The 2026 college football season may still be a few months away, but the preseason projections are already starting to roll in. While obviously no one can predict how a given season will go for teams, one way to gauge how a given year might go is looking at win totals, set by the Las Vegas oddsmakers.Â
2026 win totals have arrived, as well as the respective odds of a team finishing above or below their projected win totals. Â
For South Carolina, the folks at Bet MGM have placed the Gamecocks' win total at 6.5 for the 2026 season. As for the odds of finishing over or under that 6.5 number, they are as follows:Â
- Over 6.5: +115
- Under 6.5: -145
As you can see, the Gamecocks currently have stronger odds to finish below the 6.5 mark than above. Without reaching six wins, South Carolina would likely fail to make a bowl game in 2026. While it is true that head coach Shane Beamer has done a good job rebuilding this offseason both with the roster and his coaching staff. And with the return of stars like LaNorris Sellers, Nyck Harbor and new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, there is plenty of room for optmism in 2026.
But following a 4-8 season paired with a particularly tough schedule in 2026, you can't blame the oddsmakers for seeing Gamecocks slip behind six wins being seen also as a likely outcome. Not to mention that under Coach Beamer, South Carolina has made just three bowl games in five seasons, with a 33-30 overall record. Â
South Carolina's 2026 season includes conference games against Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Georgia. The Gamecocks also have to face Clemson on the road this season. As far as penciled in wins for the Gamecocks, the games against Kent State and Towson seem like safe bets. But given the chaotic week-to-week grind that comes with playing in the SEC, beating the likes of Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas isn't exactly 100% guaranteed.   Â
Coach Beamer has even accepted head on that he enters the 2026 season fully on the hot seat. And even with his nearly $25 million buyout on the table, South Carolina finishing under 6.5 wins like Vegas suspects would likely result in a coaching change in Columbia.Â
Shane Beamer isn't alone in his assertion that he is squarely on the hot seat in 2026Â
Of course, we are aware that Vegas odds are just predictions, and sometimes can prove to be wildly off. For example, South Carolina's win total last season was 7.5, and the Gamecocks finished 4-8. And perhaps Beamer will prove Vegas and everyone else wrong with a season more like the surprise 9-4 one he had in 2024. But for now, the oddsmakers see a finish below 6.5 wins as more likely.  Â
Time will only tell who turns out being right as the season progresses.
- Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.Â
- If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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