4 possible South Carolina games that ESPN's College GameDay could attend in 2026

ESPN's College GameDay has been in the news this week, as the first two weeks of locations have been formally announced. In Week 1, the crew will be traveling to Baton Rouge for Lane Kiffin's homeopener, as LSU takes on Clemson at home. 

In Week 2, the crew will be traveling to Austin, Texas for the showdown between Texas and Ohio State. 

As we start to look ahead at South Carolina's schedule, let's take a peek at potential Gamecock games the GameDay crew could choose to attend.  Yes, South Carolina is coming off a down 4-8 season last year. But  the roster-building and coaching staff additions the Gamecocks have had this offseason has injected plenty of optimism in Columbia.  

While this list is obviously subjective, selections were made based on potential quality of the matchup itself, as well as other marquee games scheduled across the country for the same week. For example, initially I had South Carolina's road trip to Florida on Oct. 10 on this list, before noticing that Alabama plays Georgia in Tuscaloosa that same week.  

South Carolina vs. Tennessee, Oct. 24

Sure, on the surface, this game might not sound too intriguing off the top. The Vols had an underwhelming 8-5 finish last year just one season after making the College Football Playoff. 

But Tennessee could make some noise this season, landing quarterback Ryan Staub via the transfer portal, and returning four starters along the offensive line as well as star running back Desean Bishop, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year. 

The Vols do have a tough early season, featuring a Week 2 road trip to Georgia Tech as well as drawing both Texas and Alabama in the SEC. But Tennessee gets its three conference games against the Longhorns, Tide and Auburn at home. 

For the Gamecocks, South Carolina could enter this game with just one or two losses, going on the road to play Alabama and Florida before this one.    

This one could be a surprise SEC showdown come late October that GameDay can't pass up. 

South Carolina @ Oklahoma, Oct. 31

Oklahoma made it to the CFP last season, and returns 11 starters from last year entering 2026. The biggest names returning include quarterback John Mateer, running back Troy Blalock and last year's sack leader in Norman in defensive lineman Taylor Wein. 

Oklahoma has a schedule that's prime to put them in the playoff conversation once again, featuring a Week 2 road trip to Michigan, a Week 4 road game against Georgia and getting Texas on Oct. 10. 

If South Carolina enters this one with just one or two losses, it could have some pretty big stakes for the Sooners' playoff hopes. The Sooners defeated South Carolina 26-7 at home last season. 

South Carolina vs. Georgia, Nov. 21 

Of course, this matchup being picked by GameDay hinges largely on South Carolina either being in the playoff hunt or playing the role of spoiler. At this point in the season following games against Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, we'll know which role South Carolina will be playing. 

For starters, the Gamecocks get this one at home. While South Carolina hasn't beaten Georgia since 2019, before Shane Beamer even arrived in Columbia, the Gamecocks could have a shot here. The Dawgs will enter this one coming off of a tough three-game stretch coming against Florida, at Ole Miss and Missouri. 

Georgia is considered to be a playoff team yet again in 2026, bringing back quarterback Gunner Stockton, running back Nate Frazier and a whopping 72% of its defense from last year per ESPN's SP+. But going on the road to play South Carolina isn't exactly easy, especially with the tricky opponents the Dawgs have to play leading up to this one. 

South Carolina could be a trendy upset pick heading into this one that GameDay can't resist. 

South Carolina @ Clemson, Nov. 28

Yes, Rivalry Week is a tough one for CGD, since the possibilities are endless as far as choices. From Michigan-Ohio State, Alabama-Auburn and Texas Texas A&M, there's no shortage of options for the crew this week especially. 

But what better way to celebrate Rivalry Week with the crew heading The Palmetto Bowl for the first time in the show's history? There's no question that this is a huge season for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers, following a down 7-6 year at Clemson. The Tigers have to replace a ton of talent from last season, including quarterback Cade Klubnik. Under center this season it should be either Christopher Vizzina or true freshman Tait Reylonds. 

Although Clemson's schedule opens with LSU on the road, the Tigers get a pretty favorable draw inside the ACC, including Miami and Georgia Tech at home with road trips to Florida State, Syracuse and Duke. There's a very good chance that Clemson could enter Rivalry Week vying for a playoff spot, which is the perfect opportunity for the Gamecocks to spoil those chances. 

Barring any wonky ACC tiebreak scenarios that gives Clemson a shot at making the conference title game, South Carolina can crash the Tigers' CFP party in this one. Sounds like a great GameDay pick to me. 

When was the last time College GameDay went to a South Carolina game? 

The last time the crew attended a South Carolina game was in mid-September of 2024, ahead of the Gamecocks' home game against No. 13 LSU. South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley was of course the guest picker. The Tigers ended up winning a close one 36-33.  

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