ANALYSIS: A Deeper Look At South Carolina's 2024 Football Schedule

South Carolina's Football program found out it's full 2024 schedule on Wednesday night, and there are multiple takeaways to be had.

On Wednesday night, the SEC announced through its primary television network partner, ESPN, the full football schedule for each SEC program. For those who missed it or need a refresher, here's what what the 2024 schedule looks like for the Gamecocks:

South Carolina's 2024 Football Schedule

Week 1: vs Old Dominion

Week 2: at Kentucky

Week 3: vs LSU

Week 4: vs Akron

Week 5: BYE

Week 6: vs Ole Miss

Week 7: at Alabama

Week 8: at Oklahoma

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: vs Texas A&M

Week 11: at Vanderbilt

Week 12: vs Missouri

Week 13: vs Wofford

Week 14: at Clemson

So, what are my biggest takeaways from this slate?

October Scaries...

Despite having resided in what's viewed as a relatively easier SEC Eastern division for quite some time, South Carolina has always been seen as a team that gets the short end of the stick in terms of their schedule. While most of their 2024 slate can be best termed as manageable, the month of October for the Gamecocks could arguably be the toughest three-game stretch for any SEC team, as they'll play against Ole Miss at home, then back-to-back road games against Alabama and Oklahoma. Those three teams went a combined 32-5 through championship weekend in 2023. Yikes.

A Lucky Home Draw

From this point forward, very few SEC schedules will be deemed a cakewalk by any standard, and Carolina will have their share of challenging games in 2024, facing five SEC teams who won 9 or more games in 2023. The good news, however is this: three of those games will be taking place at Williams-Brice Stadium: LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri. The Tigers' trip to Columbia will be their first true road game of the season, while the Gamecocks will have two weeks to prepare for their bout against Ole Miss and play Vanderbilt the week before they take on Missouri.

A Rare Chance To Start & Finish Strong

In his first three seasons in Columbia, Shane Beamer has gone 8-4 in November and simultaneously clinched a bowl birth on two separate occasions. However, South Carolina has had to go to such lengths to play in the postseason due to tough opening draws, particularly in 2022 and 2023. This season, the Gamecocks play four of their first five games at home, with their two toughest matchups, LSU and Ole Miss, taking place in Columbia.

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