Losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide 47-23 wasn’t going to do anything to change the South Carolina Gamecocks’ position in our SEC Power Rankings. They still have one win and have played two Power Five teams. In their one game against a Group of Five team, they dominated 72-10. So we still aren’t sure what to make of these guys.
That loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels was clearly devastating to start the season. However, that all came down to one bad quarter, and this team could easily be 2-1 with a loss to Alabama, which is nothing to be ashamed of.
Will Muschamp’s team has shown some offensive life the past two weeks, so maybe things are changing for him in Columbia. Ryan Hilinski looks like a very good quarterback, one with promise similar to what Jake Bentley had three years ago. If the defense can stiffen more late in games, this team could get things going.
They have a key two weeks coming up to help define the season. It starts with a game against the Missouri Tigers on the road. But after that, they have to face the Kentucky Wildcats at home. All three could be borderline bowl teams, so what S.C. does in those games will have an impact on everything else in 2019.