Joel Klatt admits he might be overrating South Carolina with No. 11 ranking in Preseason Top-25
Klatt released his ranking ahead of his season during his show on Monday. That included South Carolina as the eleventh-best team in the country based most on their two best players who are two of the best in entire sport, one on each side of the football, in QB LaNorris Sellers and DE Dylan Stewart.
'At No. 11, this is really a team that I think I've overrated them, but they've got a quarterback that I think is exceptional, they have a defensive player that could be one of the best defenders in the sport and so, because of that, I've got to rate them high,' said Klatt. 'Maybe not Top-10 but, at eleven, I've got South Carolina.'
'I'm talking about (QB) LaNorris Sellers, Dylan Stewart off the edge. Just those two alone, right? Like, they've got something going,' Klatt said.
There's little denying how good that Sellers, entering his second season as their starting quarterback, and Stewart, entering his second season period, are in Columbia. That said, the rest of the roster of the Gamecocks will have to come along around them, especially on defense. They'll have the time to do that based on the schedule, though, with their first five games through September being much easier than their final seven games from October 11th on.
'The defense has got to replace a good amount, in particular on that defensive line. But, Beamer has recruited well. Shane knows what he's doing on the recruiting trail and the talent level has risen in that program and they're going to have time to develop and get better as the season goes,' said Klatt. 'This team's schedule is backloaded. South Carolina is going to have a monster schedule late their last seven, so they're going to have time to get themselves to that point.'
Where they are by the time that back seven starts could then determine whether South Carolina is back in contention for spots in the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff. That's with all six of their power opponents in that stretch being in the Top-25 for Klatt, including three of those who are in his Top-10.
'Their last seven games? Here's what it looks like – at , , , at , then they have an off week, then they're at , then you get the beautiful SEC-November cupcake in , then to finish,' Klatt read. 'That's difficult. Very difficult, in particular when you throw Clemson on in the non-conference and you've got to play an SEC schedule. You know, like, South Carolina is going to have to bring their lunch pail just to make it to the postseason.'
South Carolina was the fourth team out a year ago for the CFP. It's now a question of if those returning stars can lead a different team to playoff contention this fall.
'You know, this is a team that was knocking on the door last year, had a chance but didn't get over that hump,' said Klatt. 'Maybe they get over that hump this year with an experienced quarterback and really quality players on the defensive side.'
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