SEC preseason poll not confident in South Carolina's SEC outlook for 2026 season

It's no secret that South Carolina football fans are tempering their expectations in 2026. Following a 4-8 season in 2025, which was head coach Shane Beamer's worst mark since arriving in Columbia in 2021, the Gamecocks aren't exactly expected to be a dark horse in the SEC. 

On Friday afternoon, the SEC Media released the preseason poll and predicted order of finish ahead of the 2026 season. After SEC Media Days, the media projected the Gamecocks to finish 11th overall in the conference. Here's a look at the full predicted order: 

As you can see, the Gamecocks are behind both the Missouri Tigers and Florida Gators. South Carolina checked in right above Auburn, which will be led by first-year head coach Alex Golesh in 2026. Arkansas, who will be coached by new head coach Ryan Silverfield checked in last at 16th, right behind Mississippi State and Kentucky, who will be led by new coach Will Stein.  

As if Gamecock fans needed more evidence that South Carolina is in for a tough schedule, six teams that the Gamecocks will play this season were ranked ahead of Shane Beamer's team. Georgia, who South Carolina plays on Nov. 20, was predicted to win the SEC. The Gamecocks will also play Texas A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee and Florida, who were all ranked ahead of South Carolina. 

"For me, as the head coach, it was making sure that we got older," Coach Beamer said at SEC Media Days of his offseason priorities. "We brought in some transfers that have played a lot of football at a lot of places, so we increased the experience. That was one thing that I, as a head coach, can control. We tweaked some things with how we do things in the offseason, practice, things like that. But you do that after every season. You're introspective and look at how you can be better. But we've been very intentional about getting better.

"We've gotten older, like I said. Certainly when you have the season that we had, that's on me. I did not do a good enough job last year to say the least. You're always looking at every game, how can you be better the next week, every season how can you be better the next year. Last year to this year was no different."

Of course, if the Gamecocks can make some noise in the SEC this season, it'll likely boost Shane Beamer's chances at staying in Columbia another season. But even with the coaching staff changes, including offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, and the return of star players like quarterback LaNorris Sellers, receiver Nyck Harbor and running back Matt Fuller, the Gamecocks have to navigate a tough schedule. 

South Carolina's win total is around 6.5 wins for 2026. If the Gamecocks' finish with 6-7 wins, an 11th-place finish seems entirely plausible for 2026. Last year, South Carolina was predicted to finish fifth in the conference following a 9-4 season in 2024. 

WR Nyck Harbor, EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart earn preseason SEC honors

Also included in the SEC's preseason poll for 2026 is the media's preseason all-SEC picks. The Gamecocks had two players make the team, as returning receiver Harbor was selected to the third team as a receiver, and Dylan Stewart made the first-team defense.

Stewart is rehabbing from a back injury he played through the entire 2025 season, but he is expected to be ready for fall camp next month, per head coach Shane Beamer. 

South Carolina gets 3 SEC East Rivalries renewed in 2026, and Shane Beamer is pumped

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow