The 2026 season looms
The 2026 college football season in South Carolina is shaping up to be a busy one, with nine Division I programs spread across the Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision ranks. While the three FBS teams prepare for high‑profile matchups, the six FCS schools are set to open their campaigns in late August, promising a cascade of games that will kick off the year.
FBS Outlook
Clemson enters the season with a preseason projection of fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers will test their mettle against LSU in a primetime showdown on September 5 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, a game that could set the tone for their conference ambitions.
South Carolina's Start
The University of South Carolina, still reeling from a 4‑8 finish in 2025 that included just one conference victory, will begin its 2026 slate on September 5 at noon Eastern against Kent State. The Gamecocks hope to translate a modest improvement into a more competitive start.
FCS Contenders
South Carolina State, the historically black college that dominates the Mid‑Eastern Athletic Conference, is again viewed as the favorite to capture the MEAC title. The Bulldogs open their schedule on August 29 at 6 p.m. Eastern against Savannah State, a matchup that could serve as an early indicator of their conference dominance.
FCS Early Games
Several FCS programs will begin play in late August. Charleston Southern hosts Lindenwood on August 27 at 7 p.m. Eastern, while The Citadel meets Wofford on August 29 at 6 p.m. Furman opens with Anderson (South Carolina) at 7 p.m., and Presbyterian takes on Virginia‑Wise at the same hour. These early contests will give each team a first chance to build momentum.
Coastal Carolina, which placed third in the Sun Belt East Division last season, finds itself slotted fifth in preseason rankings. The Chanticleers open against West Virginia at noon Eastern on September 5, a non‑conference test that could help gauge their progress.
Coverage of the upcoming games will be anchored by Tia Reid, who reports on Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger, adding a regional perspective to the broader South Carolina football narrative.