of the Gamecock offense. Missouri returns ten starters on offense from a team that torched the Gamecocks for 465 total yards. The good news for the Gamecocks is that the Tigers’ defense is still atrocious. With an improved Gamecock defense, I don’t see the Tigers repeating their performance a year ago.

South Carolina Wins… 1-1

Vs Kentucky – September 16th – Columbia, South Carolina

Oh man. This game is going to be ammunition for Clemson fans everywhere and I don’t even care. I’m so excited for this game and it says a lot about the Gamecock football program and where it’s been the past few years. Losing to Kentucky three years in a row is almost as bad as losing to The Citadel once. Unfortunately, Kentucky is going to be a run heavy offense again in 2017. The Wildcats ran for over 3,000 yards as a team last year and return their starting QB and RB. Offense won’t be a worry for the Wildcats, but much like Missouri, their defense will. Kentucky will likely be a pretty decent team this season, but with everything that has happened in the past couple years there’s no way the Gamecocks lose at home under the lights. If they do, all hell will break loose in Columbia.

South Carolina Wins… 2-1

Vs Louisiana Tech – September 23rd – Columbia, South Carolina

Skip Holtz has won nine games in three consecutive seasons at Louisiana Tech. In each of those three seasons, the offense has continuously gotten better and the defense has continuously gotten worse. This could end up being one of the high scoring affairs such as the one we saw against Western Carolina last year where the Gamecocks couldn’t get out of our their own way. The Gamecocks will probably be a two-score favorite in this one and I expect them to cover.

South Carolina Wins… 3-1

@ Texas A&M – September 30th – College Station, Texas

Going into Texas A&M is going to be just as tough of a test for South Carolina as Florida and Clemson were last season. Texas A&M loses QB Trevor Knight, Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Josh Reynolds off of their offense. On defense, they lose the #1 overall pick Myles Garrett, Daeshon Hall, and Shaan Washington. All of these things sound great, but it is just hard to imagine the Gamecocks going into College Station and winning. On paper I think the Gamecocks are the better team, but I think the Gamecocks lose this one in a close game.

Texas A&M wins… 3-2

Vs Arkansas – October 7th – Columbia, SC

Arkansas QB Austin Allen had a tremendous start to his 2016 season until a bruised knee against Auburn set the stage for the rest of the season. In the Razorbacks’ final three SEC losses, the offense struggled immensely at taking care of the football in the red zone. Arkansas loses their starting RB Rawleigh Williams after a neck injury in the spring game forced him to retire. This leaves some uncertainty in the backfield, but Arkansas has never had a tough time running the ball against the Gamecocks. After the Gamecocks face run heavy teams like Kentucky and NC State, they should be prepared for whatever Arkansas throws at them. The Razorbacks’ defense is under new control and is a huge question mark going into the season. Last season, Arkansas gave up a school record 39 rushing touchdowns. Rico Dowdle and Ty’Son Williams are due to have a field day, which is why I’m taking the Gamecocks.

South Carolina wins… 4-2

@ Tennessee – October 14th – Knoxville, Tennessee

After the first six games, things get very interesting on the schedule. Tennessee was ranked #24 in the coaches poll, and I’m not sure why that is. The Volunteers are replacing their leading passer, leading rusher, and two All-Americans on defense. The Vols are also without Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who could’ve very easily been an All-American as well if he didn’t get injured. Tennessee will likely still have a stellar defense, and a great offensive line. The QB battle between Dormady and Guarantano will be interesting, but whoever wins is going to have a tough time finding quality receivers. Jake Bentley will likely struggle in his first appearance at Neyland, but I believe the Gamecocks will take either A&M or Tennessee on the road and I’m choosing the Vols.

South Carolina wins… 5-2

Vs. Vanderbilt – October 28th – Columbia, South Carolina

The Commodores return star RB Ralph Webb, but replace two starters on the offensive line. On defense, Vanderbilt loses likely it’s best defensive player in school history, Zach Cunningham. Quarterback Kyle Shurmer looked promising in his last two games against Ole Miss and Tennessee, but doesn’t have what it takes for Vanderbilt to take down the Gamecocks at home.

South Carolina Wins… 6-2

@ Georgia – November 4th – Athens, Georgia

Georgia is picked to finish second in the SEC East by most writers, but they are my pick to win it. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are as good as they come in the entire country, and are the best two RB’s South Carolina will face all season. Jacob Eason was wildly inaccurate last season, but I think his weapons will make him look a lot better. The Georgia defense finished 16th in the country last season in total defense, and will likely be even better this season. The Bulldogs are returning eleven starters on defense and are going to be a handful up front. Bulldogs win big at home.

Georgia wins… 6-3

Vs. Florida – November 11th – Columbia, South Carolina

Only South Carolina scored less touchdowns than the Florida Gators in the SEC last season. The Florida quarterback battle is an interesting one that Malik Zaire will probably win. Austin Appleby went 17-21 against South Carolina last season in the Swamp, which is certainly cause for concern. Antonio Callaway is another guy that has given South Carolina trouble in the past. He had some huge catches against the Gamecocks in 2015, and last season he had 48 receiving yards to go with his 100 punt return yards. The Gators defense is as good as ever. If there’s a weakness for the Gators on defense, it is at corner. Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson left for the NFL and the only way that the Gamecocks can compete is if Jake Bentley can expose the inexperience in the secondary. As of August 10th, I don’t think the Gamecocks have the speed and physicality to beat Florida. Just like the Texas A&M game, I may change my mind later.

Florida wins… 6-4

Vs. Wofford – November, 18th – Columbia, South Carolina

They’re not The Citadel

Gamecocks win… 7-4

Vs. Clemson – November 25th – Columbia, South Carolina

“Never again.” Clemson is still loaded, while losing their leading passer, rusher, and receiver. The Tigers still have Tavien Feaster, CJ Fuller, Hunter Renfrow, and Deon Cain as weapons on offense. The Quarterback situation isn’t solidified yet, but it will be between Kelly Bryant and Hunter Johnson. Most people seem to believe that Bryant will start the season, with Johnson being the starter by the end of the season. The defensive line is going to give the Gamecocks offensive line the same fits they gave them last year. Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence are going to be even better this season, along with an experienced secondary. The Gamecocks still aren’t on the same level as Clemson, no matter what Jake Bentley says.

Clemson wins… 7-5