5 Reasons South Carolina Football Will Be Better on Defense in 2024:
Better Offense and Special Teams
The hardest thing for a defense to do is to continue playing well (or bounce back from poor play) when they don't get any rest and/or they get put in bad situations from a field position perspective.
Last year's Gamecocks weren't good enough on offense to allow the defense to get consistent breathers, and the special teams were just average, meaning the team's usual ability to flip the field, extend drives, or create extra possessions wasn't as big of a factor as in previous years.
Based on all the updates that have come from the program this offseason, improvements on offense and special teams should present this fall, and, if true, that will have a positive effect on the defense.
If Carolina's rushing attack is better (it was an all-time worst 85 yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry last season), it means drives can be sustained and game clock can be eaten up when necessary. If the passing game can be more consistent thanks to better offensive line play, the defense will face less pressure as the scoreboard will light up more often with points under the section labeled "Gamecocks."
Collectively, punting and kickoff coverage units were the best in the country in 2022. When that dipped last year, it hurt the team's starting field position on defense, leading to more points allowed. If the production returns in the third phase of the game, it could only help the other two phases, as well.