Gamecock Digest

Ranking the Difficulty of Each Game in South Carolina's 2023 Schedule

South Carolina has been mentioned amongst the teams with the hardest schedules in the nation for 2023. We will be examining which of those games are truly the hardest.

Christian Dart

Ranking the Difficulty of Each Game in South Carolina's 2023 Schedule
Ranking the Difficulty of Each Game in South Carolina's 2023 Schedule /

Now that the 2022 college football season has ended, the time to begin examining South Carolina's 2023 season has started. With spring practices under a month away, outlooking the Gamecocks' next season is becoming imperative. Though the roster is still subject to change once the transfer portal reopens in the Summer, South Carolina's schedule is finalized and ready to be examined. With a slate of interesting games, we have ranked each game from least difficult to most difficult.

12. Jacksonville State @ Williams-Brice Stadium

With the matchups against Clemson and North Carolina slated on the Gamecocks' schedule next season, South Carolina only has two non-power five opponents on the docket. Jacksonville State, who faired 9-2 this past season, is one of those opponents. Though JSU had a solid record this past season, it will be an uphill battle against a talented Gamecocks team at home.

11. Furman @ Williams-Brice Stadium

Though Furman had a solid season this past year, going 10-3, this matchup is similar to JSU. The talent gaps between the two teams are noticeably different and will be apparent in the matchup. Though anything can happen in football, it is difficult to believe that Furman can keep up with South Carolina, especially at home.

10. Vanderbilt @ Williams-Brice Stadium

Vanderbilt turned in their best season since 2018, going 5-7 and beating Florida and Kentucky. Even with a promising year in the Commodores rear view mirror, Vanderbilt will likely finish at the bottom of the SEC once again. Vanderbilt should not be considered the joke they were just two years ago, but South Carolina should expect a win at home.

9. Texas A&M @ Kyle Field

Plenty of teams on this list had underwhelming seasons in 2022, but none were as drastic as Texas A&M's abysmal 2022 season. Coming into the season with the best recruiting class in the country and multiple pre-season rankings in the top ten, the Aggies' 5-7 record to close the year exemplified a dysfunctional program. Head Coach Jimbo Fisher must act quickly to prove his hiring wasn't a mistake.

8. Florida @ Williams-Brice Stadium

Even with Anthony Richardson at the helm, Florida went 6-7 in 2022 and has undergone more turmoil as a program. Losing five-star QB Jaden Rashada was a big blow for a program that thought they had found their next quarterback for years to come. Florida did pull off a big win against the Gamecocks in 2022, but having the game in Columbia should help the Gamecocks significantly in their 2023 matchup.

7. Kentucky @ Williams-Brice Stadium

Kentucky flew way under expectations this past season, beginning the year ranked 20th in the AP Pre-season Top 25 Poll and finishing the year with a disappointing 7-6 record. Though Kentucky still has plenty of talent on the roster to be an elite SEC team, losing QB Will Levis leaves a gap on the Wildcats team that will be tough to fill.

6. Mizzou @ Faurot Field

South Carolina has just four away games in the 2023 season, a significant advantage for a team that faired 5-2 at home and 3-2 on the road this past season. Mizzou may not have as hostile and loud of a home crowd as teams like LSU or Georgia, but Faurot Field can get loud when the Tigers are rolling. Mizzou retained most starters and added QB transfer Jake Garcia from the University of Miami. The expectation for the Tigers in 2023 should be relatively low, but they should continue to be a frisky football team.

5. Mississippi State @ Williams-Brice Stadium

Perhaps one of the most underrated teams in 2022 was Mississippi State. The Bulldogs quietly went 9-4 and had one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Will Rogers. Rogers and the Bulldogs are ready to run it back in 2023 and are looking to overcome LSU and Alabama and win the SEC West.

4. UNC @ Williams-Brice Stadium

Like Kentucky, North Carolina had a very disappointing 2022 season considering the Tarheels' expectations heading into the season. Despite the underwhelming season, UNC will be a dangerous team next season. Boasting one of the best players in the nation in QB Drake Make, the Tarheels will have a dangerous offense sure to give opposing defenses fits.

3. Tennessee @ Neyland Stadium

Led by Hendon Hooker, the Volunteers turned in an 11-2 season and gave promise to a program that is on the rise. Though Hooker is departing Knoxville for the NFL Draft, the Volunteers have two excellent options to replace him. Though transfer Joe Milton is expected to be the starter in 2023, true freshman Nico Iamaleava is another viable option for the Volunteers. Both are extremely talented and are/will be Heisman Candidates in the future.

2. Clemson @ Williams-Brice Stadium

After taking their matchup in 2022, South Carolina is looking to win the Palmetto Bowl two years in a row for the first time since 2012-2013. Clemson's former QB DJ Uiagalelei transferred to Oregon State this offseason, leaving former five-star and ultra-talented Quarterback Cabe Klubnik the starting job. Clemson is losing a few defensive stars like Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy to the Draft, leaving a significant gap in the Tigers' defensive front.

1. Georgia @ Sanford Stadium

Though many talented teams are on this list, Georgia is South Carolina's biggest obstacle this upcoming season. The Bulldogs are running off of back-to-back National Championships, and the three-peat seems well within their grasp. Even after losing multiple talented players, including maybe the best player in the country, Jalen Carter, Kirby Smart's squad will reload with a myriad of five and four-stars like breakout freshman star Mikel Williams.

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Christian Dart
CHRISTIAN DART

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