South Carolina’s kickoff time vs. Florida is on hold
Learning a new kickoff time for South Carolina football has become a Monday tradition for Gamecocks fans, but this week, they’ll have to wait to learn when and on what channel they can see USC face off against Florida.
CBS has used one of its six-day hold exemptions this week, meaning the network will have until Sunday, after this week’s games have taken place, to decide which game on Oct. 19 it will broadcast in its coveted 3:30 p.m. slot.
The options for South Carolina-Florida are the 3:30 time on CBS, a noon kickoff on ESPN or a 6 p.m. start on ESPN. The other games being considered and placed on hold are LSU-Mississippi State and Kentucky-Georgia.
While kickoff times and TV schedules are typically announced two weeks in advance of games, the SEC and networks will sometimes wait to determine which game will go in a specific time slot on a certain channel, wanting to retain flexibility to put the most anticipated or competitive games at the most high-profile times.
This week, South Carolina plays Georgia on the road at noon, broadcasted on ESPN. The Gamecocks are 2-3, 1-2 in the SEC, and will likely need an upset over the season’s final seven weeks to reach bowl eligibility.
No. 7 Florida, meanwhile, has a new quarterback in junior Kyle Trask, who took the place of the injured Feleipe Franks in the third game of the season. Trask has since led the Gators to two more wins, including a 24-13 win over Auburn this past weekend. Trask is dealing with a “mild” MCL sprain, and Florida will travel to No. 5 LSU this week for a key SEC matchup.
SEC KICKOFF TIMES (OCT. 19)
Kentucky at Georgia — 3:30 p.m. on CBS/6 p.m. on ESPN
Florida at South Carolina — Noon on ESPN/3:30 p.m. on CBS/6 p.m. on ESPN
LSU at Mississippi State — Noon on ESPN/3:30 p.m. on CBS/6 p.m. on ESPN
Auburn at Arkansas — Noon on SEC Network
Missouri at Vanderbilt — 4 p.m. on SEC Network
Texas A&M at Ole Miss — 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network
Tennessee at Alabama — 9 p.m. on ESPN
SOUTH CAROLINA 2019 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 — North Carolina 24, South Carolina 20
Sept. 7 — South Carolina 72, Charleston Southern 10
Sept. 14 — Alabama 47, South Carolina 23
Sept. 21 — Missouri 34, South Carolina 14
Sept. 28 — South Carolina 24, Kentucky 7
Oct. 5 — Bye
Oct. 12 — South Carolina at Georgia, noon, ESPN
Oct. 19 — Florida at South Carolina, TBD
Oct. 26 — South Carolina at Tennessee, TBD
Nov. 2 — Vanderbilt at South Carolina, TBD
Nov. 9 — Appalachian State at South Carolina, TBD
Nov. 16 — South Carolina at Texas A&M, TBD
Nov. 23 — Bye
Nov. 30 — Clemson at South Carolina, TBD
This story was originally published October 7, 2019 at 12:36 PM.
