SEC Week 2 power rankings - 6: South Carolina
Weather delays against an opponent who is far more motivated than you are is always a white-knuckle ride for a home favorite, especially when your game doesn’t end up starting until past 9 PM central. All that in mind, it’s somewhat understandable that the Gamecocks came out really slowly against SC State, but that didn’t stop the fans from letting their anger be known.
After trailing 3-0 for most of the first half, Carolina eventually took the lead on yet another punt return touchdown. The field position was a bear for the Gamecocks in the first half, but getting a returnable punt once they backed up their opponent yielded a special teams score.
I’m not convinced this is the number ten team in the country just yet, but they have several unbelievable athletic talents on this squad the likes of which few teams in the nation have. Sellers, Stewart, and Harbor are an absolutely deadly triumvirate for the Gamecocks, but they have yet to find their groove.
Shane Beamer’s teams have been at their best in November the last few years, so it’s just Texas A&M’s luck that they get Carolina in game number ten. Of course, SC has yet to win in Kyle Field, so there’s some hope there.
For now, though, don’t be surprised if the Gamecocks drop a game or two before rounding into form. Unless things come together quickly, things just aren’t quite coherent enough yet in Columbia.