South Carolina’s 2025 Football Schedule: Revenge, Redemption, and Playoff Dreams
South Carolina football’s 2025 schedule is packed with high-stakes matchups, including opportunities for revenge against three of the four teams that defeated them last season. Coming off a 9-4 campaign and a 19th-place finish in the final AP poll, the Gamecocks are poised to take on some of the toughest challenges in college football next year.
The season kicks off in Atlanta, where Shane Beamer’s squad will face Virginia Tech in the Aflac Kickoff Game. The Hokies, who finished 6-7 last year, haven’t had consistent success since Frank Beamer, Shane’s father, stepped down in 2015. This opening matchup is a prime opportunity for the Gamecocks to set the tone for the season with a commanding win.
Following that, South Carolina will host South Carolina State, a game expected to serve as a confidence booster before diving into SEC play. Their conference opener against Vanderbilt at home won’t be a cakewalk, as the Commodores, led by quarterback Diego Pavia, are coming off a surprising 7-6 season with multiple upsets in 2024.
The Gamecocks’ first major test will come on the road against Missouri, a top-25 team in the final AP rankings last season. The Tigers will be looking to avenge their 34-30 loss to South Carolina in Columbia in 2024.
Next, South Carolina will face Kentucky, LSU, and Oklahoma, three teams that missed the AP rankings last year but remain dangerous. The matchup against LSU will be particularly intriguing as the Gamecocks seek revenge for their 33-36 loss in a controversial game last season.
One of the most anticipated games on the schedule is the homecoming showdown against Alabama. The Crimson Tide narrowly escaped with a 27-25 victory in 2024, and fans are hoping for a similar thriller with a different result this time around.
The Gamecocks will then hit the road to close out SEC play with back-to-back games against Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Both teams are coming off strong seasons and have aspirations of reaching the College Football Playoff in 2025. The matchup against Ole Miss is particularly significant, as the Gamecocks aim to redeem themselves after last year’s most embarrassing loss to the Rebels.
The season wraps up with non-conference home games against Coastal Carolina and fierce in-state rival Clemson. The Tigers will undoubtedly be seeking revenge after South Carolina stunned them with a 17-14 victory in 2024.
While the 2025 schedule is daunting, it’s not insurmountable. With matchups against three of last year’s four losses and showdowns with three Tiger mascots, the stage is set for Shane Beamer’s team to make a statement. Could this be the year the Gamecocks break through to the College Football Playoff? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Gamecock Nation will be watching every step of the way.
