Entering his fourth season at USC, Will Muschamp believes he has his best team yet in Columbia. He’ll need it to survive a schedule ranked #1 for toughness in the country. Muschamp is heartened by the fact he has seniors splashed across his lineup in key spots, like quarterback, receiver, offensive and defensive lines and linebacker. And he feels his secondary will be much improved. Muschamp is 22-17 in three seasons at USC and 12-12 in the SEC. He’s won more league games in his first three seasons than any of his predecessors, and he’s the first Gamecock coach to take his team to a bowl game in each of his first three seasons. But, his fans are still waiting for his first wins over Clemson, Georgia,, Kentucky and Texas A&M. He’ll see all those this season, along with Alabama. The season opens August 31st against North Carolina in Charlotte.
Will Muschamp at SEC Media Days
Muschamp’s session with SC media prior to his SEC media rounds:
Will Muschamp…. https://t.co/vFBZrwT1Xj
— SportsTalk (@sportstalksc) July 17, 2019
USC at a glance (compiled by Menachem Muller)
Overall Conference
South Carolina Gamecocks 7-6 4-4 Lost Belk Bowl to Virginia
Will Muschamp 4th season 22-17 12-12
| Offense | 2018 | SEC Rank | NCAA Rank |
| Points Per game | 30.1 | 9 | 56 |
| Rushing Yards per game | 152.8 | 12 | 91 |
| Passing yards per game | 272.8 | 4 | 25 |
| Total yards per game | 425.6 | 7 | 43 |
| Defense | |||
| Points allowed per game | 27.2 | 11 | 69 |
| Rushing yards allowed per game | 195.3 | 13 | 95 |
| Passing yards allowed per game | 229 | 9 | 65 |
| Total yards allowed per game | 424.3 | 12 | 84 |
The Gamecocks return 16 starters; 7 on offense, 7 on defense, and the Kicker and Punter.
Statistical Leaders Returning
| QB | Yards | TDS | INT | PCT |
| Jake Bentley | 3171 | 27 | 14 | 61.9 |
| RB | Games | Yards | TD | AVG |
| Rico Dowdle | 12 | 787 | 5 | 5.7 |
| WR | Games | Yards | TD | REC |
| Bryan Edwards | 13 | 846 | 7 | 55 |
| Shi Smith | 11 | 673 | 4 | 45 |
| Defense | Tackles | TFL | INT | Sacks |
| Keir Thomas | 44 | 4.5 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Javon Kinlaw | 30 | 9.0 | 0 | 4.0 |
| T.J. Brunson | 106 | 10.5 | 0 | 4.0 |
| Sherrod Greene | 73 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jaycee Horn | 45 | 4.0 | 0 | 2.0 |
Returning Starters Offense
QB Jake Bentley
RB Rico Dowdle
WR Bryan Edwards
WR Shi Smith
C Donell Stanley
RG Sadarius Hutcherson
RT Dylan Wonnum
Returning Starters Defense
DE Keir Thomas
DT Javon Kinlaw
DT Kobe Smith
LB T.J. Brunson
LB Sherrod Greene
CB Jaycee Horn
S R.J. Roderick
Special Teams
K Parker White
P Joseph Charlton
Key Losses
WR Deebo Samuel
TE K.C. Crosby
LT Dennis Daley
LG Zack Bailey
LB Bryson Allen-Williams
CB Rashad Fenton
CB Keisean Nixon
S Steven Montac
