After leaving Lexington, Kentucky, many fans had thrown in the towel on the 2016 version of South Carolina football. It was evident that reaching a bowl game was unlikely.
However, despite the early disappointments this season, it would be a large mistake for fans to give up on the Gamecocks.
Saturday, the No. 9 Texas A&M Aggies entered Columbia expecting a walk in the park. The Aggies were likely looking at the road trip to Columbia as a pre-test before huge matchups against Tennessee and Alabama. The Gamecocks proved that they were not to be taken lightly.
The Gamecocks’ defense has made big improvements since getting torched by East Carolina to the tune of 519 total yards allowed. They held Texas A&M well under their average for points per game and to a season low in total yards. While the defense wasn’t good enough to completely stop the Aggies, they were able to do a better job than any other team so far this season.
Travaris Robinson’s scheme has appeared to be a better fit. The Gamecocks were able to prevent getting burned by the long ball that the Aggies have a tendency to hit. They still gave up some yards on a few scramble runs by Trevor Knight and Trayveon Williams broke a 49-yard touchdown run, but overall it was a step in the right direction for the South Carolina defense.
Sure, the offense has been hard to watch. Anyone who has watched a game this season would agree to that, but it is important to understand the circumstances surrounding this season.
Obviously, there is a completely different coaching staff leading the Gamecocks. Will Muschamp has been known for his defensive mind so he chose Kurt Roper to be his offensive coordinator. Combine the new coaching staff with the youth on offense, and struggles are expected.
The truth is, it is impossible to correct these issues in such a short time. The offense is made up of many true freshman who are just getting their first taste of what it’s like to play in the SEC.
Brandon McIlwain has struggled at quarterback but just needs more time to develop. A.J. Turner has shown signs of a bright future, with his 75-yard touchdown run against the Aggies the latest example. Rico Dowdle ran the ball well in his debut and gives the Gamecocks options in the backfield in the coming weeks. Bryan Edwards has the potential to be an elite playmaker and has already demonstrated his ability to make amazing catches.
These talented freshmen and a highly-ranked recruiting class set to enter in 2017 show that the South Carolina football has a bright future ahead.
When you put some of the losses in the proper context, they simply aren't as depressing. The Gamecocks gave Texas A&M a harder game than anyone imagined. The final seven games of this season are crucial for the growth and development of the team, and South Carolina needs full support from the Gamecock fans every week to continue improving.