Midseason grades for South Carolina as the Gamecocks enter a bye week

What a difference a week makes. This time last week before the Florida game many fans—myself included— were readying for what felt like an inevitable coaching change. In fact, many fans like myself were calling for one.

And, in classic Gamecock fashion, the team showed up when you least expected it to.

The word that comes to mind is response. The roster and coaching staff responded with their best game of the year, on the road, when their backs were against the wall. That notably includes Shane Beamer.

So let’s take stock and grade where the team is at as we enter the open week.

Grading South Carolina halfway through the season

Offense: B+

If not for a couple of head scratching fourth down calls, this would be an A. The Kendal Briles hire has produced the results we hoped it would. The Gamecocks are averaging over 37 points per game and are first in the SEC in rushing yards per game. The offensive line looks night and day from what we have bared witness to over the last couple of seasons and LaNorris Sellers seems to be returning to the version of him that we fell in love with.

Of course, there is still room to grow. Drops have been an issue in the passing game, and something that has to be fixed during the back half of the year. Procedural penalties have also plagued this unit at times. So while there is room for improvement, the offense has generally been a highlight for the team to this point.

Defense: C

Conversely from the offense, if not for a strong recent performance, this would have been a lower grade. For now, it’s a passing grade. Clayton White’s unit returned to form against Florida and that is a great sign. The defense generated three turnovers and was able to consistently affect the quarterback, which have been calling cards for the Gamecocks under White. The return of a healthy, seemingly level-headed Dylan Stewart has also made a real impact.

However, up until the Florida game, it was a much different story in SEC play. Twice the defense squandered multiple score leads in route to a loss and even during the Florida game, there have been far too many blown coverages. The word "miscommunication" has said so many times in postgame press conferences that it’s starting to feel like a team sponsor.

Yet, this is a talented unit. If they play together they can be a formidable group.

Overall: B-

Maybe it’s recency bias, but I feel like the arrow is pointing up for the Gamecocks. The fanbase is certainly annoyed and frustrated by the blown leads, and t begs the question of where the team would be if even one game went in favor of South Carolina. However, the Gamecocks proved they have the talent to compete, and take leads against a pair of teams that have done well so far this year. If the team was simply not competitive in all three losses that would be a different story.

The response against Florida tells me, as a fan, that there is fight left in the team and they are playing for each other and taking the coaching and any change in approach to heart. I also believe that Beamer tweaked his messaging and philosophy before the last game and that would also be a great sign.

Sitting at 3-3 with six games to play, the Gamecocks still have an opportunity to salvage a good season. The back half of the schedule feels less daunting than it once did and there’s a trio of home games to boot. If both units can continue to improve on the mistakes that hurt them earlier this year, South Carolina has more than a chance to win in any game.

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