The South Carolina Gamecocks are looking to rebound following a 4-8 season in Columbia. As head coach Shane Beamer enters his sixth year with a 30-33 overall record, every game counts during the upcoming season.
As part of our season preview series, we are breaking down each and every opponent on the Gamecocks' 2026 schedule. In Week 3, South Carolina opens SEC play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Let's break down what the Gamecocks will be facing when it takes on MSU on Sept. 19.
Opponent breakdown: Mississippi State
Mississippi State is coached by third-year head coach Jeff Lebby. In his third season in Starkville, Coach Lebby will be looking to have his first season above .500, going 2-10 in 2024 and 5-8 last season.
The Bulldogs looked on-track to do that last season, as MSU got out to a 4-0 start, and took No. 15 Tennessee to overtime, losing 41-34. Mississippi State then proceeded to lose its last six out of seven games in the regular season, with a lone victory coming against Arkansas.
In 2026, the Bulldogs return leading rusher Fluff Bothwell, who had 700 rush yards with six scores last year. He looks primed for a 1,000-yard season, which hasn't been done in Starkville since 2019. MSU also returns running back Xavier Grayton.
At quarterback, Coach Lebby loses starter Blake Shapen, but sophomore KaMario Taylor, a Mississippi native, looks primed to step up for the job. He was effective as a runner last season, getting 513 rush yards and eight touchdowns.
A former four-star recruit from the class of 2025, he was rated as the No. 11 quarterback in his class. Playing baseball, basketball and football in high school, he threw for 5,485 yards with 73 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in his career. He rushed for over 2,000 yards on the ground, as well.
He's competing with Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann for the job. MSU also returns receivers Anthony Evans and Ayden Williams from last season. The Bulldogs averaged a solid 30.4 points per game last year.
On defense, Mississippi State returns linebackers Isaac Smith, Jalen Smith and Zakari Tillman.
While it feels like Coach Lebby has the pieces in place to take a big step forward, Mississippi State has to navigate one of the hardest schedules in the SEC.
South Carolina has several guys who can fill Jacarrius Peak's OT void Week 1
In addition to going on the road to face the Gamecocks, the Bulldogs draw non-conference Minnesota on the road in Week 3, as well as conference foes in Missouri, Alabama and a three-week stretch including LSU, Oklahoma and Texas with no bye in between. The Egg Bowl against Ole Miss this year is in Oxford.
Key statistics to know
The good news for South Carolina in this one is that the numbers appear to be on their side. Mississippi State has gone 1-8 against South Carolina in the last nine meetings, with the lone victory coming in 2016 in Starkville.
The Bulldogs are also 0-4 in their last four straight SEC road openers, as well. South Carolina has won the last five straight against the Bulldogs at Williams-Brice.
While South Carolina's two stars in Jacarrius Peak and Dylan Stewart could be back for the Gamecocks' Week 2 opponent in Towson, hopefully both have returned by the time South Carolina opens SEC play.
Mississippi State vs. South Carolina game details
- When: Saturday, Sept. 19
- Kickoff Time: 4:15 p.m.
- Live TV: SEC Network
- Live Streaming: WatchESPN
South Carolina will open SEC play at home with kickoff set for 4:15 p.m. The game will air live on SEC Network.
Mississippi State vs. South Carolina prediction
South Carolina 35, Mississippi State 13
This one might be a little too close for comfort for Gamecock fans. But I think Mississippi State can actually play well and hang with the Gamecocks for about three quarters before South Carolina pulls away.
ALSO READ: South Carolina opponent preview: Towson
Add us as a preferred source on Google