South Carolina football: future matchups the Gamecocks need to schedule
By Jacob Elsey
GEORGIA TECH
The Gamecocks and Yellow Jackets have met a number of times on the field, dating back to 1903. The two programs were a part of the Southern Conference, before Georgia Tech joined the SEC and South Carolina became part of the ACC. Now, the two have swapped affiliations, and it needs to be a rivalry that’s put back on the slate.
Believe it or not, the two schools haven’t played one another since 1991, despite it being just a 2.5 hour drive from Columbia to Atlanta. In 20 all-time matchups, the Yellow Jackets hold a slight 11-9 lead.
The Georgia Tech program seems to be on the up under new head coach Geoff Collins, moving away from the triple option and joining the 21st century of offensive play calling. It would certainly be an intriguing matchup for both fanbases.
The city of Atlanta is intriguing, too, and as we mentioned earlier, is just a short trip from South Carolina. Fans could check out Truist Park, the Mercedes-Benz Dome, the aquarium, the Coca-Cola factory, and much more. The city has a lot to offer, and would make for a quick and easy weekend trip. It needs to happen very soon.
FLORIDA STATE
Florida State and South Carolina met a ton in the 60s, 70s, and 80s while the teams were playing as Independents, but since the teams joined their respective conferences, the series has fizzled out. The only meeting between the two programs since 1991 was a Chick-fil-a Bowl contest in 2010.
The rivalry has seen players like Deion Sanders, George Rogers, Sterling Sharpe, and LeRoy Butler face off against one another, and the days of Bobby Bowden roaming the FSU sidelines. The Seminoles are still one of the most recognized programs in college football, most recently winning a national title in 2013.
Tallahassee is a bit of a drive, but it’s just an hour or so from the Gulf of Mexico. An early September meeting, maybe on a long Labor Day weekend, could offer a great mini vacation for those that make the trip.