Where South Carolina ranks statistically through five games

South Carolina is through with its two non-conference games and is staring down the barrel now of six SEC games over the next seven weeks.

Before a gauntlet of a schedule, here’s where the Gamecocks rank statistically through five games.

Offense

After five weeks of football, South Carolina ranks tied for sixth with LSU in the SEC averaging 35.6 points per game. Only Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State and also Ole Miss are scoring more points per game.

The Gamecocks’ 23 total touchdowns are tied for sixth as well with Vanderbilt, and they’re tied for fifth in the SEC with Auburn with five field goals. South Carolina’s five two-point conversions are easily the best in the league. Only Florida has more than one two-point conversion.

South Carolina has struggled in the run game, averaging just 4.3 yards per carry this season. That’s good for just 11th in the league with Auburn, Mississippi State and Kentucky worse.

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The Gamecocks’ 15 rushing touchdowns, though, are tied for second in the SEC. Four other teams have 15 rushing scores as well.

From a passing offense perspective, South Carolina ranks seventh in the SEC completing 65.7 percent of passes. The Gamecocks are averaging 7.7 yards per attempt, ninth-best in the league, and have six passing scores which is tied for 10th-best.

Their 13 giveaways are the worst in the league as well. South Carolina’s allowed 10 sacks, 10th-best in the SEC.

The nine interceptions thrown are the highest in the SEC. Auburn is second with eight. The Gamecocks’ 131.8 passer rating is 12th-best in the league.

South Carolina is also averaging 6.03 yards per play on the year, eighth best in the SEC.

The Gamecocks are 10th in the SEC converting 36.36 percent of third downs and are tied for fourth converting 66.7 percent of fourth downs.

From a red-zone perspective South Carolina is scoring on 84 percent of trips, eight-best in the SEC. The Gamecocks have scored touchdowns on 72 percent of those trips, seventh-best.

They’ve also been in the red zone 25 times, tied with Alabama for second-most in the SEC.

South Carolina’s 24 plays of at least 20 yards are tied for eighth-best in the SEC. The Gamecocks have eight rush plays of at least 20 yards (tied for seventh) and 16 passing (tied for 10th).

Defense

South Carolina ranks 12th in the SEC allowing 27.2 points per game this year with 18 touchdowns (12th-best) and a league-best three field goals allowed.

The Gamecocks’ defense is allowing 4.4 yards per rush, 12th-best in the SEC, and has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns (10).

Opponents are also averaging 6.8 yards per pass attempt, 10th-best in the league, with eight passing touchdowns (13th-best). The 121.1 quarterback rating against is 10th-best. The Gamecocks, though, have only allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 54.9 percent of passes, third-best in the SEC.

Opponents are averaging 5.3 yards per play against South Carolina, the fourth-worst mark in conference.

The four sacks by South Carolina’s defense are the worst in the SEC. The Gamecocks have 34 tackles for loss, tied for 11th in the conference.

The defense is allowing 41.18 percent of third downs to be converted, third-worst. The Gamecocks are allowing a score on 84.21 percent of red zone trips, tied for 11th, with touchdowns on a league-worst 73.9 percent of trips.

South Carolina has allowed 17 plays of 20 yards or more, fifth-best in the SEC. The defense has allowed five rushes of 20-plus yards and also 12 passes, both sixth-best.

Player ranks

MarShawn Lloyd currently ranks ninth in the SEC with 442 all-purpose yards and third in scoring with 48 points. Lloyd also ranks seventh in the league with 324 rushing yards and second averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

Kai Kroeger (4) and Luke Doty (2.75) are fifth and sixth in the SEC in total offensive average per play.

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Spencer Rattler ranks seventh in the SEC in total offensive yards with 1,130, 1,121 of those through the air. He’s also seventh in the SEC in total offensive plays and third in both pass attempts and completions.

His 7.4 yards per attempt are 10th-best in the league and his four picks are tied for the most with Anthony Richardson.

Juice Wells ranks 10th in the league with 4.8 receptions per game and is also eighth in total receptions. His 309 receiving yards are ninth-best.

Mitch Jeter is perfect so far on field goal attempts, 5-for-5. Only one other kicker has made all of his field goals: Vanderbilt’s Joseph Bulovas at 3-for-3.

Xavier Legette is also eighth in the SEC with 132 kick return yards.

Defensively, Marcellas Dial ranks tied for second in the league with two interceptions. He’s also tied for second in the league with seven passes defended.

Nick Emmanwori’s 34 tackles are 14th-best in the SEC as well.

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