The South Carolina Gamecocks broke through in 2024 behind an elite defensive front and emerging superstar at quarterback. Now, the expectations are high in Columbia. Can the Gamecocks continue the positive momentum?
Here, we’re ranking every game on the South Carolina football schedule based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, expected excitement around the opponent, anticipated effect on each team’s season, rivalry impact, and more. What games should Gamecocks fans look forward to this fall?
Texas A&M 2025 Football Schedule
- vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (Atlanta)
Sunday, Aug. 31, time TBA - vs. SC State Bulldogs
Saturday, Sept. 6, time TBA - vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Saturday, September 13, time TBA - at Missouri Tigers
Saturday, Sept. 20, time TBA - vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Saturday, Sept. 27, time TBA - at LSU Tigers
Saturday, Oct. 11, time TBA - vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Saturday, Oct. 18, time TBA - vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday, Oct. 25, time TBA - at Ole Miss Rebels
Saturday, Nov. 1, time TBA - at Texas A&M Aggies
Saturday, Nov. 15, time TBA - vs. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Saturday, November 22, time TBA - at Clemson Tigers
Saturday, Nov. 29, time TBA
Ranking South Carolina’s Full 2025 Schedule
12) vs. SC State Bulldogs (Saturday, Sept. 6)
Fans make fun of SEC teams for playing FCS teams on their schedule, but I don’t think South Carolina fans are going to complain. The Gamecocks play two ACC teams in the out-of-conference schedule, including hated rival Clemson. Plus, the Gamecocks have to run the gauntlet of a brutal SEC schedule.
I think they’ll be forgiven for playing a local FCS school. This isn’t your old Buddy Pough SC State team, but Chennis Berry led the Bulldogs to a MEAC Championship in his first season at the helm.
11) vs. Coastal Carolina (Saturday, Nov. 22)
When this game was announced, it terrified South Carolina fans. Of course, that was when Jamey Chadwell was leading the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. This game has much less intrigue now and should be a tune-up ahead of what could be another monumental Palmetto Bowl during Rivalry Week.
10) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (Saturday, Sept. 13)
While Diego Pavia certainly adds intrigue to South Carolina’s matchup with the Vanderbilt Commodores, this game still ranks toward the bottom of the list. That’s a testament to the depth and strength of the Gamecocks’ schedule, but also a nod to one of the nation’s most quietly dominant winning streaks.
South Carolina has beaten Vanderbilt 16 times in a row. While there were a few barnburners thrown in, the Gamecocks have mostly handled business against their conference foes from Nashville.
9) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (Saturday, Sept. 27)
While South Carolina and the Kentucky Wildcats have rekindled an old SEC East rivalry under Beamer and Mark Stoops, Kentucky’s recent struggles have caused the game to lose some of its shine. These teams typically meet early in the season and that’s the case in 2025.
South Carolina bludgeoned the Wildcats last year with a defensive gem. The Wildcats had a mass exodus in the offseason, so there are real worries that the Wildcats could be in for a long 2025.
8) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (Saturday, Oct. 18)
The Oklahoma Sooners are revamping their offense after a disappointing 2024 season. The South Carolina game was a microcosm of the season’s struggles for the Sooners. South Carolina’s defensive front manhandled the Sooner offense enroute to nine sacks (by nine different players) and four turnovers.
Shane Beamer implied that his offense didn’t even try to score in the second half that was never competitive. The Sooners want revenge, and John Mateer at quarterback adds some fun to the game, but South Carolina feels like it should win this one.
7) at Missouri Tigers (Saturday, Sept. 20)
Beamer got the monkey off his back last year in a thrilling win over Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri Tigers at home. Now, the Gamecocks head to Columbia, Missouri for the next edition of the Mayor’s Cup, a young rivalry that has already had numerous all-time classic games.
This is a fun rivalry between two non-traditional powers with high expectations in 2025. The fact that it lands in the bottom half of this list is proof of the intrigue on South Carolina’s schedule.
