South Carolina Football: Best Defenses on the Gamecocks’ 2020 Schedule
By Jacob Elsey
The South Carolina football team faces off against some of the nation’s top teams in 2020, and the Gamecock offense may find it hard to move the ball at times this season.
Each offseason, ESPN’s Bill Connelly releases his projections for where a team’s offense and defense will rank for the upcoming year. He bases these projections off of three variables.
- Returning production
- Recent recruiting
- Recent history
This year, he estimates that eight of South Carolina’s 12 opponents will field defenses that rank among the top 25 in the country. The Gamecocks, themselves, fall into this category, coming in at No. 19 on the list.
Last season, the Carolina offense matched up against six of the nation’s top 25 defenses while starting a true freshman quarterback under center. The results were underwhelming, as the team finished 96th in total offense, averaging 372 yards per game.
The Gamecocks never reached 30 points versus an FBS opponent, and only scored one touchdown over the final three games of the regular season. Offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon was relieved of his play-calling duties and replaced by Mike Bobo.
Bobo will have his work cut out for him, as the Gamecocks lose their top three rushers and record-breaking receiver Bryan Edwards, but there’s reason for hope with Ryan Hilinski back for year two at the helm, and a few very talented options coming in to help out in the backfield.
Now, let’s look at some of those vaunting defenses on the Carolina schedule next season.