A South Carolina football Christmas wish list

The South Carolina football team enters the holiday season with a bowl victory on the mind. This December’s meeting with North Carolina will be the Gamecocks’ first postseason appearance since 2018. While reaching the seven-win mark in year one under Shane Beamer is high on the Christmas wish list, South Carolina football fans have a few other items for Santa, too.

South Carolina far exceeded expectations in 2021. They outmatched oddsmakers’ predictions of a 4-8 final record. They notched huge SEC upsets over Auburn and Florida. They did all of this with a first-year head coach and a brand-new staff. Even with the season-ending loss to Clemson, the Gamecocks have to feel good about where they stand heading into the postseason.

While things are trending up, the program still has a ways to go before getting back to the levels seen when Steve Spurrier was roaming the sidelines. The defense was far improved but the offense struggled yet again. Had that unit been just a bit better, the Gamecocks likely land wins over Kentucky and Missouri, too.

Still, coaches and fans feel like they’re getting closer to relevance with just a few pieces missing for success. What’s on the South Carolina football Christmas wish list as we creep closer to the New Year?

A South Carolina football win over the ACC.

First things first. The upcoming bowl game represents another chance to land an elusive win over one their former conference members. We know about the seven-game skid to instate rival Clemson, but the Gamecocks have also dropped contests to Virginia and North Carolina over the last few years.

The program currently finds itself on a six-game losing streak to ACC opponents. The last win came back in 2017 over North Carolina State. In its last 12 matchups against ACC foes, the Gamecocks are just 3-9. South Carolina posted an 8-2 mark in the 10 ACC meetings prior. They’re looking to get back to that success.

This current losing skid began with a loss to Virginia in the Belk Bowl in 2018. It seems fitting that the Gamecocks can end the streak with a win over North Carolina in the same location.

A QB for Christmas? South Carolina football hopes so.

The Gamecocks were wildly inconsistent under center this year. It started with Luke Doty breaking his foot in the preseason. He attempted to play through the pain, but he was never 100%. Graduate assistant turned starting quarterback Zeb Noland was up next. While he picked up close wins over Vanderbilt and East Carolina, he left much to be desired in terms of offensive production.

South Carolina finally turned to transfer Jason Brown, who gave the team its best output, but turnovers and inconsistency led to him losing two of his four starts. Now, the Gamecocks could be in the market for a proven signal caller to help lead them through the 2022 season.

And there are a few high-profile options currently on the market. Rumors began swirling regarding Shane Beamer’s relationship with Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler a few weeks ago. Could the former Heisman candidate land in Columbia?

Rattler could be a long shot to wind up on the East Coast but there’s also a former SEC starting quarterback being linked to the Gamecocks. LSU signal caller Max Johnson entered the transfer portal following the hiring of Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge. The Gamecocks recruited the Georgia native before his commitment to the Tigers and there is an existing relationship with the gunslinger. Zeb Noland’s dad was Johnson’s high school coach.

Landing either of these proven passers in the portal would give the offense a huge boost. South Carolina will keep their fingers crossed that their wishes come true.

South Carolina football needs offense

Piggybacking on the previous wish, South Carolina fans want to see points. The Gamecocks finished the year ranked 109th in the nation in scoring. It was the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the team was rated 99th or worse in offensive output.

The Gamecocks have to figure out a way to get their playmakers the ball. There is talent at running back and tight end. Improvements at quarterback and along the offensive line would help drastically.

Hopefully the staff can attack the recruiting trail hard in these areas to quickly produce a capable unit. Until the South Carolina football team proves it can score points, they’ll remain near the bottom of the SEC standings.