Through five games of the 2025 season, South Carolina finds itself at the bottom of the SEC in total offense, and near the bottom defensively. According to official SEC statistics, the Gamecocks rank dead last in total offense, posting just 1,543 total yards (499 rushing and 1,044 passing) on 288 plays, averaging 5.4 yards per play and 308.6 yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, South Carolina sits 11th in total defense, allowing 1,617 total yards (716 rushing, 901 passing) through five games, an average of 323.4 yards per game.
SEC Offensive & Defensive Rankings (Through 5 Games, 2025)
Source: SECSports.com
For comparison, the Missouri Tigers lead the league offensively with 2,738 yards and an average of 547.6 yards per game, while Oklahoma tops the defensive rankings, allowing an average of just 3.5 yards per play.
The disparity highlights what's become the defining storyline of South Carolina's season: inconsistency. The Gamecocks have shown flashes of explosiveness at times behind star quarterback LaNorris Sellers, but extended drives have been rare and red-zone efficiency remains an issue. The rushing attack, averaging under 100 yards per game, has also failed to find rhythm behind a banged-up offensive line.
Defensively, the picture isn't much brighter. Missed tackles, slow starts, and late-game collapses have haunted the D-line. Still, there have been some explosive and impressive plays, and the numbers show South Carolina isn't far from the middle of the pack. A few more key stops could swing momentum in the right direction.
As Shane Beamer's team enters a brutal five-game stretch featuring matchups against five ranked opponents, the Gamecocks' margin for error is razor thin. Improvements on both sides of the ball isn't just optional, it's survival at this point.