David Pollack pushes back on South Carolina winning nine games in 2025

After South Carolina’s impressive 9-4 record in 2024, the Gamecocks are eager to build on their success. However, David Pollack isn’t convinced that they’ll reach that win total again this season.

“If you’re thinking nine wins, I’m not on board with that,” Pollack said on See Ball Get Ball. “I’m expecting fewer wins for South Carolina, just because of all the experience they lost. Your top three wide receivers, your tight end, key defensive players, and your offensive coordinator — that’s a lot to replace.”

While Pollack is right that South Carolina faces challenges with a number of departures, his claim about losing the top three receivers isn’t accurate. Wide receiver Nyck Harbor, who finished second in receiving yards last season after a strong finish, is returning and is expected to be a standout in the SEC.

However, the Gamecocks do have significant holes to fill. Losing star running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is a blow, but the bigger issue could be the departure of offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. After the 2024 season, Loggains left to become the head coach at Appalachian State, and the Gamecocks promoted Mike Shula, their senior offensive assistant, to replace him. Shula, already familiar with the system, will face high expectations in his first season as OC.

Pollack did acknowledge that South Carolina’s early schedule offers some breathing room, with games against Virginia Tech, South Carolina State, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Kentucky in the first half of the season.

“I really like their early schedule,” Pollack said. “It gives them time to work things out before the tough stretch against LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, A&M, and Clemson.”

According to ESPN, South Carolina faces the 13th-toughest strength of schedule in the nation this season. But to be fair, the Gamecocks also faced a challenging slate in 2024, securing wins over top 25 teams like Texas A&M, Missouri, and Clemson, and nearly upsetting LSU and Alabama.

South Carolina will have an early opportunity to prove Pollack wrong when they open the season against Virginia Tech on August 31 at 3 p.m. ET, airing live on ESPN.