As of right now, the Gamecocks have four top 25 opponents on their 2017 schedule: three in their own division and then defending national champs Clemson at the end of the season. That is more than enough of a challenge for a second year head coach dealing with a (let’s be generous) bad offense and pinning his rebuild on the shoulders of a 19 year old quarterback that started a grand total of seven games.
So then why does starting the season against NC State make any sense?
Obviously now it is too late to change the schedule, but think about it.