South Carolina football: Ranking games from easiest to most difficult

South Carolina football schedule ranking: No. 1 & 2

No. 2 – Clemson Tigers, Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC

Clemson comes in as the second-most difficult game of the year for South Carolina, and they’ll look to again reach the College Football Playoff. The Tigers and Gamecocks didn’t play last year for the first time in more than a century, but the rivalry will be renewed in 2021.

Clemson loses first round selections Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, but they return one of the country’s most talented defensive units. Five-star passer DJ Uiagalelei will try to fill the void, but the offense figures to take a step back this season. Still, the schedule is very manageable, and should they get past Georgia in week one, the Tigers could be 11-0 heading into the season finale. The Gamecocks do get the luxury of playing the Tigers at home, but it will be a tall task to end its current six-game losing streak.

No. 1 – Georgia Bulldogs, Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA

Georgia tops the list, and my, how things have changed in just a year. Will Muschamp is out as head coach in Columbia, and he’s now joined staff with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. Think he has this early season matchup circled?

Georgia returns a potent offense led by signal caller JT Daniels. Also back is Zamir White at tailback and a host of pass catchers. This seems to be the year where everything is aligning for the Bulldogs. They avoid Alabama in the west, and have a relatively manageable schedule outside of the season opener versus Clemson. They also catch the Gamecocks early in the year, a time when Shane Beamer’s unit might still be working out some kinks.

Playing in Athens won’t help, as many Georgia players will remember the double-overtime upset the Gamecocks pulled last time the two teams played between the hedges. The Bulldogs will be on a mission this year, and they’re hoping to keep the Gamecocks from ruining another championship season opportunity.