Lookin' like a lot of tossups for 2023

[18IsTheMan]

Looking at the schedule, I'd say we have 3 games that should be pretty safe wins: Furman, Vandy, Jacksonville State. 1 game is a pretty safe bet to be a loss: UGA. I'd call UT a probable loss. That puts us at 3-2. All the rest of the games look like toss-ups to me: UNC, MSU, UF, Mizzou, A&M, UK and Clemson.

Of those 7, the most likely wins at first glance are Mizzou and UK. I think the UNC game will be all about how our offense fares against their defense. Don't know about MSU. They were a 9-win team last year, but who knows without Leach? UF was an embarrassing game in the Swamp last year, but there were not a very good team overall last year, and it's in Cola this year and should be a pretty even matchup. Missouri should be winnable, but it's Missouri and they own us at the moment. UK lost a lot last year, with their QB and RB going pro, but they did well in the portal this year. I'm on the fence about Clemson being a toss-up vs a probable loss, but I'm not sold yet on Klubnik.

 

[HillsToSea]

Looking at the schedule, I'd say we have 3 games that should be pretty safe wins: Furman, Vandy, Jacksonville State. 1 game is a pretty safe bet to be a loss: UGA. I'd call UT a probable loss. That puts us at 3-2. All the rest of the games look like toss-ups to me: UNC, MSU, UF, Mizzou, A&M, UK and Clemson.

Of those 7, the most likely wins at first glance are Mizzou and UK. I think the UNC game will be all about how our offense fares against their defense. Don't know about MSU. They were a 9-win team last year, but who knows without Leach? UF was an embarrassing game in the Swamp last year, but there were not a very good team overall last year, and it's in Cola this year and should be a pretty even matchup. Missouri should be winnable, but it's Missouri and they own us at the moment. UK lost a lot last year, with their QB and RB going pro, but they did well in the portal this year. I'm on the fence about Clemson being a toss-up vs a probable loss, but I'm not sold yet on Klubnik.

Whole lotta wait and see for the next three months

 

[Big JC]

Clemson and UT are probably circling our game on their calendars. We pretty well ruined both of their seasons. Those are going to be tough games. UF is a dumpster fire, should be an easy win. Stoops will have UK ready to play and that game will be physical.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Clemson and UT are probably circling our game on their calendars. We pretty well ruined both of their seasons. Those are going to be tough games. UF is a dumpster fire, should be an easy win. Stoops will have UK ready to play and that game will be physical.

UT game in Knoxville will be interesting. Last 2 games have been blowouts, but the combined score is 83-83,

 

[athenscock3]

Nothing new about games on our schedule that could go either way nor having some big questions with key personnel. Begin with the ol. Seems it is always a ?. We do have excellent freshman to solve this perrinnel problem but they are probably a year away from anything other than a backup/depth role. A lot of players will have to step up and play big cause we need play makers. Course promising seasons can be ruined bythe bounce of that little oblong ball. Lady Luck we need you baby.

 

[Ruffledfeathers]

Looking at the schedule, I'd say we have 3 games that should be pretty safe wins: Furman, Vandy, Jacksonville State. 1 game is a pretty safe bet to be a loss: UGA. I'd call UT a probable loss. That puts us at 3-2. All the rest of the games look like toss-ups to me: UNC, MSU, UF, Mizzou, A&M, UK and Clemson.

Of those 7, the most likely wins at first glance are Mizzou and UK. I think the UNC game will be all about how our offense fares against their defense. Don't know about MSU. They were a 9-win team last year, but who knows without Leach? UF was an embarrassing game in the Swamp last year, but there were not a very good team overall last year, and it's in Cola this year and should be a pretty even matchup. Missouri should be winnable, but it's Missouri and they own us at the moment. UK lost a lot last year, with their QB and RB going pro, but they did well in the portal this year. I'm on the fence about Clemson being a toss-up vs a probable loss, but I'm not sold yet on Klubnik.

That's a bit pessimistic... 18istheman must be a tater.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Nothing new about games on our schedule that could go either way nor having some big questions with key personnel. Begin with the ol. Seems it is always a ?. We do have excellent freshman to solve this perrinnel problem but they are probably a year away from anything other than a backup/depth role. A lot of players will have to step up and play big cause we need play makers. Course promising seasons can be ruined bythe bounce of that little oblong ball. Lady Luck we need you baby.

