SEC football: Grading Auburn, rest of league’s non-conference scheduling
By Rob Maxwell
South Carolina
As fortunate as Georgia is to have Georgia Tech as its Power 5 opponent, South Carolina is equally unlucky in having Clemson. The Tigers have reached the College Football Playoff the last three seasons, won the national title in 2016 and were the No. 1 seed last season.
Future non-conference opponents
2018: Coastal Carolina, Marshall, Chattanooga, at Clemson
2019: North Carolina (Charlotte), Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, Clemson
2020: at Clemson, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina
2021: Troy, Clemson, East Carolina
2022: Georgia State, Charlotte, Wofford
2023: North Carolina (Charlotte), Clemson
2024: at Clemson
2025: at Appalachian State, Clemson
FlyWarEagle analysis: Kudos to the Gamecocks for not just sitting on that rivalry matchup with Clemson — because playing the Tigers every season in non-conference would be plenty these days — and adding North Carolina and Appalachian State in 2019. If South Carolina isn’t on its game, UNC and App State can win those games (and vs. UNC in 2023 and App State in 2025). Grade: A