South Carolina football: predicting the final SEC East standings
By Jacob Elsey
![South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Israel Mukuamu (24). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Israel Mukuamu (24). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/db3b5861d1a2e00d5e52e7c1cb8f4af9fa871328e31f8e1b8dc6d93f152969a1.jpg)
Where will South Carolina football finish in the SEC East?
5. Missouri Tigers
Missouri was up and down last season, being blown out by Alabama and Tennessee in their first two games before upsetting a top 20 team in LSU. The rest of the season was much of the same, with blowout losses coming against Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi State.
The Tigers did manage to win five games in conference, only one of which came by more than 10 points. Take away a 41-0 win over Vanderbilt and the average margin of victory in their SEC wins came by less than six points. That includes a seven-point win against a South Carolina team that had saw its starting secondary leave the team after Will Muschamp’s firing. Missouri’s five losses came by an average of 24 points.
They may not be that lucky in close games next year, and the blowouts could be a better indication of the 2021 season.
4. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina is looking to end a current six-game losing streak by getting off to a hot start in the 2021 campaign. If the team can load up on a few SEC wins in the first half of the slate, it could help build confidence moving into a brutal second half.
The Gamecocks start conference play with a road trip to Athens, but after that, matchups with Kentucky, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt follow. All three of those games are winnable, and a 2-2 start in the league isn’t out of the question.
Losses to Florida and Texas A&M are likely late in the year, but Missouri and Auburn present two more chances to steal a win. Realistically, the Gamecocks can get to 4-4 in league action if the ball bounces their way, though 3-5 may be more likely.