Death, taxes and a shaky Gamecock OL.

 

[18IsTheMan]

That's a bit pessimistic... 18istheman must be a tater.

Ha! I’d say it’s optimistic to have only one sure loss.

 

[Ruffledfeathers]

Ha! I’d say it’s optimistic to have only one sure loss.

Stop being pessimistic!

 

[Uscg1984]

I know "that's why they play the games" is a cliche' but it really feels appropriate whenever we look at the upcoming season and try to predict wins and losses. It's hard enough to predict a game the week before it is played, but picking games 5 months out is purely speculative. There are teams on our schedule who will be much better this year than anyone expects (see Tenn last year). Likewise, there are teams on our schedule who will be much worse than anyone expects (see A&M last year). Ask me the week before the game which team "should" win.

 

[Cocky99]

There has been so many personnel changes since last season it’s hard to gauge. Especially with the portal. Other teams are the same way.

By our standards we should chalking up Furman, Vandy, Jacksonville State as sure wins. But not under estimating them if course. Mizzou, UNC, Clemson and Kentucky should be chicken food also.
The other games should be the toss ups at this point.

 

[KingWard]

Life on the razor's edge.

 

[will110]

North Carolina - toss up
Furman - guaranteed win
Georgia - guaranteed loss
Mississippi State - likely win
Tennessee - likely loss
Florida - toss up
Missouri - toss up
Texas A&M - likely loss
Jacksonville State - guaranteed win
Vanderbilt - likely win
Kentucky - toss up
Clemson - toss up

 

[Deleted11512]

North Carolina - toss up
Furman - guaranteed win
Georgia - guaranteed loss
Mississippi State - likely win
Tennessee - likely loss
Florida - toss up
Missouri - toss up
Texas A&M - likely loss
Jacksonville State - guaranteed win
Vanderbilt - likely win
Kentucky - toss up
Clemson - toss up

I think UGA is a likely loss, not so much guaranteed. We have no idea how their QB is going to perform. They've lost a lot. I know they've recruited a lot, but it's very difficult to keep up that level of elite every year. I'll just go ahead and say it, I wouldn't be shocked at all if we leave Athens with a crazy W like we did in 2019.

The line between 9-3 and 5-7 is RAZOR THIN.

 

[will110]

I think UGA is a likely loss, not so much guaranteed. We have no idea how their QB is going to perform. They've lost a lot. I know they've recruited a lot, but it's very difficult to keep up that level of elite every year. I'll just go ahead and say it, I wouldn't be shocked at all if we leave Athens with a crazy W like we did in 2019.

The line between 9-3 and 5-7 is RAZOR THIN.

I agree, just trying to differentiate between Georgia, A&M, and Tennessee. Beating Georgia would be a shocking upset. Beating A&M and Tennessee wouldn't be, but those are games I'd expect to lose going into the season.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I agree, just trying to differentiate between Georgia, A&M, and Tennessee. Beating Georgia would be a shocking upset. Beating A&M and Tennessee wouldn't be, but those are games I'd expect to lose going into the season.

As bad as A&M was last year, we very nearly gave them the game in the end. Going into College Station will be a different story. I have this as a toss-up, but I'd probably lean L.

 

[18IsTheMan]

The line between 9-3 and 5-7 is RAZOR THIN.

Some things never change.

 

[will110]

As bad as A&M was last year, we very nearly gave them the game in the end. Going into College Station will be a different story. I have this as a toss-up, but I'd probably lean L.

I would be pretty surprised if we won that game in College Station. Now perhaps the Jimbo/Bobby Petrino marriage turns into a motorcycle wreck and derails their season again, but there's a ton of talent on that roster.

 

[TN-Gamecock]

We just can't lose the first game. (For a whole lot of reasons).

 

[gamecock stock]

Looking at the schedule, I'd say we have 3 games that should be pretty safe wins: Furman, Vandy, Jacksonville State. 1 game is a pretty safe bet to be a loss: UGA. I'd call UT a probable loss. That puts us at 3-2. All the rest of the games look like toss-ups to me: UNC, MSU, UF, Mizzou, A&M, UK and Clemson.

