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Go 'Cocks!
University of South Carolina
Location: Columbia, SC
Nickname: Gamecocks
Type of School: Public Research University
Mascot: “Sir Big Spur VII” (Red Fighting Gamecock)
Total student body: 36,579 (Fall 2024)
University Established: 1801
Football Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium
Capacity: 77,559
Team Colors: Garnet and Black
South Carolina Annual Opponents 2026-2029
Georgia Bulldogs – The genesis of this series was happened on November 3rd, 1894. They have renewed hostilities 76 times since then. Georgia has a significant “leg up” in the overall series, winning 55 times while losing only 19. The teams did tie 2 times, once in 1962 and again in 1964.
If you ask most Georgians and South Carolinians they will tell you that the problem with the other side is that they are only separated by the width of the Savannah River. This is far too close for most fans.
The vitriol exchanged between the fan bases was exacerbated when then South Carolina Head Coach, Steve Spurrier, declared Georgia to be the Gamecock’s “biggest conference rival”. Solidifying what the fan bases already knew to be true.
Florida Gators – The game between Florida and South Carolina began back in 1911. Since then, it has been played sparsely only happening 44 times in the next 113 years. This matchup has been largely significant for the coaches that have quit or been fired due, in no small part, to the result of this game. Urban Meyer resigned from Florida for a second time after losing to Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks and Will Muschamp was terminated the day after losing this game for the third time in four years. Florida had the better team then, but Spurrier just wouldn’t let his alma mater beat him on any regular basis.
As you might guess, Florida does hold the advantage in wins historically in this one. As of now, the Gators and the Gamecocks have played 44 times with Florida winning 31 times, South Carolina winning 10. and the dreaded tie has been achieved thrice.
Oddly enough, these two teams don’t play one another this year, so we’ll have to wait until next when they will play, at least, 4 years in a row.
Kentucky Wildcats– In preparing to write this blurb, I read many articles regarding this annual matchup. Most rivalries are geographical (border wars like Florida/Georgia), geopolitical (like Missouri/Arkansas), or ideological (Ole Miss/MS State). However, the “bad blood” between Kentucky and South Carolina seems to have begun because Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops, said something mocking South Carolina Head Coach, Shane Beamer, in 2022.
This feels awfully benign for the fuse to ignite a rivalry, but alas, here we are. The authors of the articles I read, wrote that they would be surprised if this game was not included in the annual rivalry games for both Kentucky and South Carolina, so we’ll just take their word for it!
The nuts and bolts of this rivalry are, the ‘Cats and ‘Cocks have played one another 37 times since 1937. South Carolina has the upper hand in the series, 22-13 with 1 tie that happened in their second meeting in 1978. Just to be thorough, the Gamecocks have won the last four meetings, all of which followed the Stoop’s comment. Shane Beamer may want to wear sunglasses after every game from now on. If you know, you know. Just sayin’!