What’s the most important stretch in USC’s 2025 schedule?
——This is part of a summer series. Leading up to the start of South Carolina’s 2025 season, The State is answering 25 of the most interesting questions surrounding the Gamecocks football team. This is No. 17——
One could make an argument — and, well, we kind of already have — that the most important stretch of South Carolina’s 2025 season is at the beginning.
Trip up in one of those first five games, fail to get to the LSU game undefeated, and fans are going to be livid. The College Football Playoff, while still certainly attainable, might feel like a fever dream.
But look at South Carolina’s schedule. Those first five games are, um, boring. Sorry to Virginia Tech (Aug. 31), South Carolina State (Sept. 6), Vanderbilt (Sept. 13), Missouri (Sept. 20) and Kentucky (Sept. 27).
Unless you want to talk yourself into the season-opening Beamer Bowl or the possibility of USC winning at Missouri for the first time since 2017, it might be a month of South Carolina fans holding their breath, just praying that the Gamecocks can take care of business as favorites.
OK, so that brings us to the actual most important stretch of South Carolina’s 2025 season:
Oct. 25 — vs. Alabama
Nov. 1 — at Ole Miss
Nov. 15 — at Texas A&M
Oh, and if there was any need to lengthen what is considered a “stretch,” one could easily add the pair of preceding contests: at LSU (Oct. 11) and vs. Oklahoma (Oct. 18).
In all reality, that is the make-or-break part of the Gamecocks’ schedule. That is where USC is either going to emerge as a favorite to make — maybe even host — the College Football Playoff or be hoping and praying for chaos to earn a spot.
But let’s narrow in on that three-game stretch against Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M — three teams expected to be in the Top 25.
First of all, there is the historical precedent — or lack thereof. South Carolina has not beaten the Crimson Tide since that magical afternoon 15 years ago. It has not beaten Ole Miss since 2018 (0-2). And the Gamecocks have never won at Texas A&M (0-5).
So there’s that. But those three games will be so crucial because — barring a few shocking losses — the Gamecocks should be in control of their playoff destiny when they welcome Alabama to Williams-Brice Stadium. Even if they tripped up against Missouri and LSU, or LSU and Oklahoma, the narrative that the Gamecocks can play themselves into the playoff will be legit.
Heck, they almost pulled it off last season after winning their final six regular-season games.
That stretch, too, will likely set the stage for the ensuing Palmetto Bowl. The 2024 matchup, between two teams right on the bubble of the playoff, felt like it had stakes, but imagine if the showdown in Williams-Brice was truly for a chance to host a playoff game or leave it up to the committee?
That’s the goal.
But whether or not that happens might largely rely on how the Gamecocks perform against Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
25 QUESTIONS FOR THE 2025 SEASON:
No. 25 — What South Carolina positions have the most question marks heading into season?
No. 24 — A Gamecocks victory over Va. Tech would be biggest season-opening win since when?
No. 23 — How will South Carolina’s QB room shake out in 2025 and beyond?
No. 22 — If USC beat Bama or LSU in ’24, would national conversation be different right now?
No. 21 — Can the Gamecocks’ offensive line take a step forward in 2025?
No. 20 — What former South Carolina football player will get his jersey retired next?
No. 19 — Can South Carolina get to the LSU game undefeated?
No. 18 — Will Fred Johnson be South Carolina’s next great LB?
No. 17 — What’s the most important stretch in USC’s 2025 schedule?
No. 16 — Can South Carolina’s defense stay elite despite all its roster turnover?
No. 15 — What South Carolina school records could be broken in 2025?
No. 14 — What’s the ceiling for USC’s running backs, with or without Rahsul Faison?
No. 13 — Can South Carolina’s special teams get back to Beamer Ball standard?
No. 12 — Have Gamecocks found right balance of high school football talent, transfers?
No. 11 — How will Shane Beamer go viral this year with South Carolina?
No. 10 — Is South Carolina too young at wide receiver?
No. 9 — Is this South Carolina’s easiest schedule in the Shane Beamer era?
This story was originally published July 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
