The margin for error for South Carolina football in the 2026 season is very slim, with Coach Shane Beamer facing a tough road after a career-worst 4-8 record in 2025. The Gamecocks will face six teams ranked in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, including Alabama and Georgia.
South Carolina's schedule does not give them any extra help, with a nine-game SEC schedule that includes tough road games against Alabama and Florida. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers returns for his third season, hoping to find himself in a better position for the NFL draft. The Gamecocks' defense will be tested early, facing Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields in the season opener.
The Gamecocks' first game is against Kent State on September 5, with a predicted score of 27-14 in favor of South Carolina. This will be a good test for the secondary, which lost some key leaders after last season. South Carolina has won the last three Week 2 games by at least 25 points, so they should be favored against Towson on September 12.
The first real test for the Gamecocks will come on September 19 against Mississippi State, a team that Coach Beamer is 1-0 against. However, the Bulldogs have not faced Beamer since 2023, so it will be a close game. South Carolina will then face Alabama on September 26, a massive road game and a redemption game for Sellers.
The Gamecocks' schedule gets even tougher in October, with games against Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. South Carolina will need to bounce back from a potential loss to Florida on October 10, which could be a celebration hangover from beating Alabama the week before. They will then face Tennessee on October 24, a somewhat must-win game as it's after an open date and sandwiched between two road games.
After a tough stretch in October, the Gamecocks will face Texas A&M on November 7, a game that everyone remembers for a historic comeback last November. South Carolina will then face Arkansas on November 14, a road game that is a must-win for the Gamecocks. Finally, they will face Georgia on November 21, a powerhouse that will be a tough test for the Gamecocks.
The predicted South Carolina football record in 2026 is 7-6, a record that will be tough to achieve given the tough schedule. However, with a strong offense and a solid defense, the Gamecocks could be a dark horse in the SEC. The next few weeks will be crucial for South Carolina, as they face tough road games against Alabama, Florida, and Oklahoma.
Source: Yahoo Sports