Stats predictions for 2016 GCocks.

If our guys combine for 2,000 yards rushing, we will win more than 6 games.

I know this sounds negative, but I don't see D Williams rushing for any more than maybe 400-500 yards.

Passing:
BMac -2000/18/6

Rushing:
AJ Turner - 800/7TD
Dowdle - 400/3TD
Williams - 400/3TD

Receiving:
Deebo - 50/800yd/8TD
Hurst - 30/400/6TD
Crosby - 25/250/2TD
Edwards - 25/250/3TD

quote:

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No idea about defense.

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didn't want to start a thread so I'll drop this here

Gamecocks were horrendous v the run & pass last year. gave up 26 rush TD (18 in SEC games) and another 15 TD (12 SEC) through the air. most of that was a result of being dead last in Def 3rd Downs giving up 48%, never getting off the field.

Carolina & TxAM were tied for worst in the league allowing 93 rushing 1st downs in conference play last year. Gamecocks allowed 85 passing 1st downs to league opponents, ahead of Auburn(90), Arkansas(96) & Ole Miss(103). USC allowed a league worst 23 first downs per game to SEC opponents in 2015.

the scheme and techniques taught by the new staff will be a complete departure from the inept and incompetent methods USC had to endure since Lawing was exiled to FL in 2013. no more soft coverage outside, either.

Carolina defense has the best chance to make the most significant improvement with regime change. yes the secondary is not up to Gamecock DB pedigree over the years, but the front 7 will be where USC can fix a lot of its problems from the past 2 seasons - run & pass. the DTs will be the most noticeably improved position on the field and will set the tone. Griffin, Sawyer & Stallworth were all terribly under-coached and lacked necessary conditioning under Adams/Ward.

furthermore, here's a look at the returing QBs Carolina will face the first 4 games this season.

@VU - Shurmer - 44/103 (42%) 503 yds 5 td 3 int 93 PR
...did not play at all in VU's first 6 games. got first start vs MO after their loss to USC. was terribly inconsistent. best game came at UTK where much like Perry Orth he threw for 3 TD. 2 of his 5 starts he completed just 25% of his attempts and 20 or less passing yards. not a runner, more of a statue in the pocket.

@MSU - Fitzgerald - 4/4 for 90 yards and a td vs Northwestern St in blowout win. 6/7 for 141 yards and 2 td vs Troy in blowout win. came in for injured Prescott vs Alabama and went 1 for 2 for 4 yards. he'll have to find a way to be mobile behind a leaky MSU line with no real returning run game in 2016. Damian Williams and true FR Nick Tiano have no stats from 2015. Williams had the best stats in their spring game. no matter who it is, it will be someone largely inexperienced and unproven.

@UK - Barker - 35/70 (50%) 364 yds 1 td 2 int 92 PR
...we know this name. Barker was a desperation replacement for Towles to save their season last year. didn't play until week 6 and was named starter in game 11 vs Charlotte and game 12 vs Louisville. UK was 1-4 (0-4 SEC) in games he played, including a 21-17 loss at Vanderbilt.

**ECU had 2 of its most experienced/best QBs transfer out after McNeil was replaced with new HC Scottie Montgomery this year. Kemp, who threw for 2600+ yds as a Jr went home to Arizona and Benkurt, who backed up Carden in 2014, transferred to Virginia. Pirates are reduced to a transfer who played his first 2 seasons at Minnesota (2012-13) before transferring to Rutgers (2014) - and then got kicked out of that school - before landing in Greenville (2015). hasn't played in a football game since 2013.

Perry Orth is a more proven QB with better stats than what USC's opponents will have taking snaps in the first 4 games. add McIlwain into the mix and USC has a legitimate chance to make some serious noise early in the season, even with a tough schedule.

Holloman (63) and BAW (23) are clearly gonna have to pick up Skai's (111) tackles this year. English actually had 28 tackles in limited snaps last season. USC DBs were 3 of the 5 top tacklers on the team last year. I suspect Muschamp & staff have other plans so that's not the case in 2016.