Back when the Gamecocks were 3-3 on the season and had just lost to Alabama in heartbreaking fashion, the Gamecock fanbase was not loving what head coach Shane Beamer was bringing to the table. Fans were ready with pitchforks and picket signs and searching how much Beamer's buyout was to know if realistically he could be fired or not.
However, since that time, the Gamecocks have won three games in a row to make their record 6-3, became bowl-eligible, and have been labeled by many as the best three-loss team in college football. So, what was the turnaround that has brought fans from circling with torches to praising Beamer for the wins that have brought the team back into the rankings?
Well, it all started with a win over Oklahoma, a team that South Carolina had never played before but a team that Beamer was intimately familiar with. The defense was able to fire on all cylinders, helping the Gamecocks to an early 21-0 lead before the clock was even at 10:00 minutes in the first quarter.
Then a very well-times bye week came for the Gamecocks to celebrate the big win over the Sooners and give the guys time to get healthy, and it also gave Beamer time to hit the recruiting trail. This also gave South Carolina time to gear up for the biggest game of the season against No. 13 Texas A&M. This game was the make-or-break game of the season for the Gamecocks and would either put them on the path they are on right now or put Beamer's job is huge jeopardy.
The good news for South Carolina and Beamer was that the Gamecocks walked away with the win against Texas A&M, and it wasn't a close one that was decided by a field goal or a call by the refs, but it was a convincing win. The defense was the star of the show yet again, but this time, the offense showed lots of life, and the physical running ability of both the running backs and quarterback LaNorris Sellers shined.
All of this was followed up by a solid win over a ranked Vanderbilt team that has surprised everyone this season. The win over Vanderbilt is what turned a 3-3 season into a 6-3 season and gave the Gamecocks bowl eligibility.
So, did Beamer say something magical to his players, or did they just wake up and realize they were better than they were playing? We, as fans, will never know, but there is one thing we know, and that is that Beamer's team is known to finish the season strong, and if this team can do that, they have a slight chance of making the College Football Playoff.