South Carolina football: Gamecocks’ chances of making each bowl game

Gasparilla, Birmingham, and Liberty Bowls – 50% CHANCE OR MORE

Gasparilla Bowl

Dec. 23, 2021

Tampa, FL at Raymond James Stadium

Another bowl game played at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Gasparilla Bowl holds conference affiliations with the ACC, American, Big XII, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, PAC 12, and SEC, as well as with Army and BYU. While the Power Five leagues do have tie-ins, this bowl is typically a battle between Group of Five foes. Only once has an SEC team been featured, Mississippi State in 2016, and only four Power Five schools have ever made appearances.

While that would seemingly rule out the Gamecocks, it might actually have a reverse affect. If the team is able to sneak into the bowl season with a 6-6 record, it could be a perfect landing spot. Should South Carolina finish, say, eighth or ninth in the conference, they could be a school the bowl selection committee jumps on, particularly with the game being played in Florida. South Carolina has never played in this bowl game, but it’s very familiar with the venue, which also hosts the Outback Bowl.

Birmingham Bowl

Dec. 28, 2021

Birmingham, AL at Legion Field

Another matchup that could see the Gamecocks taking on a Group of Five school, the Birmingham Bowl is played annually in Alabama. This year’s meeting will pit the SEC against the American Athletic Conference in late December.

South Carolina has played in the game on two occasions, with both being losses. The first appearance was in 2009, a 20-7 loss to Connecticut. The second came five seasons ago, with the Gamecocks dropping a 46-39 shootout to South Florida in 2016.

This would be another possible landing spot for a Gamecock program that’s rebuilding. Should they squeak out six wins, a call from Birmingham could be in store.

Liberty Bowl

Dec. 28, 2021

Memphis, TN at Memorial Stadium

The Liberty Bowl will feature an SEC team and a program from the Big XII. South Carolina has played in the game twice, with the first appearance coming in 1988. That resulted in a 34-10 loss against Indiana. Nearly two decades later, the Gamecocks defeated Houston 44-36, its most recent Liberty Bowl showing.

The bowl is the seventh oldest in the country, and could be a nice landing spot for the Gamecocks should they get to six wins.