6) Texas A&M Aggies (Saturday, Nov. 15)
Prior to Shane Beamer’s arrival, South Carolina had never beaten the Texas A&M Aggies. Now, the Gamecocks have won two of three against the Aggies including a 44-20 trouncing as part of a six-game winning streak to end the 2024 season.
Mike Elko’s team should be even better in 2025 and the Gamecocks have never won at Kyle Field. This game could be the difference between a chance at the College Football Playoff and another disappointing Selection Day.
5) vs. Virginia Tech (Sunday, Aug. 31)
The Virginia Tech Hokies have had a not-very-good time this offseason. Between a mass player exodus, an offensive coordinator taking a demotion to leave Blacksburg, and a Brent Pry tenure that seems to be headed for disaster, this is a chance for the Gamecocks to come out and trounce a traditionally strong team in a standalone network game in Week 1.
But what if they don’t? Shane Beamer’s teams are known for finishing down the stretch. But with that identity comes the realization that they’re not very good in season-openers.
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The Gamecocks are just 1-3 in their first Power Four game of the season under Beamer. it’s not like they’ve looked much better in openers against non-power conference opponents either, as it took Dylan Stewart announcing his presence with a two-sack, two forced fumbled day against the Old Dominion Monarchs last season for the Gamecocks to escape with a win.
This game will set the tone for the year. South Carolina has a strong chance to get out to a 4-0 or 5-0 start. The Gamecocks could be favored in their first five games. Tell that to a South Carolina fan and they’ll immediately tell you that’s a recipe for disaster.
Is this team different? LaNorris Sellers and company want to make a statement in front of a national tv audience on Aug. 31.
4) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (Saturday, Oct. 25)
South Carolina nearly beat the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa in what would have been Kalen DeBoer’s first-ever loss in front of a home crowd last season. That came in spite of Sellers’ worst game of his career. A late miscommunication for Sellers’ third turnover of the game prevented South Carolina from pulling off the upset and kept the Gamecocks out of teh College Football Playoff.
The Gamecocks host the Crimson Tide in late October. DeBoer’s team should be improved in Year 2. Can the Gamecocks get it done at home?
3) at Ole Miss Rebels (Saturday, Nov. 15)
It’s not that Shane Beamer and Lane Kiffin don’t like each other, it’s that there’s only so much room in the SEC for such coaching personalities and each feels like the other is encroaching on his space.
The two teams have gone head-to-head in the transfer portal often, with the Rebels actually flipping one of South Carolina’s top portal gets this offseason.
Something changed in Beamer after he coached like the underdog against the Rebels in a blowout loss last season with Sellers and Rocket Sanders both severely limited with ankle injuries. He’s chomping at the bit to get another shot at Kiffin, and he’ll get one in mid-November on the Grove.
2) at LSU Tigers (Saturday, Oct. 11)
Let me try to put this delicately. Last year’s LSU-South Carolina referees cost South Carolina a College Football Playoff berth in the worst display of officiating I’ve ever witnessed.
South Carolina threw an interception on a clear roughing the passer, were called for two phantom offensive pass interference calls, and had two pick-sixes called back for penalties on Bednarik winner Kyle Kennard, the latter of which should have sealed the game and was talked about as late as the final College Football Playoff Rankings reveal.
Not only are South Carolina fans still mad, the team remembers as well. South Carolina goes to Baton Rouge in Week 7 off of a bye and potentially 5-0. This could get the national broadcast in a primetime slot.
And yet…
1) vs. Clemson (Saturday, Nov. 29)
Nothing beats the Palmetto Bowl. It will forever and always hold the No. 1 spot, not matter how good or bad the teams might be. A wild rivalry that’s featured a campus siege, an all-out brawl, and countless controversies will have that effect.
Will Muschamp never beat the Clemson Tigers, never really came close. Shane Beamer has beaten the Tigers twice, both on the road. Can he earn his first home win over Clemson in 2025? Based on the Heisman-caliber quarterbacks and defensive talent, this could be a College Football Playoff play-in game. No pressure, Gamecocks.
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