When looking at where the South Carolina Gamecocks mid-season performance has faltered, the word inconsistency is the best way to describe them. Will Muschamp’s third year has not gone as planned to this point. The struggle to perform at a high level week in and week out has been too much for this team. In fact, they have struggled to play at a consistent level from quarter to quarter even within games. Sitting at 3-3 there is still a chance to have a solid season. Considering the overall history of the program, reaching eight or nine wins including a bowl victory is nothing to scoff at.
Gamecocks Mid-season Review
There have been good and bad on both sides of the ball so far. No one unit or position can take credit for the good moments, nor can all the blame be placed in one area. The Gamecocks mid-season review reveals one major theme: inconsistency. This team has got to find a way to put together four quarters of good football on a Saturday. All three losses have come to teams ranked in the top 16, but the way those losses have manifested has led to more frustration. Muschamp and his staff will focus their efforts in the bye week trying to find a way to stabilize this team’s focus and execution. They have been far too up and down in those areas.
Offensive Player of the Year
Donell Stanley – Junior – Center
There have been too many mistakes and missed opportunities to justify naming a skill position player here. Stanley moved to center in the off-season and has played well in the middle of the offensive line. The line as a whole has been good and the junior has helped stabilize things up front. He is a versatile player who can play any of the three inside positions. After a few shaky snaps early on, that has not been an issue.
Defensive Player of the Year
Bryson Allen-Williams – Senior – Linebacker
The senior from Georgia is having his best season in Columbia. He, along with freshman Jaycee Horn, are the two players that can’t be labeled as inconsistent. Allen-Williams has been active, aggressive, and involved all season long. This is despite playing out of position. He rotates between defensive end and linebacker, and has made plays at both positions. The senior has 9.5 tackles for loss and two sacks on the season.
Slow Starts
By far the biggest issue for the Gamecocks mid-season struggles is their slow starts on offense. In their three losses, South Carolina has scored a total of 13 first half points. That is simply not good enough. Jake Bentley has struggled his entire career in Columbia with erratic starts to games. Often his throws are off target early in contests and he has to work his way into a rhythm. For some reason, the Gamecocks continue to take the ball first when given the choice. Perhaps putting the defense on the field first could allow the offense to reel in some of the emotions brewing at kick-off.
The running game has improved this season but there have been no big plays. A big run early would help to settle things down, but the Gamecocks have not been able to produce those types of plays. The offense has also turned the ball over too often early in games. Turnovers on early possessions against Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas A&M put them behind the eight ball in each contest.
The defense has also had its issues early in games. They were pushed around in the first half at Kentucky, allowing almost 300 yards of offense and 24 points by halftime. The defense held them scoreless in the second half but the damage was done. Missouri also had a big first half with nearly 300 yards and 23 points. South Carolina’s defense was at least able to hold them to field goals, which enabled the come from behind for the victory with a better performance after halftime.
Dropped From the Sky
The South Carolina receiving corps was thought to be the strength of the offense this season. They were looked at as a deep and talented group that could be one of the best in the SEC. Unfortunately, they have been marred by the same inconsistencies as the rest of the team. Dropped passes have become an epidemic the last few games for South Carolina. Bryan Edwards and Deebo Samuel have done great things during their time in Columbia, but each have had too many plays they’d like to forget in 2018. Each dropped potential 40+ yard passes against Texas A&M in the first half. The Gamecocks had seven drops that day in a game they lost by three points. This unit was supposed to shine for South Carolina. If they are to finish strong, they have to catch the ball more consistently and produce some big plays.
Third Quarter Push
For South Carolina to end their season on a positive note, they will need to follow their in-game pattern of 2018. The Georgia Bulldogs blasted the Gamecocks 21-0 in the third quarter of week two. However, aside from that game, Muschamp’s team has come out of halftime on fire. They have outscored their other five opponents 49-6 in the third quarter this season. If there are any positives from the Gamecocks mid-season numbers, it is their third quarter play. They’ve overcome their slow starts and made things interesting after half time. If they can somehow start games with that same focus and execution, results could begin to swing their way. As the Gamecocks mid-season bye week comes to a close, they now hit the third quarter of their 2018 slate. Once again, consistency of performance is the main issue.
Turned Over
Last season, despite not always looking like a great team, the Gamecocks won nine games. A lot of their success was based on turnover margin. They were among the best in the country in that category a season ago. Turnovers have killed them in 2018. Bentley has seven interceptions thus far, Rico Dowdle has multiple fumbles, and the defense has not forced quite as many as 2017. A slow starting offense, lacking big plays, and an abundance of turnovers is a recipe for disaster. Looking at the Gamecocks mid-season 2018, disaster has occurred more often than not.
Fixable Issues
One bright spot as the second half of the 2018 season begins is that most of these issues are fixable. It makes the results of the first half more frustrating, but things can be turned around. The defense has shown it can contain and slow opponents, they just need to do it more consistently. The offense has talent, now those talented players need to make the plays they are in position to make. Eliminate the dropped passes and turnovers, start games with better focus and execution, and things could turn around on the back stretch.
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