South Carolina's permanent SEC opponents set for 2026-29 nine-game model

The SEC has officially revealed its permanent opponent structure for the new nine game format beginning in 2026, and South Carolina's three annual rivals are locked: Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky.

The announcement came Tuesday nigh during SEC Now: 2026-29 Opponents Reveal on SEC Network and ESPN2, where the league released every school's full schedule grid for the next four years.

South Carolina's four-year slate of games (2026-2029)

Here is how the Gamecocks' annual rotation will shake out:

• 2026: Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma

• 2027: Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, LSU, Missouri, Texas, Auburn, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt

• 2028: Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M

• 2029: Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, LSU, Missouri, Texas

The new schedule keeps Georgia and Florida as marquee showdowns while preserving the annual Kentucky clash, a series that is quietly becoming one of the league's most even battles over the past decade.

Why the shift matters

The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026 under a "3 + 6" model: three permanent opponents, six rotating. That ensures every team plays a home-and-home against every other league member over a four-year cycle. The conference says this this avoids long droughts between matchups.

It all gives TV partners more high-value matchups while protecting tradition. For South Carolina, it means guaranteed exposure in recruiting hotbeds Georgia and Florida each season, plus more frequent cross-SEC showdowns with powerhouses like Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama.

Competitive outlook

The Gamecocks' locked trio is tough but balanced: Georgia, the national powerhouse; Florida, the historical rival; and Kentucky, good for bowl positioning and momentum. Pairing those with fair rotation means the road won't be easy, but the schedule isn't a death sentence either.