HOOVER — The South Carolina Gamecocks have one of the most daunting schedules in the country.
How challenging? South Carolina faces Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, Clemson and Appalachian State. Even though that is a mighty difficult slate of games for fourth-year head coach Will Muschamp’s team to take on but don’t expect Muschamp to view it as a negative.
“I know people are going to ask me about the schedule,” Muschamp said. “Hell, schedule’s hard every year. That is the way I look at it. We have a great opportunity to step forward as a program to be in the limelight on both Saturdays in the Southeastern Conference and take advantage of the opportunities we have in front of us.”
Muschamp added, “In my opinion, we have our best team coming back in South Carolina since I have been there, and we’re looking forward to that opportunity.”
Muschamp has won 22 games in his first three seasons, which is the most wins through first three seasons at South Carolina. The former LSU assistant coach is looking for his program to take that next step this season and that is why he has challenged the Gamecocks this offseason.
“This offseason, I really challenged our players in terms of leave no doubt about the things that take no talent, effort, toughness, discipline, competitive edge to earn what you get every single day and have a team-first mentality, which are basically the core values in our program,” Muschamp said.
Muschamp is looking for his seniors to lead the way in not only accepting the challenge, but also guiding South Carolina to the next level.
“And this senior class, which is a really special senior class to me, we’re going into our fourth season,” Muschamp said. “A lot of these guys have about four-year starters, three-year starters, two-year starters, a bunch of quality people, number one, but really good football players that came to South Carolina in a coaching transition, taking over a team that won three games.”
Jake Bentley is one of those seniors.
Bentley is coming off a season in which he threw for 3,171 yards with 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Muschamp is hopeful that Bentley can have a breakout season in 2019.
“I’m excited about Jake going into his senior year,” Muschamp said. “He’s played good quality football for us. He’s the second leading returning passer in the Southeastern Conference. Played extremely well at times last season for us. We need to finish more balls down the field for him, and he needs to do a good job taking care of the football in situations.”
Even if the Gamecocks do play quality football will it be enough with that daunting schedule? Muschamp for one isn’t going to lose sleep over it.
“I’m not worried about the schedule,” Muschamp said. “I’m worried about the Gamecocks. That’s all. I’m worried about the things that we can control. Again, I think that’s why you come to a place like South Carolina or you come to the Southeastern Conference, to play against the best and be in the limelight every week and have great opportunities every single Saturday.”