Georgia State at South Carolina 9/3/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The South Carolina Gamecocks host the Georgia State Panthers on Sept. 3 to open the 2022 season.

A 6-16 record over two seasons led South Carolina to bring back former assistant coach Shane Beamer to lead the program. The move paid off, as Beamer’s team went 7-6 overall in his first ever season as a head coach. Now the Gamecocks will be looking to improve upon their 3-5 mark in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

The biggest offseason news on the South Carolina campus was the addition of transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler from Oklahoma. Beamer was an Oklahoma assistant from 2018 to 2020. Rattler complete 70% of his passes for more than 4,500 yards, 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during his time with the Sooners.

The Gamecocks have plenty of talent for Rattler to throw to between returners and transfers that include Antwane Wells from James Madison. Wells caught 116 passes for 1,853 yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons at JMU. Beamer will be looking for an improved running game behind a veteran offensive line as well.

South Carolina’s defense ranked sixth overall in the SEC allowing 356 yards and 24 points per game. The Gamecocks’ pass defense was stellar, leading the conference and ranking seventh in the nation by allowing just 181 yards per game.

Now in his sixth season at Georgia State, Shawn Elliott has a record of 30-30. Elliott spent seven seasons on the South Carolina staff before becoming the Panthers head coach. The Panthers were 8-5 overall in 2021 and 6-2 in Sun Belt Conference contests.

The Georgia State roster is filled with veteran players who have contributed to three straight winning seasons ending in bowl appearances. The offensive line is a strength, returning four starters including Second Team All-Sun Belt center Malik Sumter and Third Team All-Sun Belt guard Pat Bartlett.

Running behind that line is a trio of seniors. Quarterback Darren Grainger rushed 134 times for 646 yards and three touchdowns, while handing off 320 times to running backs Tucker Gregg (192 carries, 953 yards) and Jamyest Williams (128 carries, 859 yards). Gregg and Williams each scored nine times. Grainger completed 136 of 228 passes for 1,715 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. Six different receivers caught 20 or more passes.

The Panthers’ defense is a weak point, but they can get after the quarterback and are improving.