USC 2021 schedule reaction: Easiest and toughest games, Bobo’s return and more
South Carolina released its 2021 football schedule on Wednesday. Playing in the SEC means the schedule is never easy, but here are our key initial takeaways for the Gamecocks’ slate in their first season under new coach Shane Beamer.
The first half of the schedule is manageable ...
Three of the first five games in 2021 are non-conference opponents, including the first matchup against Eastern Illinois, the alma mater of former NFL quarterback Tony Romo. The Gamecocks, with some breaks, could be 4-2 or 5-1 to start the season — with SEC foes Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky rounding out the first six games.
... but the second half is brutal
South Carolina’s finish to the 2021 season will be a tough one.
The Gamecocks close out the season with matchups against Texas A&M, Florida, Missouri, Auburn and Clemson. USC has an open week in between Texas A&M and Florida. It’s a tougher finish than the “orange crush” the Gamecocks used to face when Tennessee, Florida and Clemson were regularly the last opponents on the schedule.
Clemson (No. 1), Texas A&M (No. 6) and Florida (No. 16) all are ranked in the Top 25 of ESPN’s way-too-early 2021 college football rankings. The final three games are all against teams with Tigers as their mascot.
Easiest game, toughest game and a few critical games
It won’t get any easier than the opener against Eastern Illinois. The Panthers have had success on the FCS level but have struggled recently, including a 1-11 record in 2019. EIU will be playing a seven-game spring schedule this year.
The toughest game is a toss-up between Clemson and Georgia, which likely will both start the year ranked in the top five. The Gamecocks get the Bulldogs in September and close the season with the Tigers. After those perennial rivals, Texas A&M looms large as the team’s permanent SEC West opponent. The Aggies are 7-0 all time against South Carolina.
Two of the most critical games for the Gamecocks come in the first half of the season and could set the momentum for the rest of year. South Carolina faces Kentucky on Sept. 25 and Tennessee on Oct. 9 — wins over those programs could be the difference in a winning season this year.
Mike Bobo returns to Williams-Brice
Former USC offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will make his return to Williams-Brice when the Gamecocks host Auburn on Nov. 20. Bobo was the team’s offensive coordinator last season and then interim coach when Will Muschamp got fired in November.
Bobo was retained by new coach Shane Beamer but left for Auburn earlier this month with offensive line coach Will Friend and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. But Rocker has since left to join the Philadelphia Eagles staff.
Georgia game returns to early spot in schedule
Beamer coached at Georgia from 2016-17. The Bulldogs are back in a familiar place on USC’s schedule. The Gamecocks will open up SEC play against UGA on Sept. 18 in Athens. The game will provide USC’s toughest challenge after opening with Eastern Illinois and East Carolina.
It will be the first time since 2018 that the two teams will play in September. They met every year in September from 1981 to 2005. South Carolina played Georgia on Nov. 28 in 2020, losing 45-16 at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks have lost five of their last six to the Bulldogs — winning in upset fashion in 2019 at Sanford Stadium.
Clemson game back on schedule, and in Columbia again
South Carolina’s annual matchup with Clemson is back on the schedule after taking a year off in 2020. The Gamecocks and Tigers didn’t play last season with ACC and SEC adjusting their schedules during the COVID pandemic. The 2021 game will be at Williams-Brice Stadium again, just like in 2019, as the schools opted to keep the original home-away rotation intact.
Way-too-early prediction for Gamecocks’ record
South Carolina fans are desperate for the Gamecocks to get back to winning ways, but it might not happen in Beamer’s first year. Anywhere between four and six wins is a realistic expectation for this group — with 7-5 the most optimistic ceiling.
South Carolina 2021 football schedule
Kickoff times and TV networks to be determined later
Sept. 4: home vs. Eastern Illinois
Sept. 11: at East Carolina
Sept. 18: at Georgia
Sept. 25: home vs. Kentucky
Oct. 2: home vs. Troy
Oct. 9: at Tennessee
Oct. 16: home vs. Vanderbilt
Oct. 23: at Texas A&M
Oct. 30: OPEN
Nov. 6: home vs. Florida
Nov. 13: at Missouri
Nov. 20: home vs. Auburn
Nov. 27: home vs. Clemson
This story was originally published January 27, 2021 at 4:18 PM.
