First look at South Carolina vs. No. 3 Texas A&M: Betting odds, TV details, more
South Carolina football is coming off of a bye week and a big change.
USC fired offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Shula on Nov. 1, and head coach Shane Beamer announced Wednesday that passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Mike Furrey would take over play-calling duties.
USC hopes the change will help it salvage what it can from a disappointing 2025 season in the final three games of the year, with the best-case scenario of winning out and making a bowl game. The first obstacle in that path is the biggest: a trip to College Station, Texas for a showdown with No. 3 Texas A&M.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to watch South Carolina vs. No. 3 Texas A&M
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Kyle Field (College Station, Texas)
TV/stream: ESPN
Series history: South Carolina is 2-9 against Texas A&M since the first matchup in 2014. The teams have played every year since. Last season, the Gamecocks upset the No. 10 Aggies 44-20 in Columbia.
Betting odds
USC is an 18.5-point underdog against the Aggies, according to the VegasInsider consensus line that factors in multiple sportsbooks. The over/under is 48.5 points.
About South Carolina
It’s no secret South Carolina hasn’t met expectations this season. Some predicted the Gamecocks to be a College Football Playoff contender. Most expected them to at least make a bowl game. With a 3-6 record (1-6 in the SEC), one is impossible, and the other is one loss away from meeting the same fate. Many fans and pundits passed blame on Shula’s play-calling. Shula’s shortcomings ultimately led to his firing, and the Gamecocks no longer have the luxury of that excuse if they continue stumbling to the end of the year.
About Texas A&M
After a failed Jimbo Fisher experiment that ended in the largest coach buyout in the NCAA, the Aggies have completely turned around as a program under second-year coach Mike Elko. The Aggies are 9-0, already matching their highest season win total since 2020, and are No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Texas A&M took down No. 19 Missouri 38-17 this past weekend. The Aggies will host South Carolina and Samford before taking on Texas to close out the regular season.
Players to watch: Gamecocks and Aggies
South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers, QB: Like the Gamecocks as a whole, Sellers’ 2025 campaign has left much to be desired. The redshirt sophomore had Heisman buzz in the preseason. Now, he’s 14th in passing yards and completion percentage among SEC quarterbacks and 15th in passing touchdowns. He’s taken the most sacks of any FBS quarterback this year (33). Is it possible Sellers’ problems were rooted in Shula’s play-calling? Saturday’s game will help shape the answer.
Bryan Thomas Jr., edge rusher: Thomas has been one of the few bright spots in USC’s season. Every team knew and prepared for Dylan Stewart to have a big sophomore season, and that opened up the lane for Thomas to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. He leads the Gamecocks with five sacks this season. Stewart had a sack last year against the Aggies and, like every opponent, they’ll be making a concerted effort to block him. Maybe it’ll open yet another gap for Thomas to attack.
Texas A&M
Marcel Reed, QB: In his second season as the Aggies’ starter, Reed’s name won’t be thrown around in Heisman talks — but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been solid for Texas A&M and a big contributor to its success. He’s thrown for 2,193 yards and 19 touchdowns this. But Reed’s not perfect. His six interceptions this season match his total from last year. There’s potential for USC’s defense to force Reed into mistakes.
Cashius Howell, DE: The Gamecocks’ offensive line has struggled all season. Howell might be their biggest challenge yet. He’s recorded 10.5 sacks this season with at least one in five consecutive games. No offensive line has been able to contain the fifth-year Bowling Green transfer this season.
South Carolina 2025 football schedule
- Aug. 31: South Carolina 24, Virginia Tech 11
- Sept. 6: USC 38, SC State 10
- Sept. 13: Vanderbilt 31, USC 7
- Sept. 20: Missouri 29, USC 20
- Sept. 27: USC 35, Kentucky 13
- Oct. 11: LSU 20, USC 10
- Oct. 18: Oklahoma 26, USC 7
- Oct. 25: Alabama 29, USC 22
- Nov. 1: Ole Miss 30, USC 14
- Nov. 15 at No. 3 Texas A&M - Noon (ESPN)
- Nov. 22 vs. Coastal Carolina - TBD
- Nov. 29 vs. Clemson - Noon (ABC or ESPN)
