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- [00:00]
Chris
The 2026 season for the South Carolina Gamecocks is just around the corner. Year six of the Beamer ball area era in Colombia. And it is a big year to say the very least, as some believe that Shane Beamer is on the hottest seat in the Southeastern Conference. We are here Previewing the upcoming 2026 season and before we look ahead to this season, and I promise we won't spend that much time on it because it was a disastrous 2025 season. But we're going to look back and set the stage, guys, because how we got here, I think is really, really important. Because you think about the energy and the hype and the excitement around South Carolina football just a year ago. This time last year, we were in a much different place because The Gamecocks in 2024, of course were coming off a season in which you could have argued they should have been in the College Football Playoff if not for a targeting call against Nick Imman wari in the LSU game that kept them at 9 and 3. Then you go into 2025. Lenora Sellers is back. Nick Harver is back. Dylan Stewart is back. So much of that talent that nearly got you into the College Football Playoff that previous season. And to say last season, guys, was a unmitigated disaster might be putting it lightly. Carolina went 4, 8, 1 and 7 in SEC play. They were essentially at the bottom of the ranks in every offensive category. No quarterback was sacked more than Lenora Sellers. Defensively, they were still solid, but took a step back because the offense put them in such bad positions. This was a team that it felt like guys on a weekly basis just found ways to lose games. And the cherry on top was really the Texas end game in which they led that game 30 to 3 at halftime and then lost that game 31 to 30. Of course, offense, according to Mike Shula, was fired near the mid May midway point of the season. Safe to say it is won a season that South Carolina fans want to forget. And guys, it has created where we are today, which is Shane Beamer being on one of the hottest seats in all of college football.
- [02:06]
Demetri
It's not a hot seat. It's not a hot seat. Chris, he's pre fired. Like we're just waiting for the date because Cole, I, I understand. Actually, I take it back. I don't understand why you would say this team is underrated other than we all had to come up with something. Somebody. They go through this stretch at the back end of the season where I don't have the schedule in front of me. But they go through this stretch at the back end of the season where they're going to come out of maybe their last is it seven games with a win like I think this is going to be a 6 and 6 team. They'll go to a bowl game but nobody is going to feel good about it at season's end.
- [02:46]
Cole
The question that I have right now, I think more than anything else is you have talent. You have talent. It's clear because of. We all have not entirely sold our stock on the north sellers. None of us have said that Dylan Stewart's going to be anything less than a first round pick. We believe that Nick harbor, with time another year can show why he is an elite wide receiver prospect. They went out and they brought in names via the portal that were top tier options mean Jakaria's peak being the best offensive tackle South Carolina landed him. If you end up going 5 and 7 this year, you end up being underwhelming and you have talent. Is that finally a moment of where you admit that it's a coaching thing and whether or not it's fair or warranted. The South Carolina fans have expectations and it, it does feel like that. While you and I and Chris can all say 8 and 4 in this sec with a 9 conference game schedule and, and a rivalry against Clemson, who's always at least decent, that, that that's a good year. That's a solid season. It, it doesn't feel that way for South Carolina fans. We have to be in the same realm as Alabama, as Georgia, as anyone. And it's like be content being in the same realm like Tennessee right now or Ole Miss right now or Missouri right now. You get to 10 wins and you're in the College Football Playoff. That's a good year. That's a great year.
- [04:09]
Demetri
It is cold. But you're talking about something that is not realistic. I mean it's just they have like
- [04:14]
Cole
3, 11 win seasons their entire tenure.
- [04:17]
Chris
Oh, to give you. So to give you. This is one of my favorite conversations every single year because I think people need to understand historical context. South Carolina has won 10 or more games in a season in their history. Four times.
- [04:29]
Cole
Four times.
- [04:29]
Chris
Three of those came under Steve Spurrier and the other one, rest his soul, Joe Morrison, the Black Magic season in 1984. Chris, nine or more games in a season nine times. So just.
- [04:41]
Demetri
Yeah, go ahead. Sorry, I don't mean to stop.
- [04:42]
Chris
I'm just gonna say just understanding historical context when you say that, you know, I, I see a lot of people on a yearly basis. Demetri, I know you do as well that throw out casually that nine or 10 wins. And it's like you do understand what you are saying.
- [04:58]
Demetri
Yeah.
- [04:58]
Chris
Historical context. How unlikely not to say it can't happen special of a season.
- [05:05]
Demetri
That would be 1,000%. Cole, Chris and I, we've known each other for about a decade. We figured out. And for about 10 years we have been texting each other. This fan base does not live on the same planet that the rest of us do. This time last year, I was down in Columbia doing some shows on 10, 7, 5, the game. And one day I just realized, like, oh, I've never gone by, I've seen the baseball statue, but I've never seen Dawns statue downtown. I've never seen Asia statue in front of the. In front of the arena. So I drove around, I looked at both of them, and I came in that day and talked about like, you know, George Rogers has his statue outside of football. And what dawn has done is great. And the baseball national championship is great. This is an SEC school. It's a football school. I think the place would be on fire if they did a Spurrier statue out front of Williams. Bryce. And the number of people that called in to tell me, well, he never won a national championship. How can you give him a statue? Was like, you understand that like, you are setting a standard that you will never achieve if that is what it takes to celebrate the best coach you've ever had. Like, they. They just. Everything Chris laid out is 100% true. And every single person that wears garnet in black refuses to acknowledge it.
- [06:24]
Chris
I. I want to. Guys, we'll. We'll zero in on Beamer here in just a second. But I want to, because I feel, you know, obviously on a year in, year out basis, you're building a program. And when you hired a guy like Shane BEAMER Back in December 2020, you know, you continue to learn more about him because it was first ever time being a head coach. Heck, first ever time being anything other than a position coach, essentially. God was never a coordinator. But you continue to learn about the tenure. Right. As it continues to go. So I want to ask y', all, what's the most concerning thing coming out of last year? Because to Dimitri's point, I picked him to go 7 and 5 last year. And you thought I'd committed a war crime. Yeah, 4 and 8. Because everybody was under the assumption, this team's gonna go 10 and two. They're in the playoff. It's a shoe in. What's the most concerning thing coming out of last year? Is it. Or maybe I could even argue the biggest question because yes, there's talent, but that talent went 4 and 8 last year. Yes, you've done things and we're going to get more into details to fix like the offensive line for example. But there's still a lot of unknowns. Or is the bigger question, I wonder. South Carolina and Shane were pointed out at SEC media days. Guys, they had six losses last season that were one score games going the fourth quarter and they had games just slipped through their fingers. I mean they were inventing ways. It felt like at times to lose games. They had Alabama beat, they couldn't do it. I mean the A M game was the most inexcusable thing any of us will ever see. Like, do you look at that as like, well, that was just a one off and a crazy season or is that a real concern? Like what's the most concerning thing coming out of last year going into this year where it's like, you know, was that a one off or is this kind of part of this program at this point who you are?
