South Carolina football: five bold predictions for the upcoming season
By Jacob Elsey
1. GAMECOCKS FIELD TOP 5 SEC DEFENSE
Last year, South Carolina’s defense managed to finish in the middle of the pack in both scoring (53rd nationally) and total defense (66th) despite having an offense that couldn’t stay on the field. The Gamecocks ranked 117th in time of possession.
The hope is that new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo can roll out a unit that takes some pressure off of Will Muschamp’s defense, and allows them to catch their breath on the sidelines a little more often. And the defense should have some playmakers in Jaycee Horn, Jammie Robinson, Israel Mukuamu, and Ernest Jones.
The Gamecocks have recruited well along the defensive front over the last few cycles, too, bringing in five-star prospects Zacch Pickens and Jordan Burch. Coach Muschamp feels really good about the unit he’s got coming back to Columbia, and with a little help from the offense, this defense will make a leap into the top half of the SEC.