concerns
5
Gamecocks have a chance to finally get it right on offense
- South Carolina enters 2026 with Kendal Briles as its new offensive coordinator after the offense struggled badly in Shane Beamer's fifth season.
- Briles brings recent play-calling experience from three seasons at TCU and earlier stops at Baylor, Florida Atlantic, Houston, Florida State and Arkansas, raising expectations for a faster and more productive attack.
- The article frames 2026 as a decisive offensive rebound year because Briles inherits quarterback continuity but South Carolina has produced only brief stretches of effective offense across the Beamer era.
coachingoffenseconcernsschematicsexcitementsqbpredictionmarket
Calling my shot ... position battle winners
- Matt Fuller held the preseason edge over Christian Clark at running back and is the high-confidence projection to start, though both are expected to receive carries against Kent State.
- Mazeo Bennett Jr. and Nyck Harbor are established receiver starters, while DJ Black is the low-confidence projection to win the remaining spot over Donovan Murph and Nitro Tuggle.
- Nolan Hay is the projected left guard after also practicing at center, while veteran Dayne Arnett is a low-confidence right-tackle projection until Jacarrius Peak returns.
- Anthony Addison is the high-confidence projection to start opposite Caleb Herring at defensive end within a rotation expected to remain heavy.
- Kentucky transfer Quay'sheed Scott is projected to open at nickel over Gerald Kilgore, while David Bucey holds the early safety edge over freshman J'Zavien Currence in competitions expected to continue.
rbdepth_chartgame_breakdownoffensewrconcernsolavailabilitydldefenseschematicsdbtransfers
Responsible predictions for the upcoming season
- LaNorris Sellers entered the season at approximately 38-to-1 for the Heisman and with a passing-yards prop of 2,524.5 after throwing for 2,437 yards last year.
- Sellers exceeded 211 passing yards in five games last season, including three after South Carolina's in-season offensive coaching change.
- South Carolina's win total is 6.5, while the article projects eight or nine wins on the condition that new play caller Kendal Briles produces a major offensive improvement from 2025.
qbmarketpredictionoffensecoachingconcerns