- [08:08]
Demetri
Yeah, see, gosh, it's, it's so tough to answer that question, Chris, because yes, it's a one off but also that one off is kind of should be expected when you have a coach like Shane Beamer, when you have a guy that he's choosing assistance based on who else is growing up in a long shadow of their dad? Right? Like I don't get me wrong, I know what Kendall Briles year one in a Kendall Browns offense means to a team but also know what year two at a Kendall Browns offense means to a team. So great he's got a band aid. He doesn't have the solution. I, I think that no matter what talent is on the field, the coaches will always lower the ceiling on them. I just don't think this is a very good coaching staff and I don't think Shane is putting his trust in the right people. Even the great year they had like Chris, you know this like how much did, how much of the conversation about the 24 team was. Imagine if someone more creative than Dallas Loggins was calling plays for this.
- [09:13]
Chris
I mean Shane Beamer's in a great position. Not many guys get four OCs, but that is essentially what they're on. We'll, we'll dive into the office just like I do want to before we get off the shame everything. And we can talk about this more when we get to the overall outlook for this, for this group and the expectations. Let's not forget it was Shane Beamer after the Clemson game last season that essentially said, hey, we, and I'm paraphrasing, but we expect, yeah, we expect to be sitting right here after this Clemson game next year. Allah, this year talking about the College Football Playoff. So he has set those expectations for South Carolina. And I sent you guys the graphic that the College Football Playoff Twitter account posted from what Shane Muir said at media days yesterday. Quote, the expectations always has been since I've been the head coach and always will be at South Carolina to compete for championships and to compete for a spot in the 12 team playoffs. So listen, I will give Beamer credit that he is leaning into big time expectations. But the negative side of that is, I mean, bear, you're right. 8 and 4 won't land when you continue to harp to your fan base that we should expect to be going to the playoff. And I will be honest with you, year six, honestly, you probably should be expecting to go to the playoffs.
- [10:30]
Demetri
Absolutely.
- [10:31]
Cole
Year six be in the conversation of it at least. Bare minimum.
- [10:35]
Demetri
Like I think one thing that be. And granted, he cannot do this publicly. I get that. I think Beamer would do himself a big favor to acknowledge I have benefited up until last year. I've benefited from an unserious athletic director. Just period. I, I've benefited from an old model of successful head coach. Let's give him the retirement handshake. Who look how long, look how many years of Will Muschamp failing to launch we had to go through before Tanner was willing to pull the trigger.
- [11:08]
Chris
You know Ray Tanner shed tears.
- [11:11]
Demetri
Yes.
- [11:12]
Chris
At the press conference. When they fire like that's how incompetent Ray Tanner was. He shed tears over it.
- [11:19]
Demetri
To be fair, Chris, I have heard from multiple coaches, including David Cutcliffe, who does not seem to like anybody else in coaching. That mush champ is an amazing hang. So maybe, maybe it really is tough to fire.
- [11:34]
Cole
Time out. Nobody likes Cutcliffe.
- [11:36]
Demetri
No, no, no. Cutcliffe doesn't seem to have like unabashed good things to say about anybody. Like everything.
- [11:43]
Chris
He doesn't like anyone.
- [11:44]
Demetri
Yeah, no, no, he, he likes.
- [11:46]
Cole
Oh, he's a curmudgeon.
- [11:47]
Demetri
He's a curmudgeon. He wants to know I could beat that guy.
- [11:51]
Cole
So, so here's where I am. And it goes back to what was the biggest flaw last season. It's the same flaw that we had going into the end of last season. Shane Beamer talked a big game before the Final whistle. More often than not. The.
- [12:04]
Demetri
The.
- [12:04]
Chris
The.
- [12:04]
Cole
The. The South Carolina. The South Carolina Texas A M game. He lost half the fan base because of. If you're gonna run your mouth and talk the way that you do. And remember, this wasn't just a, oh, look at what we're doing now. He brought up other games in the past. He mentioned how well, you know, people doubt us in the past.
- [12:25]
Chris
Look at what we did.
- [12:25]
Cole
Look at what, you know, three weeks ago we were left for dead. We did that. And then you blow a 30 point lead and it's embarrassing on fourth down. Marcel Reed is like five of five and he's able to lead the ultimate comeback that propels them into the College Football Playoff and makes them an 111 season because of you. Don't offer a stance. I, I love Shane Bieber. I. I've made this abundantly clear to you. I make this abundantly clear to everybody out there. If there is one coach I want my kid to play for, it would be Shane. He is in my top five. I would run through a brick wall for. I love everything about who Shane Beamer is as a coach, but, dude, time and place. And right now, knowing that you had one of the most disappointing seasons we have seen probably in the last decade, and talking about going to the college football play this time next season, we'll be sitting right here talking about how we're in the playoff format. Brother, you basically are writing yourself a death wish of, hey, if we don't make the playoff, I'm Lincoln Riley and I'm going to be shown the door because that's the conversation going on with the other usc. Do you really want to follow the same path?
- [13:35]
Chris
Final thing. And we can put a pin in it, guys, because I want to get into this year's team. But I know Demetri, again, we both have a history being in the Palmetto State. Probably still have a lot of connections and friends that our fans of the Gamecocks follow. The Gamecocks. And I'm curious to get Dimitri's perspective, especially that A M game. Dimitri, like Beamer, had built up so much goodwill to that point where, like, saying anything negative about Shane Beamer was going to be met with. Yeah, not a positive response. That was the first time where I saw a lot of people turn on him, where it was like, we're done. We're essentially done.
