If you’ve ever been to Williams-Brice Stadium in late August or early September, then you know it is the hottest place on earth. The second hottest place currently may be Shane Beamer’s seat. It’s a must win season for the Gamecocks in 2026.
Let’s take a look at the schedule ahead.
Strength of Schedule: 14th in the SEC
There are only two games on this schedule this year that feel like definite losses, Georgia and Oklahoma.
They will play seven of their ten power four opponents against a freshman quarterback or first year starter at the position. The schedule isn’t easy by most people’s standards. In fact, ESPN FPI has it ranked as the tenth toughest schedule in the country. Here’s the thing, the schedule is difficult every year for South Carolina. This year’s is the easiest it’s been for the team in the last five to ten years.
It’s the fifth toughest schedule as we illustrated in our previous look at the toughest schedules in the SEC.
Not a must-win, but a can’t lose: Mississippi State
South Carolina has lofty expectations this season, and the roster is constructed in a way that I think they can win at a high rate this year. There are several key games on the schedule this year like Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Clemson and Texas A&M. None of those games will matter as much if you don’t get off to a good start.
That starts with the Mississippi State game in Week 3. The Bulldogs have their own dynamic quarterback that is capable of causing fits for opposing defenses, and this game will be on the heels of a tough game for them at Minnesota who has the seventh highest returning production of any team in the country. South Carolina has the fifth.
This will be a huge test for both teams, and a chance for South Carolina to prove they aren’t overlooking teams they’re supposed to beat a week before their big showdown at Alabama.
Biggest Game of the Year: Tennessee
South Carolina should be carrying one loss into this game if things go the way they’re supposed to. Tennessee at home will be a big test for the Gamecocks, as it usually is. This year’s game will be one of seven that South Carolina will face a first year starter at quarterback, but by Oct. 24, whoever is starting under center will be pretty well seasoned.
This is the start of a three game stretch that includes Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. This should be the easiest of those three games, and it will be pivotal for their chances to do anything in the postseason.
Upset Alert: Texas A&M
It’s funny to me that most people have this as an automatic win for Texas A&M. Historically, they’ve owned this series, and I fully understand the uphill battle the Gamecocks will face mentally after last year’s catastrophic blown 30-3 lead in College Station. But, the matchup itself favors South Carolina in a lot of ways.
The strength of the Aggies a season ago was the offensive line, and now they have to figure out how to replace four of five starters. That’s not a great feeling when you’re going up against the league’s best pass rusher and maybe a top three defensive line in the SEC.
Texas A&M has owned the series, but they needed a miracle to win a season ago, and the last time they came to Williams-Brice Stadium they were a top ten team and lost 44-20.
Trap Game: Kentucky
The Alabama game is sandwiched between two dicey spots for South Carolina. The Bama game will be a big one considering South Carolina should have won against them in each of the last two seasons. On the heels of that game is the perfect trap game.
A return home to face a Kentucky team that is more mysterious than any other in the league. New coach, new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback who barely missed out on winning the starting job at Notre Dame.
They also have a loaded portal haul and will be coming into this game facing a potentially tired South Carolina team that could be celebrating a proverbial monkey getting off their back the week before. Watch out.
Ceiling and Floor: 10-2 and 6-6
I’m high on South Carolina this year, and that scares me. It’s burned me before, but I’m willing to get burned here again.
The schedule sets up well with many key games coming at home. They also face an abundance of teams with a lot of new faces and uncertainties. LaNorris Sellers and this offense should be much improved under Kendal Briles and the additions they made to the offensive line in the portal are huge. They should also have one of the best defenses in the league and, once again, lead the SEC in turnovers which they’ve done for the last five years with 110 combined.
This team is built very similar to the one from 2024, but there’s more quality depth and top end talent. South Carolina will be very good this season.
Schedule Prediction: 9-3
Kent State – W
Towson – W
Mississippi State – W
At Alabama – W
Kentucky – W
At Florida – W
Tennessee – W
At Oklahoma – L
Texas A&M – L
At Arkansas – W
Georgia – L
At Clemson – W
