South Carolina Football Win/Loss Prediction: 2022-23
Can South Carolina finish with another winning season in 2022? Or will we see the Gamecocks fall back below the .500 mark?
I hate to sound like a broken record but in my other prediction pieces for this conference, I have given high praise for Shane Beamer’s squad. They have not won double-digit games as a program since 2013. However, this offseason has been one of the most productive ones in a while. The addition of former OU quarterback Spencer Rattler and many other talented transfer is giving this program hopes for 2022. That being said, let’s check out the South Carolina Gamecocks 2022 schedule.
Week One, Home Game vs Georgia State
The 2022 season kicks off with a non-conference game against Georgia State. After all the hype around this transfer class, this will be the perfect “under the lights” premiere for Rattler. Sure it won’t be a perfect debut but expect this too be a game where the passing game flourishes. The defense will have no issue with the Georgia State and this will be game Gamecocks fans will want to be at. Gamecocks win this game by a whole bunch.
Score Prediction: South Carolina 34, Georgia State 14
Week Two, Away Game vs Arkansas
After what should be an easy opening game to the season, a tough week two matchup with Arkansas is up next. The Razorbacks are going to be a legit team in the SEC in 2022. While the Gamecocks won’t be blown out by any means, the Arkansas offense will be too dynamic for the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks aren’t as talented as the Razorbacks on the line of scrimmage offensively and will not be able to move the football on the ground to counter Barry Odom’s defensive scheme.
Score Prediction: Arkansas 42, South Carolina 24
Week Three, Home Game vs Georgia
The matchup with Arkansas will be tough but hosting the Georgia Bulldogs will be even worse. Sure Spencer Rattler has the talent to keep the Gamecocks competitive but not for long. Georgia may have lost most of the elite players from last year’s team and South Carolina has reloaded but it will not be enough. That being said, Georgia will win this game with their most reliable piece, the defense. Give me Georgia in a close game that will show that South Carolina is no pushover, at least in 2022.
Week Four, Home Game vs Charlotte
The schedule will then ease back up with a home game against Charlotte. If South Carolina is coming off two losses they will want to get back on their feet in this game. I won’t waste your time with a detailed analysis here. Rattler leads this team in a huge win with a stat filled day overall.
Score Prediction: South Carolina 52, Charlotte 10
Week Five, Home Game vs South Carolina State
Week five brings what should be another easy win for the Gamecocks. South Carolina has a far superior roster at all starting positions and the Gamecocks’ wide receivers should have their way in the passing game. SC State will be able to hang around for the first half but the Gamecocks should walk away with an easy win in week five and stay in the win column.
Score Prediction: South Carolina 48, SC State 14
Week Six, Away Game vs Kentucky
After two rebound games to get back in the win column, a tough road trip to take on Kentucky is slated for week six. This matchup is one of South Carolina’s most important games of the year if they hope to have a productive year. However, Mark Stoops has built a scary good program in Lexington. I think South Carolina finally has the roster to make this a competitive game. However, the Wildcats went 6-1 at home last year while the Gamecocks went 1-4 on the road. With this Kentucky team being essentially the same as last year, home-field advantage will be big and the Wildcats win this one.
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Week Seven, Home Game vs Texas A&M
Another tough game is up next in week seven with Texas A&M coming to town. Texas A&M is building a program good enough to be playing in the CFP. Unfortunately for South Carolina, this will be their fourth loss in conference play putting them at 0-4 already. The harsh reality of the SEC conference is that most of the teams above you are good enough to win bowl games and more. This is a game where the expectations for the Gamecocks to truly compete in the SEC will settle down.
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 38, South Carolina 21
Week Eight, Home Game vs Missouri
Week eight for the Gamecocks has the Missouri Tigers coming to town. Playing Mizzou for the Mayor’s Cup during Halloween weekend will be nothing short of an electric atmosphere. If Mizzou brings their A game, they have a shot to win. However, this South Carolina team will defend their home turf and deflate the Tigers bowl eligibility hopes. Give me the Gamecocks to win a close one at home.
Week Nine, Away Game vs Vanderbilt
After getting their first conference win of the year, the Gamecocks finally get an easy SEC conference game. While it is an away game and those are never gimme’s in the SEC, Vanderbilt is not going to be very good in 2022. South Carolina has won 13 straight over Vanderbilt including seven by at least two touchdowns. An easy SEC win here will be good momentum before another road game against the Gators in week nine.
Score Prediction: South Carolina 35, Vanderbilt 10
Week Ten, Away Game vs Florida
Going on the road to Gainesville is no easy task despite the Gators being nowhere near the power house they used to be. This will be a matchup of new head coaches but Shane Beamer is ahead of Billy Napier as far as developing their programs. The Gators get the luxury of playing at home and have only lost twice to South Carolina in Gainesville in their entire history. That being said, South Carolina has to get a big “upset” win somewhere and here it is. Give me the Gamecocks to win a close one on the road and win their third straight SEC game.
Score Prediction: South Carolina 31, Florida 28
Week Eleven, Home Game vs Tennessee
The Gamecocks then return home in week 11 to host the up and coming Volunteers. Tennessee might be on the verge of competing for an SEC East title by week 11. That being said, the Vols are more talented on both sides of the ball and that is the difference here. It’ll be a close one that shows how much improvement the Gamecocks have made but Tennessee will prevail. But do not be surprised if Spencer Rattler makes some noise here and boosts his NFL chances with a big performance.
Week Twelve, Away Game vs Clemson
The final game of the 2022 regular season is an away game against Clemson. This is one of the bigger rivalries for South Carolina and last year was their best chance to take down Clemson. The Tigers have reloaded for another run at a national title and this game will not be easy to win. South Carolina wants to win this one big time, but on the road, I do not see the Tiger’s Palmetto Bowl streak ending here.
Score Prediction: Clemson 28, South Carolina 14
Final Record For South Carolina Football In 2022-23: 6-6 (3-5)
Sure the Gamecocks roster is going to be a fun one to watch but you do not get far in the SEC with a “fun roster”. The Gamecocks have been cursed with a terribly difficult schedule but that is the harsh reality of the SEC. The only way to prove you are the real deal is to beat the upper level teams in the conference. Until Shane Beamer can get to the double-digit win mark, middle of the pack or lower is where this program stays.
Which SEC team will improve the most in 2022? Comment below and join the discussion!
Check back for the rest of the conference’s predictions here!