Las Vegas puts South Carolina win total odds at 5.5 entering 2022 season
Despite head coach Shane Beamer leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to a 7-5 record and a bowl victory in his rookie season, Las Vegas has slated the Gamecocks’ over/under win total to be 5.5, meaning odds aren’t in the favor of Beamer and company.
South Carolina hauled in one of the biggest fish in free agency this cycle in former Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler. The former-five star recruit B threw for 1,483 yards, 11 touchdowns and just five interceptions before losing his starting spot to Caleb Williams, who since has transferred out of the program as well.
Now that more pieces are falling into place for Beamer’s roster, being coated in mayonnaise is behind the South Carolina program. Those inside the program and fans throughout the fanbase are expecting a bigger jump this season despite what Vegas will tell you, and Beamer put an emphasis on exactly that over spring training.
“We do have to handle success better. We talked about it in a team meeting this morning that we started out 2-0, then we went 2-2, and then from that point on, we never won more than two in a row, and we never lost more than two in a row,” Beamer said.
“… You competed and you came right back the next week and won the football game. There’s great things to learn from that but also being able to handle that success when you have a great win over whoever it may be — Florida, being able to handle that success and perform better the following week.”
Coming into year two, Beamer and his club have plans to keep improving and be a consistent contender in the SEC – and South Carolina is putting in the work in spring practices to prepare themselves to accomplish just that. With the additions of multiple high-level transfers and incoming freshman to the roster, the newness of the matter has changed the national perception of South Carolina from a mid-level SEC team, to the dark horse of the entire conference, though Vegas doesn’t seem to think so.
“To me, you realize all the work that went into winning seven games and realizing it’s gonna take that much and then more to take the next step,” Beamer said. “… I think it’s just day to day right now. I know everybody talks about ‘the process’ and only worry about today, but it’s true, like how good a day can we have today? Just keep stacking good days.”
Looking to improve on his seven wins last season, South Carolina is scheduled to kickoff its 2022 slate on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Georgia State in Columbia. Following their opener, the Gamecocks will jump right into SEC play with a road trip to Arkansas on Sept. 10.