South Carolina Football: Gamecocks return home for four straight; What does a path to bowl eligibility look like?

South Carolina football quarterback Spencer Rattler will be matching up. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina football quarterback Spencer Rattler will be matching up. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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South Carolina Football
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer approaching Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea for a handshake after the Gamecocks beat the Commodores in 2022. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Football’s pursuit of bowl eligibility:
Vanderbilt Commodores

Perennial SEC bottom-dweller Vanderbilt is next up on the schedule, and the Commodores are not any better than Jacksonville State. After starting 2-0 against Hawaii and Alabama A&M, Clark Lea’s squad has lost seven straight and should be 2-8 when they travel to Columbia to take on the Gamecocks.

South Carolina football beats Vandy at a better clip than almost any other SEC program and hasn’t lost to the ‘Dores since 2008. Without an SEC win this season and quarterback uncertainty, that streak does not appear in danger of ending, even with USC’s struggles this season.

Vanderbilt has not been good at anything really in 2023, but the Commodores do have some talented wide receivers. Will Sheppard, London Humphreys, and Jayden McGowan all could give the secondary fits, but Vandy shouldn’t be able to present any other trouble for the Gamecocks.