- [14:11]
Demetri
They.
- [14:11]
Chris
They are now. They are now going into this season. It's almost a guilty until proven innocent feeling, like. And I just, you know, no, no coach is immune to the effects of winning and losing. I don't care how much, how likable. I mean, it's. This is South Carolina's version of Sam Pittman. I don't care how likable you are. Like, you have to win at some point. But I just. There was almost a part of me, Demetri, I never thought we could get to this point because he was so well liked. And there's still a, you know, a large group that support and want him to be there for the long haul. But that was the first time where I was like, man, like, people are really. The stock has plummeted, essentially, so 100.
- [14:50]
Demetri
I think that, you know, you got to remember that A and M game was the first one after they got rid of. Of Shula. So there was this feeling in the fan base of, well, the real problem. The real weight is off of our necks now. But it's. It's funny, Chris, I had forgotten about the. Until you just did that for Cole. And it dawns on me that I think if you're like me, you look at Shay. There's a lot of Taylor Swift in Shane Bieber, which is. He's very obsessed with his own history and his Easter eggs, right? That is a reference to his father. 00 tie against Wake Forest. The. The number of times he'. Exact same pose picture that Steve Spurrier has taken. Right There is so. And then, like Taylor Swift and her obsession with her Easter eggs. The last three albums, she's dropped alters, right? So that's. That's kind of where we are with Shane Beamer. There is a lot of leaning into the hype, leaning into the culture of expectation that you have created and not delivery. I am shocked it took everyone else as long to get here as. Or it took. It took everybody else so much longer to get where I've been from about day two with this guy, he just seems very hollow to me.
- [16:18]
Cole
So to be clear, you're telling me that Shane Beamer is also going to get married on July 3rd in the Madison Square Garden and have literally half the city of New York shut down? Because if he has Temper tantrum. Gotcha. Okay. Just making sure my wife is not going to welcome you into my house anymore. I'm just letting you know that right now.
- [16:34]
Demetri
She's such a. I. I consider 1989 a pop music masterpiece. Everything since then, I've kind of gone like, what are we doing here?
- [16:43]
Cole
Oh. When I say Life of a Showgirl is an overrated album, and it's one of her Weaker pieces. God forbid I have to sleep on the couch this night.
- [16:50]
Demetri
Yeah.
- [16:52]
Chris
All right, all right. Let's. Let's rein it in and actually talk about this year's South Carolina football team because listen, Cole thinks they're one of the most underrated teams in the sec. There is reason for excitement and optimism starting on the offensive side. And guys I have said that you could label this season essentially such as this. Can Kendall Brile save Shane Beamer? Because if Shane Beamer is going to be at South Carnival in the long haul, it's going to be because his fourth offensive coordinator. That means Kendall Briles worked and there's reason for optimism. The last time I saw Kendall Browns in the sec, Arkansas was winning nine games. So he has done some productive things with SEC offenses. K.J. jefferson, his last quarterback in this conference you can relate to to a Lenora Sellers. He's obviously trying to fix an offense that ranked 15th in scoring, 14th in rushing a season ago. Lenora Sellers, like I mentioned is back at QB1 which is a massive boost. The fact he didn't go to the draft or hit the portal, huge win for South Carolina and far retaining him. Guys, the offensive line is completely revamped via the portal and it was a group that good thing they did because they allowed 43 sacks a season ago. There's a new O line coach. They're obviously hopeful guys for Jakarius Peak, the NC State transfer to be ready early in the season. Of course he was hurt earlier in the spring playing pickup basketball which is the most South Carolina headline of all time. Matt Fuller, Jawar Howell, Christian Clark, the Texas transfer, all man the running back position. Who is RB1 I think is a big question going into the season. Nick harbor, getting him back. I mean one of the most, one of the the freakiest athletes Paul's in the SEC returns. You know, you saw glimpses of what he could do a season ago and now it's getting more out of him. Can he be that true Wide receiver One weapon on the outside go to guy for Lenora Sellers. Jaden Sellers, his brother is back. Mo Bennett's back. Donovan Murph, they're all back at wide receiver. They also add Nitro Tuggle which I actually think from Purdue is a really sneaky good pickup. I think this guy could be a big weapon in the offense. Brady Hunt, Mike Tyler back at the tight end position guys as well. When you look at this offense, I mean I think it's very simple. There's a lot of question marks but the number One question is this guys, can Kendall Briles get Lenoris Sellers back to more so looking like the 2024 version of himself versus the 2025 version of himself where I mean Dimitri has pointed out Mike Shula. I mean just a master class on how to ruin a potent quarterback. They tried to keep him in the pocket and team cock fans will shiver when I say the world pro the word pro style offense. Because that has been something that Shane Beamer's offensive coordinators have lived and died by and most of the time died by. The offenses have not been great. So it's Kendall Briles job to bring some excitement, some unpredictability, some flair to this offense. And that starts with number one, the offensive line getting fixed. But number two guys, all in all, Lenora Sellers has got to have a big year closer to the version of the 2024 version of himself. If South Carolina is going to surprise,
- [20:04]
Demetri
there is a reason. One of the 2015 Carolina Panthers once told me that they weren't quite, quite sure why Mike Shula got an NFC championship ring. That Cam Newton was actually running that offense. And you know you saw the same thing with Lenora Sellers, right? You have this freak athlete that you are trying to turn into a quarterback in the vein of yourself rather than maximize what it is he can do for you. Not as a quarterback but as a guy with the ball in his hand. How can he just make a play for you? And Lenores is a very capable quarterback. You should be looking at that as addition, not what I have to do instead. Kendall Briles has a history wherever he has been for multiple years because you'll remember after Baylor it was like a year at Florida Atlantic, a year at Houston, a year at fsu. But he had three year runs at Arkansas and then most recently at tcu. He has a history of year one being a massive improvement. Year two he falls back to the pack in a big way and then in year three, you know, ticks up. I don't know if that is a sign of things to come because he's never lasted beyond year three in any job. So I would expect given that given the amount of talent that Sellers has, if I am Shane, I am looking at Kendall and saying I need you to work on Lenoris, Lenoris's trust in Nick. So get Nick harbor where it is. We think he needs to be because we need the deep shot back. We need some reliability in being able to flip the field quickly.
