The SEC revealed its 2020 schedules for all 14 members. See how the South Carolina football program fared.
South Carolina learned this afternoon that it will lead off the 2020 college football season with a home matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers. Now, they know the games to follow.
Tonight, the Southeastern Conference released the full season schedules for each of its 14 member institutions. The Gamecocks already knew the 10 opponents on the block, but now they know how the order of the matchups will play out.
The 2020 Gamecock slate is listed below.
Week 1 – TENNESSEE
Week 2 – @ FLORIDA
Week 3 – @ VANDERBILT
Week 4 – AUBURN
Week 5 – @ LSU
Week 6 – OPEN
Week 7 – TEXAS A&M
Week 8 – @ OLE MISS
Week 9 – MISSOURI
Week 10 – GEORGIA (rivalry week)
Week 11 – @ KENTUCKY
What can we make of it?
The Good
If the Gamecocks can survive the first half of the season, they should have a chance to close out strong. After facing four opponents ranked in the preseason top 25 over their first six games, South Carolina closes out the year with Ole Miss, Missouri, Georgia, and Kentucky. A 3-1 outcome is certainly achievable.
The Bad
South Carolina misses the chance to face off against teams breaking in new quarterbacks early in the year. Matchups against LSU, Georgia, Missouri, and Kentucky all slot later in the season, with the three latter falling on the final three weeks.
LSU will bring in Myles Brennan in his first season as starter. Georgia and Missouri will turn to transfers to run the offense. Kentucky brings back Terry Wilson, Jr., who’s started for two seasons, but he’ll be returning from a season-ending knee injury that caused him to miss nearly all of 2019. Any chance of sneaking up on those four offenses before the units get in sync now seems unlikely.
The Ugly
It’s going to be tough for the Gamecocks to get off to a fast start. Will Muschamp and Co. will face three top 15 opponents before Halloween. A brutal start to the season, South Carolina must match up against Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and LSU over a five-week stretch to open the year. Two of those games will be on the road. Yikes!