SEC Football: Preseason power rankings for 2023 season

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 01: Jamon Dumas-Johnson #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs defends during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 01: Jamon Dumas-Johnson #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs defends during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) /
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South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

8. South Carolina Gamecocks

Now entering year three under head coach Shane Beamer, South Carolina sits at No. 8 in our 2023 preseason SEC football power rankings.

The Gamecocks are coming off one of their best single-seasons in recent memory, a year in which they finished 8-5 overall, as well as 4-4 in SEC play. Falling in the Gator Bowl to conclude the year, this would be the Gamecocks highest overall win total since 2017, as well as their highest mark in conference play since going 4-4 during the 2018 season.

Returning for South Carolina this fall is one of the SEC’s top QB/WR duos in Spencer Rattler and Antwane Wells Jr. on offense, along with others such as Ahmarean Brown and Juju McDowell. On defense, the Gamecocks also return many of their top tacklers such as Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith in the secondary, along with others elsewhere on defense.

South Carolina will also likely have a few true freshmen make significant impacts this season, with two of the biggest names to know being that of Nyck Harbor and Grayson Howard. The same can also be said for some of the Gamecocks transfer additions, with the likes of Arkansas tight end Trey Knox and Memphis wide receiver Eddie Lewis certain to make an impact.

The Gamecocks will officially open the 2023 season in Week 1 against North Carolina at a neutral-site in Charlotte, NC, a matchup that is one of college football’s best to open the year.