- [21:45]
Cole
Well when you add in a guy like Nitro Toggle, I Expect it to be three things, one fast, two explosive and three, shot out of a freaking cannon. So hopefully that's added on in and that does help with the explosive plays that you're talking about. I think they're on. Their running back room is vastly underrated. Matt Fuller had some good moments last season down the stretch. I love the addition of Christian Clark coming on in from Texas. Now, most people don't remember Christian Clark because if he was buried down the depth chart and they were trying a bunch of other players, but Clark had two or three games where he showed that burst in agility that was allowing him to be kind of a home run threat. And what I, what I think is important here. The best season that we saw with Lenore sellers came in 2024 when they had a good run game headlined by Rocket Sanders. I, I think if you want to take all the pressure off of Sellers having to be the first, second and only option, you have to have a sufficient run game. I, I think that you're closer to that. But much like it comes to when we talk about, like Oklahoma and John Mattier for that instance, none of this matters if your offensive line is still cardboard crap. It just doesn't. You had the worst offensive line and I will go so far as you had the worst offensive line among power four teams last year. Like straight up. You were awful, it was embarrassing and frankly put, it was one of the most disastrous moments I think, of a tenure for a coach who had all the expectations. It doesn't matter what you have when it comes to wide receiver play, what you got, a tight end, what you got in the run game. Bottom line is that if you don't have an offensive line holding its block for at least three seconds, you're out of the luck. And that's where I think right now, making the most underappreciated move, I think of the off season for South Carolina was bringing in a guy like Randy Clemons who has a relationship with Kendall Briles. Okay, cool. So we're basically running the TCU offense that we had a season ago, and the guy that helped us have a good overall ideology with our running game is joining forces with Neopa Columbia. That's great, but you still have to have the right guys. And honestly, the sass of Jakaria's peak is a big deal because of, let's be honest for a second, that's supposed to be a difference maker at left tackle. That's supposed to be a guy that can come on in and be an All SEC type player. And if you don't have him by the time that you play Mississippi State or you have to face off against Oklahoma, like Oklahoma later in the year and he still is out at that, at that level, you might as well be filing up the resume and getting on the phone if you're Jeremiah Donati and seeing who is going to be available to become the next South Carolina head coach. Because if you don't have an offensive line, you're going to have no shot whatsoever.
- [24:17]
Chris
Yeah, Shed Serat guys returns from last year. He did play some, but it's essentially an entirely poor portal built. I mean they completely flipped this room. They're depending on guys from Purdue, from Central Florida, East Carolina and Ferris State to fix the offensive line. So I, I just think the big question is can, and I'm not saying they can't do it. I'm just listing off where they all came from in the portal. Can. Maybe the bigger question, Lenora Sellers, can the offensive line just be even just slightly average? If it's just slightly below average, it's still way better than it was last year.
- [24:53]
Demetri
Yeah.
- [24:53]
Chris
And it's at least going to give Lenora Sellers an opportunity. Because guys, here's the part, let's say the quiet part out loud. The reason South Carolina was so successful in 2024 and the reason Lenora Sellers looked the way he did is because he had Rocket Sanders next to him. That's the biggest reason that he was able to play free and play loose and the offense had success. So they've got to find a way. I mean, it's no secret to meet you. You've. You, you know this as well as anyone. When South Carolina has teams that can run the football, guess what they do. They win football.
- [25:22]
Demetri
Yeah.
- [25:23]
Chris
Barring 2020, which was just a weird year, but typically when they can run the football, they're successful. I mean, that's offensive line has plagued this program for, for decades. This isn't even just a Shane Beamer thing. This is just a South Carolina thing for whatever reason.
- [25:39]
Demetri
Well, that's when you talk about 2024, when you describe Lenores as playing loose and free. Like in the time that I have been around South Carolina and talking about this team and covering this team. I can't remember another situation outside of 2024 where you had one of the conference's very best running backs at a quarterback that was just as much of a threat to move the ball on the ground. Like I, I know this was past, past Kendall Briles days in Fayetteville. But I, I think about what K.J. jefferson did in that loss to Alabama where afterwards Saban was like, that is Jason Bourne. Like, I don't know how to make sense of that human being and think that is very much what we expected North. North Carolina or I'm sorry, Lador Sellers. I don't know why I said North Carolina to grow into. And that's, that's what you would hope he could be with a more creative play caller.
- [26:40]
Chris
Now, guys, the reason there's so much emphasis on the offense and getting that fixed because as we move the defensive side of the football, they've held up their end of the bargain for the most part. I mean, listen, they took a step back last year, ranked 10th, but I think a lot more of it had to do with the struggles of the offense and putting them in some really tough situations. Clayton White is back at defensive coordinator. And listen, shout out to Clayton White, guys. He's been there since year one of Shane Beamer and I think it goes to show the job that he's done. South Carolina, they were talking about this on SEC Network. Over the last five years, they've got over a hundred turnovers force. They lead the SEC in that category. And obviously in a day and age of explosive offenses, turnovers is probably the most important statistic. So again, they have been holding up their end of the bargain and they got Dylan Stewart back at the edge. Now here's what I think is interesting. Anytime there's an injury report around South Carolina and from Shane Beamer, it's something you got to keep an eye on. What is the status of his back injury? Shane Beamer updated yesterday, saying they're, they're starting to run around a little bit, but it kind of feels like going back to the must champ days. He's got an ankle, he's got a foot, he's got a shoulder. Why? I mean, I've got an ankle, foot and shoulder as well, but I don't really know what that means. So something to keep an eye on. Fully expecting Dylan Stewart will be ready to go week one. But always, you know, especially when you're dealing with the back, always something to keep an eye on. But Dylan Stewart, assuming he's healthy, one of the best edge rushers in all of college football. Gabriel, Gabriel Brownlow, Dendy and Tamiwa Doraj from Illinois, man. The interior, Julian Walker, fresh keep an eye on. That's a potential breakout star for them. At the other edge, they're really excited about Fred Johnson and Justin Okarakuo. I believe, is how you say it back at linebacker. Yeah, they're both fantastic players. I think South Carolina actually has a very underrated linebacker room. You get Peyton Williams, Bakari Swain, and Judge Collier back in the secondary. So, guys, your thoughts on the Gamecocks defense? And again, I'll echo this yet again. I think the reason there's so much emphasis on the offensive side, not to say the defense has been perfect by any means, but the defense hasn't been. The thing that you look at and say, oh my God, this team's Achilles heel is just they can't stop anybody because the offense over the years has put them in such difficult spots and they're doing all they can forcing turnovers. Clayton White, I think's done a really good job there. So it feels like yet again, even with some of the departures they had, you feel like at this point, hey, we can count on the defense at least being solid under Clayton White here.