Of those 7, the most likely wins at first glance are Mizzou and UK. I think the UNC game will be all about how our offense fares against their defense. Don't know about MSU. They were a 9-win team last year, but who knows without Leach? UF was an embarrassing game in the Swamp last year, but there were not a very good team overall last year, and it's in Cola this year and should be a pretty even matchup. Missouri should be winnable, but it's Missouri and they own us at the moment. UK lost a lot last year, with their QB and RB going pro, but they did well in the portal this year. I'm on the fence about Clemson being a toss-up vs a probable loss, but I'm not sold yet on Klubnik.

Excellent analysis.

 

[HWGcock]

Just because you circle a game doesn’t guarantee a win.

 

[Prestonyte]

I would be pretty surprised if we won that game in College Station. Now perhaps the Jimbo/Bobby Petrino marriage turns into a motorcycle wreck and derails their season again, but there's a ton of talent on that roster.

nice analogy on the motorcycle wreck

 

[FlebusJones]

The Florida game is one we must win. They blew us out last year at their place but don't forget that we blew them away the year before that at our place. They don't have a stone lock for QB which is amazing for a school that recruits so well. I think we will win going away at home.

I think it is safe to say that the Rattler/Wells duo will pick up where they left off last year. I have liked what I have been reading about the relationship between Loggains and Rattler and the plan to give Rattler a lot of leash this year. If Rattler goes into a game with the ability to play his game without a lot of play changing from the sidelines, I think our offense will get back to the way we left off last year (red hot).

With that being said, I think we win at Missouri, beat Kentucky at home, lose to A&M at College Park, beat Florida at home, beat Miss St. at home and lose to Tenn at Knoxville. We then beat Clemson in another squeaker at home. That puts us at 9-3 with losses to UTjr, A&M and Georgia. That would be a good season and would continue the momentum.

 

[Big JC]

I think UGA is a likely loss, not so much guaranteed. We have no idea how their QB is going to perform. They've lost a lot. I know they've recruited a lot, but it's very difficult to keep up that level of elite every year. I'll just go ahead and say it, I wouldn't be shocked at all if we leave Athens with a crazy W like we did in 2019.

The line between 9-3 and 5-7 is RAZOR THIN.th

UGA qb depth is as crazy deep as the rest of their roster. Beck is the presumed starter and he has been in the program for several years so he isn't some green as grass guy coming in. The Vandergriff kid was a high school star as was Stockton, who we really wanted. Kirby got 2 really good wide receivers from the portal and still has that sick TE Bowers and a couple really good receivers who have been there for several years.

I'm not saying the game is a stone cold lock loss but I doubt we see another 2019 type game. For whatever reason, Kirby has a hard on for Beamer. He doesn't take his foot off the gas when he's playing us. It must be something that goes back to when Beamer was on Kirby's staff.

 

[Big JC]

The Florida game is one we must win. They blew us out last year at their place but don't forget that we blew them away the year before that at our place. They don't have a stone lock for QB which is amazing for a school that recruits so well. I think we will win going away at home.

I think it is safe to say that the Rattler/Wells duo will pick up where they left off last year. I have liked what I have been reading about the relationship between Loggains and Rattler and the plan to give Rattler a lot of leash this year. If Rattler goes into a game with the ability to play his game without a lot of play changing from the sidelines, I think our offense will get back to the way we left off last year (red hot).

With that being said, I think we win at Missouri, beat Kentucky at home, lose to A&M at College Park, beat Florida at home, beat Miss St. at home and lose to Tenn at Knoxville. We then beat Clemson in another squeaker at home. That puts us at 9-3 with losses to UTjr, A&M and Georgia. That would be a good season and would continue the momentum.

I think this is about the best scenario. 9-3 with a chance at 10 wins in a bowl would be great. UF is a dumpster fire, not beating them would be terrible. UNC is a must win. A loss to a middling ACC team would be a pretty crappy way to start the season.

 

[gamecock stock]

I came across Athlon magazine today. Of our opponents, they have 6 ranked ahead of us: UGA, Tennessee, Clemson, Kentucky, Texas A&M and North Carolina.

They have us ranked in the 30s.....31, I think. I believe we will pleasantly surprise folks like we have each of the past 2 years. But, I'm biased.