Shane Beamer discusses the significance of being part of College GameDay in Week 1

For South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, the opportunity to be a part of College GameDay in Week 1 is a testament to how far the program has come. Set to enter his third season leading the Gamecocks, Beamer will lead the team into a primetime matchup against North Carolina on Sept. 2 on Charlotte.

Beamer took over a South Carolina team in 2021 that was coming off of a 2-8 season and picked to finish sixth in the SEC East. Despite this, the Gamecocks finished fourth with a 7-6 record that included their first bowl win since 2017. He followed that up this past season with a third-place finish and 8-5 record.

That has created national interest in South Carolina heading into 2023 that simply wasn’t there when Beamer took over, and the College GameDay appearance is proof of that.

“It’s a great statement about where we’ve come,” Beamer said. “I was telling somebody earlier today that two years ago at this time was about the same time a national media member made the statement that the ceiling for the 2021 team was two wins. To go from that where we were picked sixth or seventh in the SEC East my first season to now you have College GameDay coming — two really good teams in the season opener — it makes a really great statement about the progress we’ve made and some of the things we’ve accomplished.”

The Gamecocks were picked to finish third in the SEC East in the 2023 SEC preseason media poll. Wins against top 10 teams in Tennessee and Clemson to close last season showed signs of making another push forward, and the returning talent gives them a chance to do so.

That includes quarterback Spencer Rattler, who threw for a combined 798 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions in the wins against the Tigers and Vols. He also brings back his top target in receive Juice Wells, who had 68 catches for 928 yards and six touchdowns in 2022.

Those players will get the chance to show off on the national stage against a North Carolina offense led by Heisman candidate Drake Maye. Beamer hopes it can be the start of another great season, saying the Gamecocks are still far from where they want to be despite the progress made.

“I’m certainly proud of that, but we also know we’re nowhere near being where we’re gonna go,” the coach said. “There’s a lot more that we can do in this program and are gonna continue to do as we build this program and move it forward. Proud of the strides that we’ve made in two seasons, but I think we’re all aware that there is a lot we can be better at as well.”

Kickoff between the Tar Heels and Gamecocks is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 2, with Week 1 College GameDay coverage to begin that morning.