- [29:09]
Cole
Let me throw it to you this way. Do you think that South Carolina can be a top five defense in the SEC this year with what they have?
- [29:15]
Chris
Fringe top five. But that's a good, I mean, if you're top half of the league, I think that's plenty enough to win a lot of games.
- [29:23]
Cole
Nobody's saying that about, about the offense, which is why there is so much of an emphasis on getting this offense right. The young talent that I think that Shane Beamer has brought in, you mentioned Julian Walker, but the other name I want to throw out there is the, the, the, the defensive tackle, Noah Clark. He's another guy who was a four star talent that hopefully is going to become the next Taka Hemingway type player. A big defensive tackle that is not afraid to go ahead and get into the nitty gritty of it all. Their depth on the defensive line I think is a massive win this year because if you can rotate guys, you can have situations where if you want to run a three defensive end and one and a nose tackle up the middle, you can do that. Because if you brought in the Collins brothers and you brought back Gabriel Brownlow Dindy, and you brought in Caleb Herring from Tennessee, so you have opportunities to feel really good about a front seven that may be able to eliminate the run and a secondary that while there are some new pieces there and like Bakari Swains moving from not just being a punt returner full time, but now being a full time defensive back, you. You still feel like that they have the opportunity to kind of ease their way on it. They don't have to be from the jump. The elite shut down players that you saw a few years ago when you had Nicki Min worry back there. You have continuity on that side. So South Carolina defensively I have a strong inclination to believe they will be a group that we talk about weekly on either they did their part and it allowed the Gamecocks offense to work their way back in or they did their part and it still wasn't enough. Like I don't think we will get on here Saturday nights and talk about how South Carolina's defense gave up 400 total yards of offense and four touchdowns and got eviscerated and man coverage. That will never be the case. What it will be is all right, what do the offense look like to how they let them down?
- [31:14]
Demetri
Yeah, I think you know it's interesting the South Carolina this is a trend that predates Clayton White obviously predates the the Beamer staff. South Carolina has this long long history of having a dude in the secondary that everybody focuses on and gets and I'm talking about fans not other teams and gets lost like how sound they have been in the secondary for decades. I am not worried about South Carolina to your point Cole. I'm not worried about teams taking the top off of South Carolina week after week after week. I do I would point out that it feels like we have four years said I am not worried about the defense and the results have still been what they've been like. We can talk about how much talent there is on defense and I guess to the point about it's a trend that predates White and Beamer like you could say the same for depth on the defensive line like that that state produces enough talent that that program will never be lacking for players on the too deep of the of the defensive line but the results have been what they've been. So yeah like we are going to I think just dismiss the defense as that is not going to be the problem and talk more about our skepticism around the offense until they put together a 10 win year.
- [32:35]
Chris
I I wonder Dimitri, to your point I'm not trying to poo poo on Clayton White in the defense but it's almost to your point like if they had an elite offense would we talk about the defense the same way or is it that the offense is just so bad that it's like well at least the defense is serviceable.
- [32:51]
Demetri
You know I think I think we've had situations where like Stewart's freshman year Kinlaw Eman War like you've had stars that Then go to the NFL and, and prove it. Right. Like he man worry.
- [33:07]
Chris
Yeah, you're gonna have another one this
- [33:08]
Cole
year with Dylan Stewart. Probably.
- [33:09]
Demetri
Yeah. So, like, I, I don't think you can just dismiss that. It is totally about how bad the offense is. But to your point, Chris, when was the last time we talked about a Gamecock offensive player as like, well, we'll be fine because of this guy. The way we do defensive players on that.
- [33:28]
Cole
By the way, Chris, what did you say about the. The defense? Poo poo.
- [33:32]
Chris
I don't want to poo poo on
- [33:33]
Cole
Clayton White hanging out with Blake Rafino. I can understand that one.
- [33:36]
Chris
Yeah. That just felt like the most kind way to say that. So, again, we all agree the, the floor of the defense at least feels fairly high. And I mean, you talk about pressure, Clayton White, not, not necessarily got to throw a shutout, but you got to throw a. A one or two hitter every week. It feels like agree to the offense to. To get a win. Guys, let's talk special teams. There's probably no team in the SEC that I feel more inclined to talk special teams, of course, than South Carolina because Beamer ball, it's a huge factor in the way that they win games. And when they have success, they do things like block kicks and make big plays and return punts for touchdowns. And Max Kelly is looking to take over at the kicking situation. So they do have a question at kicker, if you will. Mason Love back at punter. He was really good for them a season ago. Bakari Swain, the big one back at returner. Three punt returns for touchdowns in 2025. Guys, let's. Let's talk a little Beamer ball. I, I feel like this is another one of those things you can just count on for South Carolina. And I tell you this, if they're going to hit, let's say, if they're going to do what Shane Beamer has said, which is be in the conversation or be in the College Football Playoff, we are going to look back and say special teams was superb. I don't think there's a recipe for South Carolina to have a big year under Shane Beamer's leadership without special teams being a major factor. You don't say that about every single team and every single program. But guys, I think it's just so ingrained in South Carolina's culture. And I think also when you're trying to pull some big upsets and flip the script on some games, you're counting on special teams to do so. Cole, you talked about the even years for Shane Beamer and the major successes they've had. I challenge you go back and look at those years. The constant with all of them was special teams was a weapon for them. I think it'll have to be the same this year.
- [35:29]
Demetri
It's not even just win special teams as a weapon like, you know, Swain returning so many punts for touchdowns last year. It is. Special teams is just so sound. Right. Like they're never going to be caught and out of position. They defend special teams really well under Shane Beamer. Like, you know, Chris, you mentioned earlier that Beamer has never been a coordinator and I guess technically that's true because he was a special teams coach. Right. And. And that shows up in the way that he and his father prioritize that phase of the game. It's, it's not just the big play. It is also you don't let the big play happen to you.
