Gamecock takeaways from a puzzling loss to Ole Miss: What was that?

COLUMBIA Alabama is next week, so forgive the comparison.

South Carolina football is Forrest Gumps box of chocolates , except there are only a few candies in the box.

Theres the Obvious Win, where the Gamecocks chow down on one of the two-to-three guarantee games they schedule every season.

Theres the Expected Loss, where the Gamecocks play a team much better than them and are behind at the end of the game.

Then theres Saturday, the pecan log roll that always looks unappetizing but USC cant keep its fingers off it.

Thats The Discouraging Loss That Questions The Programs Future.

The Gamecocks ripped off another piece of it in a 27-3 loss to Ole Miss before again uttering, Ick! and spitting it out.

Takeaways from another sloppy, undisciplined, frustrating defeat where USC is again left wondering if any of this is ever going to taste good: Gamecocks forget to show up after bye week in listless loss to Ole Miss Shane Beamer blamed himself.

It was his fault, calling that fake punt when everybody in the stadium knew it was coming, especially Ole Miss.

They played it really well, he mourned.

A little bit differently than we expected off the edge.

Realizing that its all about the look and Beamer has forgotten more about special teams than most ever attempt to learn, its hard to criticize if he said he saw something he thought he could exploit.

Yet it reeked of another decision, way back in Beamers first year.

Remember this? Jordan Burch attempting to throw a touchdown after lining up in a jumbo set (coincidentally, like the ones 325-pound Ole Miss tackle J.J.

Pegues scored twice out of on Saturday)? Beamer said then he made up his mind he was going to call that play as soon as USC got toward the end zone.

As if situations didnt matter, which at that time, was Tennessee up 14-0, USC had finally started moving the ball, it could get right back in the game with a TD.

That decision ended the game.

This one? Probably cant go that far, although Beamer admitted it killed the first quarter.

USC had just stopped Ole Miss on its first drive.

The crowd was fired up.

Giving that Rebels offense a short field really outweighs the potential reward.

Even in the realm of, If it works, youre a genius, if it doesnt, youre an idiot, that one was hard to swallow.

Its two sides of the coin.

On one, its impossible to run offense when: The offensive line cannot open holes for a running back to run between the tackles; tight ends and receivers cannot block well enough on the perimeter to spring runs on the edges; receivers cannot get open, therefore hanging the quarterback out to dry; the quarterback is still learning how to pass and play at the college level.

Lump all that together and its easy to see how Dowell Loggains can throw up his hands and say, You see what I have to work with here.

Gamecocks' defense peers into how Kentucky stopped Ole Miss On the other side ...

You recruited them.

You signed them.

You went through umpteen practices with them.

Coaching is finding a way to make work with what you have.

This disjointed mess heaped more wood on the bonfire of, After two years of inconsistent and misfiring offense, Beamer fixed it by hiring a guy whos never coordinated an offense in college, and when he called plays in the NFL, he was voted the leagues worst at doing it.

The reason nobody in the media called folks like Bill Parcells and Sean Payton and Connor Shaw and Alshon Jeffery to ask about Loggains prowess as a college offensive coordinator is because none of them would be able to comment on his prowess as a college offensive coordinator.

Because he had never coordinated a college offense.

Today's Top Headlines Story continues below SC teacher's lesson on Ta-Nehisi Coates was stopped, so the author visited and wrote about it Tropical Storm Milton grows in Gulf and races towards Florida.

Could impact SC next week.

Helene was the worst storm to slam the Carolinas in a generation.

Here's how it unfolded.

This Columbia-made movie features Richland Co.'s longtime sheriff and other familiar faces A 47-year-old eatery in Columbia is closing down its restaurant operations.

Here's why SNAP Replacement Benefits and Mass Feeding Update - October 2024 'Tent city' emerges as Aiken Electric Co-Op brings in hundreds of linemen following Helene Editorial: A second civil war in the forecast? Our better angels will not allow it.

Helene devastates Upstate's historic landmarks and natural wonders.

Here's what was damaged.

Hamilton: Gamecocks facing a tough stretch and some tough decisions Games like Saturday rehash all that.

Especially when asked what the game plan was and why didnt it work, and the answer was, We are who we are on offense.

Fake punt.

Electing to kick a field goal while down three touchdowns.

Choosing to accept a holding penalty that negated a second-and-17 to make it first-and-20 (Ole Miss scored a touchdown on the drive).

Beamer problems.

Dylan Stewart committing a foolish, obvious taunting penalty (then doing the same a few plays later).

Jumping offsides.

Pass interference.

Leading to a total, through five games, of 41 flags for 376 yards.

Coaching staff problems.

3-2 with Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt (that scored 40 on and beat Alabama!), Missouri, Wofford and Clemson, needing three wins to make a bowl game? Coaching longevity problems.

Its like Christmas and is especially glaring considering how much Beamer and staff preach that they only get 12 opportunities a season.

Why is it that one game per season, especially over the past three, is a complete waste of everyones time, effort and energy? 2022, Gamecocks have won five of six.

They prance into The Swamp, home of the 5-4 Florida Gators, and lose 38-6.

2023, USC handed Florida a win the week before.

The Gamecocks are motivated.

Missouri romps 34-12.

We were ready to play.

We had a fantastic week of practice, Beamer said.

2024, Ole Miss.

I have to do a better job because we had a great week of practice, Beamer said.

Solicitations for pregame speaker for the next opportunity are welcomed.

Is this where its mentioned that some folks predicted a winless October, most likely after a 3-1 start? Is this where its said that USCs lifetime record is 637-615-44 with a grand total of one conference championship? Is this where its pointed out as a silver lining that the best team on campus, and the best damn team in its entire sport, tips off its season on Nov.

4? Even that gridiron period from 2010-13, now destined to be as much, What happened there? as it was The Glory Days, had a lingering question of, Are they really supposed to be here? Who knows? As the past decade has proven, the only consistent thing about USC football is its inconsistency.

Next game is Saturday.

See you there..

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