Predicting the win total ceiling, floor for South Carolina in 2024

Where South Carolina will sit in the pecking order of the new-look SEC come this fall will, ultimately, get sorted out on the field. But On3’s Andy Staples and Cody Bellaire took a stab at sussing out the range of potential outcomes for the Gamecocks going ahead in 2024.

And the overall picture is fairly positive, despite the program turning a page to a new quarterback and replacing a glut of skill position talent. The high hopes start with a new face at the quarterback position, and stems from there.

There are worries about the schedule, too, as the Gamecocks play a daunting slate in the new SEC. But all told, the ceiling and floor for South Carolina are about on par with what most people would expect.

“So, this is a big split for them. I got their ceiling at 8-4 and their floor at 4-8,” Staples said.

CEILING: 8-4 season

The optimists take on South Carolina in 2024 was mostly taken on be Bellaire, who revealed his high — very high, for that matter — hopes for new quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

“And Andy, this might be my hottest take of the season, but I think we’re looking at a LaNorris Sellers darkhorse sort of Heisman-caliber season,” Bellaire said. “We are so high on him at On3. We believed in the talent, we saw the physical makeup, the athletic ability, the arm talent, ability to push the ball vertically. Even if they don’t have some of the pieces back there — I will say, they did bring in Raheim Sanders, to carry the load at running back. I think that two-headed monster in that backfield is going to be scary, scary. And I think they know what they have in a guy like Nyckoles Harbor, right? If those three guys are the only ones that touch the ball on this offense, I’m OK. Because I believe that LaNorris Sellers is going to be so much of a game changer. They were raving about him even before he took a snap of spring. This is somebody that they were saying, ‘Oh my gosh, this kid with the rec specs is an absolute dude back here at quarterback.'” 

While Staples didn’t necessarily come to it with the same thinking, he did agree with Bellaire that the general talent level at South Carolina is high enough to surprise some folks in 2024.

And if a few more pieces can emerge, the Gamecocks might finally roll out a team greater than the sum of its parts.

“They got some good, like Nyck Harbor,” Staples said. “If Nyck Harbor were to develop into the potential player we thought he would be as a recruit, like how would you even stop that? What would you do about that? LaNorris Sellers is going to start, Shane Beamer said that or said he’s the No. 1 QB coming out of spring. And they’ve got other good players that they’ve found. Nick Emmanwori is a local product that they unearthed, they’ve got good players there, but it doesn’t feel like they have a consistently good roster.” 

And with a seeming intention of running the offense through Sellers, Bellaire is on tenterhooks to see him play.

“It’s going to be predicated through LaNorris Sellers,” Bellaire said. “On his legs, through his arm. I’m very excited for the SEC and the country, really, to see this guy play quarterback because he is exactly what NFL teams are looking for at the next level. He’s literally built to carry the load for this team and I think this guy’s going to have — I think it’s going to be a tough act. Don’t get me wrong. But I think we’re going to see LaNorris Sellers put down some gaudy numbers this year.

FLOOR: 4-8 season

For as good as things could go for the Gamecocks, there’s every chance that a new quarterback, remaining questions about line depth and a gauntlet of a schedule could sink them.

“That schedule is hard. It is hard,” Staples said. “They’re at Oklahoma, they get Missouri in Columbia. Ole Miss comes to Williams-Brice Stadium, LSU comes to Williams-Brice Stadium. They’re in Tuscaloosa, they’re at Clemson this year, they’re at Kentucky. This is a very difficult schedule, but what you’re saying, what you’re describing is you are leaning toward that ceiling I suggested.” 

And for as much as Bellaire loves Sellers, he does admit there’s a chance things look a bit more like they did when Anthony Richardson was starring at Florida. Exciting? Surely. Winnings stacking up? Less so.

“And I think it’s just because teams are not comfortable in defending things they have not seen,” Bellaire said. “And I don’t believe LaNorris Sellers — honestly LaNorris Sellers’ game reminds me a lot of Anthony Richardson. And to that point —”

Staples interjected.

“6-6 as a starter in the SEC,” Staples said.

And Bellaire aceded.

“Exactly. To that point: Do they win a lot of games? Who knows. But is this guy going to be an absolute spectacle to watch for everyone else in the country? 100%” Bellaire said.