- [36:12]
Cole
What's interesting is that they may have other options outside of Akari Swain at punt returner. Which is why you talk about the athletes that go to Columbia and play at Willie B. It's impressive.
- [36:21]
Chris
Like, it's crazy. Nick harbor can't return points. It's crazy.
- [36:26]
Cole
No, but like, but like he's the keys, the main kick returner for them going into this year. And if it's not him, it could be Nitro Toggle. And Nitro Toggle was a return man for Purdue and he was really good at it. And so it's like you have athletes to where special teams to me is such a clutch factor to have because of either it is basically hot dog shit water or it is elite and there's no in between. And so like when you talk about a team like South Carolina having that as like an advantage, the way that Oklahoma has like a Tate Sandow where you just feel so confident that whenever he takes the field he's making the kick. Having that in one capacity, punting to be able to pin them deep inside their own territory. Return man who can go average 40 yards of play. Whatever it is, it gives you a plus. I think that the thing with South Carolina going into this year is that they may have three or four guys that can do that, at least in the return game. Now, again, doesn't mean every single time they're going to be out and they're going to start your game off at the 50. But knowing that you have a player too that could just be busted on open into the, into the flats for gain of 40 or 50, it's an advantage and it's a way to, I think, be able to help you set the tone for matchups moving forward.
- [37:36]
Chris
Guys, let's move to our overall outlook of the South Car Gamecocks going in the 2026 season. First things first, what are our friends over at Cali think? This is what they say, percentage chance when it comes to win totals, guys, Cali gives South Carolina an 84% chance to win five or more games, 72% chance to win six or more, 48% to win seven or more, 27% to win eight or more, 10% to win nine or more, 8% to win 10 or more, 3% to win 11 or more. And then 12 wins is under 1%. So the number kind of breaks, guys. Six and a half is kind of where you see from 72 to 48. That's where you see the big drop. Six and a half, seven right in that area. If you're talking about College Football Playoff, if South Carolina is going to get there, as Shane Beamer has laid out, they should be in the combo. Koshi gives him a 13 chance to be in the College Football Playoff. As far as winning the national championship, South Carolina with a less than 1% chance to win it all. The Gamecocks have nine starters back, four on offense, five on defense. Demetri, you alluded to earlier in the conversation, the schedule. Let's take a look at that. Because the schedule, of course, plays a big part. And is your schedule conducive to a big year? Two snoozers to open up the season, let's call it for what it is. But great opportunities for the offense to get their feet under them. Kent State and Towson and let's be there.
- [39:05]
Demetri
I don't know if you saw it, Mac, media days. Yesterday, Kent State rolled out some sick new uniforms.
- [39:10]
Chris
Well, let me. I mean, hey, to be fair, by
- [39:13]
Cole
the way, they home or away is the big question.
- [39:15]
Demetri
So they rolled out the home. But I would guess the away at least features the same colors.
- [39:21]
Chris
And I mean, listen, to be fair, to be fair, South Carolina has a history of struggling in season openers. Who can forget even 2024, the Old Dominion game, like ancient history. But I mean, that did happen. But again, Kent State, Towson. Excuse me. You feel confident with the way you're starting the season, easing into it, if you will. Your SEC opener is Mississippi State at Williams Bryce Stadium. Very, very interesting game. You're at Alabama to close out the month of September. You then welcome Kentucky to Willie B. To get October Going at Florida. The Gators are back on the schedule. You have a bye week. Tennessee at home, they're back on the schedule at Oklahoma on Halloween. Texas A and M at home to get November going at Arkansas. Georgia at home, they're back on the schedule. And then at Clemson to close out the season. Guys will open it to y' all your thoughts on the schedule for the Gamecocks this upcoming season.
- [40:18]
Demetri
They will start three zero and into three and six.
- [40:22]
Cole
So six and six on the year.
- [40:24]
Demetri
Six and six is what I have. Matt.
- [40:25]
Cole
Yeah, what's so interesting is that like yeah, you don't face off against an Ole Miss that was like that could be a toss up game. But you still face off against a Tennessee team. That could be a toss up game. Now the good news is the last time Tennessee came to your house they ran out of fireworks because you were scoring so much. So that's a plus at Willie B. But you still if, if South Carolina. The way that I think that we could talk about South Carolina is that if you end up making the College Football Playoff again, if Giant, if major, if gotta throw that out there as a million times possible, it will be warranted and you will have been tested because of every team that's on your schedule outside of Georgia, I think is in your categories or in your wheelhouse potentially if you are that good. I think Texas A and M could be is probably flirting with a 9 and 3 season. I think Alabama is flirting with a 9 and 3 season. I think Florida could be really impressive. I think Oklahoma is going to be flirting with the 9 and 3 season. Clemson for the matter of where they are in the ACC is flirting with the 10 and 2 season which would be 9 and 3 in the SEC. So like all those teams are at the same vicinity issue, which means they're all toss up games. You have a bad play here, you have a bad moment here. You have a, you have an absolutely horrendous punt return or a, a terrible interception in the fourth quarter. That's where momentum goes to the other side. So think of it like Lloyd Christmas said. You're saying there's a chance. Yeah. Kelsey says that you have a 13 shot at making the playoff there.
- [41:49]
Demetri
Let's say those are all toss up games. Those six that you just mentioned. Four of them are on the road and I'm not saying that instantly means South Carolina should be, should be considered at a disadvantage. But I will say for as many years as I have watched him and going to this team's games, I am Always surprised by. Even in the year of our Lord 2025, teams underestimate the environment of the Willie B. Particularly at night.
- [42:17]
Cole
Oh yeah.
- [42:18]
Demetri
So if this is a toss up game and you have that crowd and you have Sandstorm and you have that stupid chicken all on your side, I feel much better than having to do it at Tuscaloosa, at Norman, at Gainesville, etc. Etc.
- [42:33]
Cole
Guys, how dare you disrespect the war Chicken himself.
