South Carolina’s 2026 football schedule is set, complete with 9 SEC games
South Carolina’s 2026 season came into much greater focus on Thursday.
Just hours after the Gamecocks announced the hirings of three new offensive assistants — offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, O-line coach Randy Clements and running backs coach Stan Drayton — South Carolina’s 2026 schedule was announced.
This comes just a few months after the SEC announced each school’s opponents from 2026-2029. Notably, it was the first look at what a nine-game SEC slate looks like.
For the Gamecocks, though, the 2026 schedule signaled the return of historic conference foes Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
Upon joining the SEC in 1992, South Carolina played all three annually but hasn’t faced off against any of the three since the conference expanded in 2024 and got away from some traditional rivalries.
And while USC will play those three schools in 2026, it won’t do so at the normal time of prior seasons.
The Carolina-Tennessee game (Oct. 24) will be about a week earlier than normal. The Florida matchup will be in early October (Oct. 10) rather than mid-November. And, after years of opening SEC play against Georgia, the Gamecocks will host the Bulldogs to end SEC play.
On Nov. 21 — just a week before it plays at Clemson — South Carolina will welcome Georgia to Williams-Brice Stadium.
One other thing to note about the new SEC schedule: The conference gave each team three permanent opponents they are guaranteed to play annually for the next four seasons.
South Carolina’s three are Florida, Georgia and Kentucky. It will travel to Gainesville to play the Gators and host the Bulldogs and Wildcats (Oct. 3).
Here’s a look at the full slate. Kickoff times and TV channels will be announced at a later date.
South Carolina’s 2026 football schedule
Sept. 5 — vs. Kent State
Sept. 12 — vs. Towson
Sept. 19 — vs. Mississippi State
Sept. 26 — at Alabama
Oct. 3 — vs. Kentucky
Oct. 10 — at Florida
Oct. 17 — BYE
Oct. 24 — vs. Tennessee
Oct. 31 — at Oklahoma
Nov. 7 — vs. Texas A&M
Nov. 14 — at Arkansas
Nov. 21 — vs. Georgia
Nov. 28 — at Clemson
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM.
