The long wait for college football is finally over, South Carolina fans. After eight long months enduring an offseason after a 4-8 season, head coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks can officially kickoff and move on from the losing season.
South Carolina will open the 2026 season at home against Kent State for Week 1. While Coach Beamer and his team are expected to be heavy favorites, let's take a look at what the Las Vegas oddsmakers think of South Carolina's opener. For this, we'll look at a few different sports books.
Kent State vs. South Carolina game odds
- Spread: South Carolina -36.5 (-108) Kent State +36.5 (-112)
- Over/Under: Over 53.5 (-108) Under 53.5 (-112)
- Spread: South Carolina -36.5 (114) Kent State +36.5 (-108)
- Over/Under: Over 53.5 (-115) Under 53.5 (-102)
- Spread: South Carolina -36.5 (-108) Kent State +36.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 53.5 (-110) Under 53.5 (-108)
As you can see, South Carolina is heavily favored. The 2026 meeting between the two schools marks just the second all-time meeting between the two programs, with the last one coming in 1995. That year, South Carolina won big, by a final score of 77-14.
Gamecocks have several guys ready to fill the void of Jacarrius Peak in Week 1
Kent State finished 5-7 last season, and the Golden Flashes are led by second-year head coach Mark Carney.
The good news is that the odds are also in South Carolina's favor in terms of season openers. Head coach Shane Beamer is 4-1 in season openers, losing only to then-No. 23 North Carolina in 2023. South Carolina has also won its last three straight over MAC opponents, winning by an average score of 40-5.
This will also be a great opportunity for quarterback LaNorris Sellers to show what he can do in Kendal Briles' new offense. There is plenty of optimism surrounding the Gamecocks offensively this year, as Briles has had successful stints at TCU and Arkansas in recent years.
South Carolina's home opener will kick off at 12:45 p.m. ET, and air live on SEC Network.
If the odds indicate anything, the Gamecocks being favored by over 30 points means Vegas thinks South Carolina will score early and often.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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South Carolina opponent preview: Alabama Crimson Tide
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