- [42:38]
Chris
Guys, the game that I circle on this schedule is October 24th against Tennessee because I, I think that game could serve one of two purposes. Both massively important because it kicks off the second half of your season. And I agree with Dimitri, you need to stack wins early. The first two non negotiable need to win Mississippi State and Kentucky are both massive. If you lose either one of those guys, that Tennessee game becomes the most important game of the season. Because I think there's a very good chance Shane Beamer is coaching for his job in that game. I don't think he'll be fired in the bye week, but I think his tenures on life support. If they lose one of those two and let's say they start three and three right. On the flip side, what if you start five and one and you win those games and then you go into the buy and then you go into Tennessee. That game will serve as hey, if we're for real going to make a run of the College Football Playoff, gotta win this one. That could propel you into the second half of the season because the Dimitri's point at Oklahoma A M, Georgia, at Clemson, they all await you. So what if we talk about Cole last year? They kind of had the same setup last year where we were like hey, they can get off to a really fast start. They can start 5, 0. You know, little did we know early on how good like a Vanderbilt was going to be and that that derailed them early. It was derailed before the season could ever really get going. You have to take advantage of the front half of this schedule. And again that's why I think the Tennessee game is so important. Because I think one of two things is happening in that game. Either Shane Beamer's coaching for his job or South Carolina is looking to propel themselves in the second half of the season to make their run potentially to the College Football Playoff. So I, I think it's a, a massive game and let's call for what it is, South Carolina people hate Tennessee. They hate them. So I mean Tennessee fans hate South Carolina. Because of the struggles they've had against them over the years. So I think that's a massively important game for them right in the middle.
- [44:37]
Cole
Is it wrong for me to say that the most impressed, like the game that I'm looking forward to the most is Mississippi State? Because that's gonna tell me a lot. Huge.
- [44:44]
Chris
I mean, I here's gonna tell me a lot. I. I don't disagree with you, Cole. I think there's a very strong case to be made that that is the most important game because if you lose to Mississippi State, the season is over before it ever even got started. Like you people will be ready to pack it up. If you lose to Mississippi State, grab
- [45:03]
Cole
your Tito's and your tequila and just start drinking.
- [45:06]
Chris
Because I mean I think people will be like that's. That will be the game that gets people fired in Shane or that will be the gamer fired in people's minds. Yeah, that'll be it.
- [45:17]
Cole
I have no complaints. Again, I but I agree with you, Chris, that Tennessee game is so important for so many different reasons. Because of it's literally a crossroad. Can you be that team that Shane Beamer's talked about all off season? We're competing for the football player. But you win against Tennessee at home, you do what you did to Tennessee the last time that they came into Willie Bay, people are going to start respecting you a lot more. People are going to start paying attention. You lose that game. Nice season. Welcome to Seven five. Really excited for you, bud.
- [45:50]
Chris
I know you can say this Cole and Demetri about a lot of teams too, but like the way they schedule, just how difficult the schedule is, it depends on, you know, what is Kentucky, Year one of Will Stein, what is Florida, Year one of John Sumrall. What is Tennessee in a year where some are expecting them to be down, what is, you know, what is Arkansas Year one or Ryan Superfood. What is Mississippi State really? What is A M? What is Oklahoma? Etc. So I can keep going down the list. So guys, as we put a pen in it in closing here, like let's circle back to the Shane Beamer conversation and I so much of it is around Shane Beamer just has to be right because I want to get you guys take on this. I have gone on record many times. I'll do so again here because I think it's fascinating. I think in our minds we have what a successful season would be for South Carolina. But then I go back to what Shane Beamer said after the Clemson game and it's like, well, should it be college? Should South Carolina be a college football playoff or bust team? And if not, Dimitri and Cole ask you, what must South Carolina do for the Shane Beamer era to extend past 2026? How many games must they win? Because I think we are past the point of, well, what does it have to look like? It's like, ah, we're, we're. This is the wins and losses business. And if he's going to be there for the long term, like, they gotta, they gotta win football game. So in your mind, Demetri, I'll start with you. What's the win total they gotta hit? What's it gonna look like for Shane Beamer to be back in 2027?
- [47:18]
Demetri
I, I don't think you could justify firing him if they win seven before the bowl game because that would be a massive, massive improvement from the year before. You've invested in Kendall Briles, etc, you know, etc. However, I do think winning seven, I do think winning even eight, like, we're still on this roller coaster, man. You have not proven you're the dude. This doesn't do anything other than buy you one more year. So, look, I am, I am not a believer in Beamer as being able to build a consistent winning program. The idea that they should be college football playoff or bust is very silly to me. Like, I, I do wonder if Shane Beamer has really been living in Columbia for the last six years, but I do think you won four games last year. You made a change with an offensive coordinator that has a history in year one of putting things on the path, path to improvement. I think if he wins seven, it's really hard to justify letting him go.
- [48:27]
Cole
I think it's eight wins. I think if you get eight wins, you are guaranteed back for another year. Now, again, as Chris, you like to point out, it's not about how it looks, right? It's, it's, it's somewhat how it looks because it's against who you win. Let, let's, let's say it's like Texas A and M schedule last season where we thought Texas A and M was going to get a bunch of teams that were better than expected. Auburn, Florida, South Carolina. And they didn't hold up their end of the bargain, so they got to 11 1. Do you have that signature win, like that win that really makes it seem like here we are put above everyone else. Do you go into Tuscaloosa and finally beat Alabama because you've been close the last two years? Do you have an opportunity to Beat Georgia? Do you march into Norman and find a way to mollywop the crap out of Oklahoma? Is Texas A and M, a team that is fighting for a playoff berth and you get to be the spoiler? I think that's kind of important. Eight wins. I think winning the game against Clemson at Clemson is a necessity. If you win that one again, you and you and you both. I don't have any ties to South Carolina, but you both have told me that game has meaning behind it. Like that has so much of an impact for what you do as the South Carolina. If you win that game and you're eight and four, you're not getting a contract extension, but you sure as hell are not getting fired. And then if you get the bowl winning, you Finish the year nine and four, you'll be a top 25 team. You'll be a team that people will buy into once again of being impactful in the portal. But I think you have to get to eight wins to guarantee your money. If you're seven and five, I, I, I can't promise that it's fair whether or not we could get seven and five like, like, like Shane or should be fair for a program like South Carolina. It's different. And let me remind everybody, Jeremiah Donati is now the, is now the athletic director. That was not a Shane Beam. That was not Jeremiah Donati. Higher. Keeping Shane Beamer around for one more year was a Jeremiah Donati move. Ads want their own people. They, at the end of the day, ads want their own people. That, that bottom line. So if you are not, if you're at 7 and 5 and there is a hotshot coordinator or a rising coach that's available and they say, I want to come to South Carolina, that's a move that's going to happen. I, I can.
