2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
College Football
Betting Preview
Odds and Schedule
South Carolina is in arguably the best position of any team in the SEC East to win the division this year. They return 14 starters, but more importantly their stud All-SEC running back Mike Davis, an experienced offensive line and a stocked receiving core. The only question for the Gamecocks on the offensive end is quarterback Dylan Thompson.
With that in mind, there may be some value in backing the Gamecocks to win it all as they are listed at odds of 50 to 1 to win the National Title. Now THAT would be a nice score! Those odds are courtesy of 5 dimes sportsbook.
The senior Thompson has seen time over the last two years to spell the oft-injured Connor Shaw, but his inconsistency limited future opportunities for the QB. In 2012, he did a fantastic job toward the end of the year completing 30-of-51 passes for 427 yards, five touchdowns and only one interception against Clemson and Michigan. Unfortunately, he didn’t improve on those numbers last year, tossing zero TDs and two interceptions in two starts last season. Granted, both those Games still ended in big road wins at UCF and Missouri.
Thompson struggles with accuracy, which is a problem, but the Gamecocks only lost Bruce Ellington at wideout, so he’ll have Damiere Byrd and Shaq Roland in the passing Game. Mike Davis will receive a ton of touches as long as he can stay healthy. He was held out of a lot of spring workouts to start the season.
South Carolina has some holes to fill on the defensive end where they were second in the SEC last season in points allowed per Game. The loss of a talented front line including Jadeveon Clowney is going to be huge along with new cornerbacks to work with. They’ll likely build around experience at linebacker and safety led by Sharrod Golightly.
The Gamecocks’ CBs will get an immediate test in the first month of the season as they open with Texas A&M, East Carolina and Georgia. The first two teams are known to be pass-heavy and can present problems.
The good news for the South Carolina Schedule, despite a rough start, is that they face their two biggest SEC East competitors, Georgia and Missouri at home. Then again, they also are replacing Arkansas and Mississippi State on their Schedule for Texas A&M and Auburn, so getting to Four straight seasons with 11 wins is going to be a little harder. Throw in road Games at Florida and Clemson near the end of the season and there’s never really a time the Gamecocks get to relax.
Getting to 10 wins will be difficult and could solely depend on what Thompson does at quarterback. The rushing attack isn’t going to win every Game for them.
Because of the Aggies, Bulldogs and Tigers also losing their stud starting quarterbacks, it’s possible the Gamecocks will be favored in their first seven Games until they reach Auburn. If the ground Game dominates right away, a big win against Texas A&M could set the tone for their season.
2014 South Carolina Football Schedule
Aug. 28 vs. Texas A&M
Sep. 6 vs. East Carolina
Sep. 13 vs. Georgia
Sep. 20 at Vanderbilt
Sep. 27 vs. Missouri
Oct. 4 at Kentucky
Oct. 18 vs. Furman
Oct. 25 at Auburn
Nov. 1 vs. Tennessee
Nov. 15 at Florida
Nov. 22 vs. South Alabama
Nov. 29 at Clemson