South Carolina offense has 'opportunity' to be good

Google describes "opportunity" as "a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something."

With spring practice in the books, South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp believes that the Gamecocks offense has the "opportunity" to be good in 2017.

If the Gamecocks are going to take the next step in Year 2 of Muschamp -- with questions and concerns on the defensive side -- they'll need that offensive opportunity to be converted into points.

And in order to do that, they'll certainly have to cut down on the tackles-for-loss allowed.

"I think right now that we're in a situation, because of our experience -- and a lot of the credit can go to Jake (Bentley) -- but really to our entire offense to be able to get out of a bad protection, get out of a bad run," Muschamp said after the spring game. "A lot of times last year, we were 'Call it and haul it.' We didn't have the ability to be able to do that.

"So, now we're able to get to the line of scrimmage and go fast, [but] if Jake doesn't like the look, we're able to get out of it."

The Gamecocks, breaking in a freshman quarterback and an entirely new offensive scheme under Kurt Roper last season, were unable to do that, which led to far too many negative plays -- 102 to be exact.

That's good for 123rd, out of 128 teams in the country, and averages out to 7.85 tackles-for-loss allowed per game.

With an abundance of skill talent, almost all now in their second year in the scheme, there should be plenty of opportunity for improvement in that category.

"A lot of the credit goes to (Bentley), but also our entire offense for understanding," Muschamp said. "And I think we're just further along. I think we've done a nice job on the line of scrimmage of getting a hat on a hat in the run game. there was no free runners (in the spring game).

"I would credit a another year in the system with a young team last year that now I think has understood how important the meeting room and taking it from the meeting to the field. And we've got some mature guys that understand what it takes to be successful."

That should give South Carolina the set of circumstances that make it possible be better on offense.

"I feel a lot better about our situation offensively. There's no question. There's no doubt about that," Muschamp said. "I think we have an opportunity to be a good offensive football team. But I said opportunity."