- [50:46]
Demetri
There's the problem there. That person does not exist.
- [50:49]
Cole
Right.
- [50:50]
Demetri
Nobody is looking at South Carolina. Nobody is looking at that job. Given its recent history where the only people that have won there consistently or the only person that won there consistently is one of the greatest of all time. And saying that is that I could accomplish things there. Nobody is doing that.
- [51:10]
Cole
What, what I will say is I could see this being a Manny Diaz 2.0 at Miami because remember, Manny Diaz had the job. He was safe, he was secure. Everything was good. They didn't want him around anymore because if they were going after Mario Cristobal and Mario turned them down, they were going to run it back. Mario said yes. Hi. Get out of the building. Go enjoy being Penn State. Steve, it's coordinator. Like, if there is a dude like that, I could see. But again, you're right. It's not the job that's like in Alabama. It's not the Georgia.
- [51:36]
Demetri
South Carolina is not Miami. In, in so many ways. South Carolina is not Miami.
- [51:43]
Chris
I, I will say though, I think we're to a point where I'm, I don't want to hear anybody say anymore that he should continue to be the head coach because he, he wants to be there. I, guys, it's, he's getting paid eight and a half million dollars. I'd want to be there also. You know what I mean? Like, let's, let's remove that. As far as a qualification as to why you should be a head football coach anywhere, much less South Carolina. I, I think it's very, I say it's very simple. There is some gray area, but 8 and 4 or better, I think he should be back. I, I think that will deserve a job well done. See you in 2027. 7 and 5 is, is definitely great area for me. I'm actually going against exactly what I just said. From the standpoint of how does it look? I mean, if you have another A and M game, you have to be done. He's got to be fired. The offense needs to take a step forward because I, I think Shane Beamer is one of those where his tenure largely will be judged based off of. What did you do with Lenora Sellers? What, what did you, what did you get out of Lenora Sellers? I, I, I feel like there will be a very empty feeling for people if they don't achieve something of significance with a guy like Lenora Sellers at quarterback. I think 6 and 6 are worse and I think he has to be fired. But I will even go to this. Dimitri, I agree with you from the standpoint of I know there's not a lot of weight in 8 and 4 or 9 and 3 seasons anymore, especially 8 and 4. 8 and 4 used to be celebrated, right? I mean, it used to be something you could really hang your hat on. And how many times is South Carolina going to the Outback bowl and won it like that? That's one of the greatest seasons of program history. Let's go for what it is. No longer is 8 and 4 celebrated, but I still think 8 and 4 better. He should be back. You're right, though. At 7 and 5, it's kind of like we're stuck in this vicious cycle because 7 and 5 was, you were just good enough to keep your head above water.
- [53:32]
Demetri
That's really all it was, 100%. I.
- [53:36]
Chris
You didn't really win anything of real significance at 7 and 5, so. But I think there's a good chance he's back. I think 7 and 5 with a win over Clemson and I think he is back. But there's a lot in the fan base, guys that are, they have this playoff from us mentality. This is the best roster he's had since they've been here. I don't know if I fully agree with that, but that's what a lot of people were saying and they, and I will say you can't get mad at Gamecock fans for saying that though guys, because Shane Bieber himself set that expectation. So I'm kind of conflicted from the standpoint too. If I'm like, I'm sitting here talking about Kaylin Navor's seat being hot. I'm sitting here talking about, you know, some other coach, Steve Sarkeesian or whoever, hey, Lane Kiffin is natting or bust in year one, but Shane Beamer's not playoff or bust in year six. Yeah, I mean, and I understand historical context and I get it, but I mean I don't blame people for thinking that way. I really don't. Hey, roster be damned. You're the one that if the roster is not in a position to compete for a playoff in year six, it falls on one person. Yeah, the guy who put the roster together. So like I get that level of frustration where when people hear us say well 7 and 5 and he should be back in the saddle, it's like no, 7 and 5 is not good enough anymore.
- [54:57]
Demetri
Yeah, I, I hear you and you're not wrong at all. I just think that at the end of the day you are going to have to pay a buyout. You're not sure how attractive this job is. He did do the exact thing you asked him to do, a fix the offense and improve. I think they would be able to justify not making the move at 7.
- [55:17]
Chris
Even a 3 win performance to your credit. That'd probably be one of the best turnarounds.
- [55:24]
Demetri
Yes.
- [55:24]
Chris
Of anybody in the league.
- [55:26]
Demetri
Yeah, agreed. And on top of that, I, I think the other thing is like it's not just that they went out and got a more dynamic play caller. You've got a guy who has shown over and over again on a three year track does sustain like there will. Look, the numbers almost guarantee that if Kendall Briles and Shane Beamer get a year two together, it's not going to be as good as year one, but if they get a year three together, we're going to see year one all over again. I'm not saying any South Carolina fan should look at 7 and 5 and go, okay, things are good. I just think the math says it would be tough to justify paying all the money and doing the search.
- [56:12]
Chris
So if Demetri, I would say this. If you're South Carolina, 7 and 5 is like the worst case scenario.
- [56:16]
Demetri
Yes.
- [56:17]
Chris
It's like either show me you're it or get the hell out of Dodge.
- [56:21]
Demetri
Yeah.
- [56:22]
Chris
One of the two don't go. Seven and five is like the worst case scenario.
- [56:27]
Demetri
Yeah.
- [56:27]
Chris
That you could be in.
- [56:28]
Cole
More South Carolina fans would want to go 3 and 9 and 7 and
- [56:32]
Chris
5 because at least then you know. At least then you know. So one of the most fascinating teams in the sec. No doubt. Feels like a very boom or bust team in 2026. Guys, I'd love to get your thoughts. How do you feel South Carnival Fair this season as the countdown to kickoff of the game docs continues.