Why David Pollack has high hopes for South Carolina football entering 2026 season

The expectations for the South Carolina Gamecocks entering the 2026 season aren't exactly sky-high, to say the least. Following a 4-8 season in Columbia and a difficult 2026 schedule, the Gamecocks were picked to finish 11th in the preseason SEC Media Days poll. 

But one analyst who is high on the Gamecocks entering 2026 is former ESPN "College GameDay" analyst David Pollack. Pollack, who hosts a college football podcast titled "See Ball Get Ball," recently spoke about why South Carolina fans should be excited about the Gamecocks' 2026 outlook. 

First, he described star EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart as a player with an ability to "take over" a game, as well as quarterback LaNorris Sellers. He then discussed the offseason additions of both new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, as well as star offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak from the transfer portal. 

“You make the adjustment this offseason, LaNorris Sellers improves with a new OC," Pollack said. Kendal Briles is the offensive coordinator who has been a TCU he was very very good. The o-line was a huge, huge weakness. South Carolina addressed it aggressively into the portal—eight transfers on the offensive line headlined by [Jacarrius] Peak from NC State at left tackle. 

You’ve got dudes. You’ve got ability, you've got game changers, you better watch the heck out man. This is gonna be one of those teams I think that surprises people, they’re gonna be ranked at some point. They’re gonna be competitive in big games. They get a potential late season surge man, Beamer makes some Beamer Ball Magic—9 wins? They get there and get into the Playoff conversation again. They were two years ago because of those game changing guys that are still on the roster."  

Here's a look at Pollock's full comments: 

While it is true that the offseason changes Beamer made entering 2026 were very encouraging. But it's important to note that two of South Carolina's biggest stars in Peak and Stewart are currently nursing injuries, as Peak suffered a knee injury in the late winter, and Stewart has been rehabbing back from a back injury he played through during most of last season. While Coach Beamer said last week at SEC Media Days that both guys are progressing well, they have yet to be fully cleared for contact just yet. 

The other factor to consider here is that South Carolina has to navigate one of the toughest schedules in all of college football next season. It includes big SEC games against the likes of Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma on the road, including games against Tennessee, Texas A&M and Georgia at home before the regular-season finale against Clemson, also on the road. But the Gamecocks did finish 9-4 in 2024, with several of those guys still on the roster in Columbia.

South Carolina fans are certainly hoping Pollack's predictions on South Carolina will come true in 2026. The Gamecocks will open the 2026 season at home against Kent State on Sept. 5 at 12:45 p.m. ET.

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