Gamecocks Enter Baton Rouge Gauntlet: South Carolina Faces No. 11 LSU in Crucial SEC Showdown
The toughest stretch of the season has arrived for Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Their five-game SEC gauntlet begins Saturday night under the lights of Tiger Stadium, as South Carolina travels to face No. 11 LSU in Baton Rouge.
Both programs are coming off a bye week — the Gamecocks (3-2, 1-2 SEC) are fresh off an encouraging win over Kentucky, while LSU (4-1, 1-1) looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season, a 35–28 defeat to Ole Miss.
The historical odds don’t favor South Carolina — LSU leads the all-time series 20-2-1, with the Gamecocks’ only victories coming in 1930 and 1994.
Game Info
Matchup: South Carolina (3-2, 1-2 SEC) vs No. 11 LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC)
Kickoff: 7:45 p.m. ET, Saturday
Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
TV: SEC Network
Stream: ESPN.com / ESPN App
Broadcast Team: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
Radio: Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Chet Tucker (Local) | Mark Kestecher, Kelly Stouffer, Ian Fitzsimmons (National – ESPN)
SiriusXM: Channel 384
Betting Outlook
Oddsmakers initially favored LSU by double digits, but the line has shifted slightly toward South Carolina. The Tigers opened as 10.5-point favorites, but the spread now sits at 8.5 points per VegasInsider.
South Carolina enters the weekend 3-1 against the spread this season, while LSU stands at 2-2.
Injury Report
The Gamecocks’ offensive line depth continues to be tested. The SEC’s first official availability report listed Markee Anderson (out), while Cason Henry and Nolan Hay are both doubtful. Defensively, Myles Norwood, Judge Collier, and Troy Pikes are questionable.
The conference will update player statuses up to 90 minutes before kickoff.
Weather Forecast
Traveling Gamecock fans can expect pleasant football weather in Baton Rouge. Temperatures will stay in the mid-80s during the day, drop to the mid-70s around kickoff, and fall to the high 60s by game’s end — a near-perfect fall evening in Death Valley.
Top Storylines
A Painful Memory:
Last year’s meeting in Columbia still stings for South Carolina. LSU escaped with a 36–33 win after a controversial penalty nullified a potential Gamecock pick-six late in the fourth quarter. Head coach Shane Beamer hasn’t brought up the loss to his team, but players have admitted it’s serving as motivation.
Quarterback Clash – Nussmeier vs. Sellers:
This year’s matchup features two of the SEC’s most talented quarterbacks. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns in last season’s win, while South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers showcased his dual-threat ability before leaving with an injury, totaling 113 passing yards, 88 rushing yards, and two rushing scores. With both signal-callers healthy, fans can expect a true duel under the lights.
Can South Carolina Run the Ball Again?
After a sluggish start to the year, the Gamecocks’ rushing attack finally showed life in the Kentucky game, posting a season-high 178 yards on 48 carries and three touchdowns — more rushing scores than their previous four games combined. Beamer’s squad will need that balance again to stand a chance against LSU’s athletic front.
The Gauntlet Begins:
This LSU matchup marks the start of a brutal stretch for South Carolina, featuring five straight games against ranked opponents. At 3–2, the Gamecocks will need to steal at least one or two wins to stay in bowl contention. As Beamer put it earlier this week, “That’s life in the SEC.”
Players to Watch
South Carolina WR Vandrevius Jacobs:
Jacobs has emerged as the Gamecocks’ go-to target, leading the team with 18 receptions, 323 yards, and two touchdowns. He’s gone over 100 yards in back-to-back games and will sport a new number — No. 4 — after switching jerseys following tight end Michael Smith’s departure.
South Carolina RB Matthew Fuller:
Fuller led the team with 19 carries against Kentucky, his most extensive action of the season. Beamer hasn’t confirmed whether Fuller will see an expanded role, but his physical running style could be key to maintaining momentum on the ground.
LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr.:
The versatile star linebacker is a game-changer. Beamer called Perkins “one of the most dynamic defenders in the country.” The 6’1″, 222-pound hybrid defender has recorded 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack this season.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier:
The veteran has thrown for 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. In an ESPN poll of NFL scouts, Nussmeier ranked as the second-best quarterback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft — trailing only South Carolina’s own LaNorris Sellers.
The Road Ahead
South Carolina’s brutal schedule doesn’t ease up after Baton Rouge. Following LSU, the Gamecocks face No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 8 Alabama, No. 4 Ole Miss, and No. 5 Texas A&M in consecutive weeks before closing the season with in-state rival Clemson.
For a 3–2 team with bowl hopes still alive, every game from here on out will feel like a playoff.
