The South Carolina football slate of 21 is set.
The last edition of the college football season was one that was very different from what we’re used to, with Gamecocks taking on an unprecedented schedule of 10 games, every conference, while also not participating in a rivalry game against the local enemy Clemson for the first time in 111 years.
The team ended up limping and finishing 2-8, losing each of the last six games, which led to the dismissal of then coach Will Muschamp. Shane Beamer was hired to lead the Gamecocks in 2021, bringing a new vision and a culture change to a program that has been lost for a few years.
This new life has left fans excited about what is to come in South Carolina football. Now, these fans have their first vision of the future, as the SEC released the schedules for each conference member before the 21 season.
Check out how the Gamecocks framework has changed.
- 09.04 – v. Eastern Illinois
- 11/09 – @ East Carolina
- 9/18 – @ Georgia
- 09.25 – v. Kentucky
- 10.02 – v. Troy
- 10.09 – @ Tennessee
- 10.16 – v. Vanderbilt
- 10.23 – @ Texas A&M
- 10:30 am – Bye
- 11.06 – v. Florida
- 11.13 – @ Missouri
- 11.20 – v. Auburn
- 11.27 – v. Clemson
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey presented the new schedules to the public on Wednesday.
“We are proud to have completed the 2020 football season in unique circumstances and now we are going to focus on playing the 2021 football season as scheduled. Circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus will continue to guide our decision-making should any adjustment be necessary. “
Hopefully, the pandemic will allow the SEC to stay on track in this 12-game campaign. Let’s take a look at some interesting things to note about the recently launched Gamecocks slate.
Georgia is back to be the SEC opener
The Bulldogs will host South Carolina on the third weekend in September, while the Gamecocks are trying to avenge their 45-16 defeat in 2020. It will be the first time that South Carolina and Georgia have faced each other to open a conference in three seasons. The two opponents competed in early September each season between 1992 and 2011, but the game has moved to October or November in four of the past five seasons. Last year was the last scheduled date in the series’ history (November 28).
Steve Spurrier said he liked to play against the Bulldogs earlier in the year because they would certainly have some guys suspended in the off season. It is good to see the tradition renewed for 2021. The Gamecocks disturbed Georgia on their last trip to Sanford Stadium.
Auburn game circled
Auburn and South Carolina have built an off-season rivalry with the Tigers by stealing several Gamecocks coaches. Mike Bobo, Will Friend and Tracy Rocker fled to Plains shortly after signing contracts to stay in Columbia, which didn’t go well for Shane Beamer.
The Tigers will arrive at Williams-Brice Stadium for a second consecutive season after the Gamecocks defeated Auburn 30-22 in 2020. The game is scheduled for 20 November.
Clemson back on schedule
Clemson is back on the waiting list after the series was put on hold for the 2020 season, the series’ first break in more than a century. With the COVID pandemic, the SEC chose to switch to a conference schedule, which meant leaving out the local rival.
The rivalry will now be back, slipping into the usual Thanksgiving week date. Gamecocks will try to end a five game skid for the Tigers in Columbia next year.
Bye placement week
The Gamecocks’ farewell week will be on the Halloween weekend, between clashes with Texas A&M and Florida, both teams that plan to start the season in the top 15. The placement comes a little after the middle, but will be welcome after eight consecutive weeks of action.
This will also give Gamecocks a break before entering a brutal November slate that includes consecutive clashes with Florida, Missouri, Auburn and Clemson.
Feline finish
In a very interesting observation, Gamecocks will end the season with three consecutive games against teams with Tigers as their mascot. South Carolina went 1-2 against Tigers last year, defeating Auburn and losing to LSU and Missouri.