South Carolina Football: SEC announces a night game for Gamecocks

At long last, Shane Beamer and his South Carolina football squad ended their long losing streak and got back into the win column on Saturday. In a tight game against Jacksonville State (one that left many fans and former players unhappy), the Gamecocks pulled out the all-important victory as they continue their climb toward bowl eligibility.

Next up is the Vanderbilt Commodores this Saturday. Carolina will welcome 2-8 Vandy to Williams-Brice Stadium for a 12:00 kick as they look to grow their 14-game streak over the ‘Dores to 15 games. The Gamecocks haven’t lost to the Commodores since losing back-to-back games in 2007 and 2008. USC is 28-4 all-time against Vandy, also losing two in a row in 1998 and 1999.

However, even if Carolina beats Vanderbilt, there is another two games on the schedule that must be won to reach a bowl. On Monday, the SEC announced some information on the game that immediately follows this weekend’s contest against Vanderbilt.

South Carolina football will be back in prime time as the Gamecocks and Kentucky Wildcats will play at 7:30 on SECNetwork and the ESPN app.

Last year, USC and UK played at night in Lexington, Kentucky, and the Gamecocks pulled off the minor upset. This year, pending how this weekend’s games go against Vanderbilt (South Carolina plays Vandy at home) and Alabama (Kentucky plays Alabama at home), the ‘Cocks should be favored by a small margin.

If the South Carolina football program is to play in their third-straight bowl game, Beamer and company will need to win out against Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and Clemson. All three games are at home and winnable, but the rival Tigers will be favored in the final game of the year.

It is worth noting that bowls can invite 5-7 teams that have high team GPAs if there are not enough teams that have reached traditional bowl eligibility (6 wins).