SEC Network analyst sees Gamecocks beating Georgia
A pair of SEC Network analysts made bold predictions for USC this upcoming season as the Gamecocks look to improve on their 7-6 (3-5 SEC) showing from Year 1 under Beamer. In a TV segment sure to fire up Gamecocks fans — in a good way — former Auburn linebacker and 15-year NFL player Takeo Spikes said Tuesday that he sees USC upsetting defending national champion Georgia in Week 3 of the season in Columbia. His main reason why? Spikes is a big Spencer Rattler fan and thinks the former Oklahoma quarterback will give the Georgia defense trouble.Last season, USC lost to the Bulldogs 40-13 in Athens, Georgia. “I am completely sick of the disrespect that you’re putting on Spencer Rattler,” Spikes said to his fellow analysts. “And I didn’t even play quarterback. But let me tell you why, though: It’s so much the element of surprise. We talk about how can a defense prepare for a quarterback that they haven’t seen, and that’s what Spencer Rattler brings to the table. ... I’ve really got this team upsetting Georgia at home in Columbia.”
The Gamecocks open the 2022 season at home against Georgia State on Sept. 3 and then jump straight into conference play with a difficult road test at Arkansas before hosting the defending national champs at noon Sept. 17 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Excitement around the USC program is building after Beamer’s team exceeded expectations last season and secured a Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over North Carolina. The addition of Rattler from the transfer portal this offseason only adds to the buzz. Though Rattler struggled and was ultimately benched at Oklahoma last season, he was once in the Heisman Trophy conversation, and the Gamecocks are hopeful they can help Rattler regain that form.
One of Spikes’ colleagues at SEC Network, analyst Jordan Rodgers, was similarly bullish on the Gamecocks, going so far as to predict a second-place finish for the Gamecocks in the SEC East. USC finished in fifth place in the division last season. “I think they are, right now for me, the second-best team in the East,” Rodgers said. “Honestly. They completely overperformed for what that roster was and the carousel they had of three quarterbacks, none of which were gonna help them win. They won those games in spite of their quarterback play at times. You add a guy like Spencer Rattler. The hate for Spencer Rattler, too, I believe is completely overplayed.”