quote:
South Carolina was 8th in the SEC in Yards per Rush at 4.39. They lost 3 of their starters from that group. South Carolina was 14th in the SEC in Yards per Rush allowed (5.13).

So you lost 60% of your starters from a mediocre OL unit and you were dead last in the SEC in rush defense last year. The other contenders for last, Kentucky and Vanderbilt, return 4 starters each (Vandy returns 3 and a previous starter who tore his ACL). I think probably Missouri should be 14 and South Carolina 13, though.

Where would you have South Carolina ranked in each category?

Yeah ... because we all know that that's exactly how you do it - you base everything on the previous season's numbers. Works every time ... amirite?

Then again, historically, using that methodolgy almost never works ... or, correct me if I'm wrong but last season Auburn was picked to win the entire SEC and the year before that SCAR was picked to win the East.

What I can, and will, tell you about the Gamecocks in the trenches this coming season is ...

1 - New DLine Coach (Deke Adams was horrible)

2 - Newly signed talent, plus more experienced returnees, plus more focused and energized off season program in the weight room, plus red-shirts coming up on both sides of the line ... talented, highly recruited redshirts chomping at the bit.

3 - New offensive philosophy designed around doing what college OLinemen do best ... rather than trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

SCAR has better talent on both sides of the trench, and depth, than at least four of the programs you have listed above ... maybe more. But hey, I'll split the difference with you and say .... somewhere between 10th and 12th for now, even though I believe we'll finish higher by season's end.

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Posted by SummerOfGeorge

Member since Jul 2013

102699 posts

Posted on 4/1/16 at 3:06 pm to scrooster

quote:
Yeah ... because we all know that that's exactly how you do it - you base everything on the previous season's numbers. Works every time ... amirite?

I mean, I'm not sure how else you'd do it.

quote:
Then again, historically, using that methodolgy almost never works ... or, correct me if I'm wrong but last season Auburn was picked to win the entire SEC and the year before that SCAR was picked to win the East.

Picking who will win leagues is a little more complex and difficult than identifying the best position groups, but sure.

quote:
Newly signed talent

The lines (along with QB) are the hardest places for true freshmen to contribute.

quote:
SCAR has better talent on both sides of the trench, and depth, than at least four of the programs you have listed above ... maybe more. But hey, I'll split the difference with you and say .... somewhere between 10th and 12th for now, even though I believe we'll finish higher by season's end.

That all sounds fine, but comparing them to other teams in the league I have a hard time moving them above anywhere around 12 on either side of the ball. Maybe offense up to 10 or 11, but no way on defense. Arkansas is 9th, Georgia is 10th, State is 11th. Maybe you could argue with Kentucky or Vanderbilt, but Vanderbilt has proven they can play solid up front defense. Kentucky, sure, flip a coin. Who exactly (other than Kentucky) would you put South Carolina's D-line in front of?

Offensive Line, maybe 10th? I wouldn't put them any higher than that. And they have just as many question marks as State or Vanderbilt (and Kentucky returns 4 of their linemen).

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