South Carolina is gearing up for a massive Saturday night showdown under the lights in Baton Rouge, as the Gamecocks take on the No. 11-ranked LSU Tigers in front of a sold-out Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. (Eastern), with coverage on SEC Network and streaming available via the ESPN app.
Both teams have experienced time in the national spotlight this season, but their paths have since diverged. Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks have fallen out of the Top 25, while Brian Kelly’s Tigers continue to hold firm just outside the playoff race. For South Carolina, however, this game means more than just rankings—it’s about redemption.
The Gamecocks suffered a heartbreaking 36-33 loss to LSU last season, a defeat that came with plenty of controversy. Hosting ESPN’s College GameDay, South Carolina jumped out to a 17-0 lead, only to see it slip away amid questionable officiating decisions. That loss ultimately cost the Gamecocks a spot in the College Football Playoff, leaving a bitter taste that still lingers in Columbia.
This weekend, South Carolina is hoping a familiar look can bring a little extra luck. According to the team’s official social media page, the Gamecocks will wear the same uniform combination they debuted in the season opener against Virginia Tech—black helmets, black jerseys, and black pants.
The black helmets feature a bold Block C logo, and the full “Battle Armor” reveal on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed the team will once again go with the all-black look.
“Battle Armor ⚔️,” the post read, alongside a slick hype video showcasing the sleek uniform combo.
It marks the fourth time under Beamer that South Carolina will go all-black, and notably, the team has never lost in that uniform. The Gamecocks beat Kentucky (2023), Texas A&M (2024), and Virginia Tech (2025) wearing black, and they’ll hope the trend continues on Saturday.
Interestingly, LSU’s tradition of wearing white uniforms at home allows visiting teams more freedom in their own color selections—a rare opportunity that South Carolina has used to its full advantage.
While LSU enters the contest as a 9.5-point favorite, the Gamecocks are hoping their “black magic” look and the chance for revenge will help them pull off an upset in Death Valley.
If history is any indication, good things happen when South Carolina wears black—and Saturday night in Baton Rouge could be the latest chapter in that streak.
