The 2026 college football season is about to begin, and South Carolina’s three FBS schools are hoping this year yields better results than 2025. 

Clemson, Coastal Carolina and South Carolina combined to go (17-21). The Gamecocks went (4-8), Coastal went (6-7) and Clemson went (7-6). 

Below are short previews of each team this season. 

South Carolina

The Gamecocks are back for another year, following a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw the team perform well below expectations. 

A big part of that underperformance was the team’s offensive struggles. Despite having some talented players all around, it just never came together. 

South Carolina had one of the worst offensive lines in the country. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was sacked 40 times, more than any power conference quarterback in the country. 

To address this problem, the Gamecocks added bodies from the portal. Notable offensive line additions include Jacarrius Peak from NC State, Carter Miller from UCF and Hank Purvis from Purdue. 

Sellers will be back behind them after opting to return for his redshirt junior season. His athleticism is a key tool in the Gamecocks' arsenal. 

On the defensive side of the ball, South Carolina will have a mix of new and returning players. Most notable of the returners is edge rusher Dylan Stewart. 

Stewart is one of the top defensive linemen in the country. He battled injuries at the end of last season and the offseason. He’s currently dealing with a back injury that could prevent him from starting week one. 

Other notable players in the defense are Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, Illinois transfer Tomiwa Durojaye, Gerald Kilgore and Vicari Swain. 

Clemson 

Clemson enters 2026 hoping to reclaim its spot as the ACC's top dog. 

While the Tigers are expected to contend for the conference title, they still have plenty of questions to answer. 

Quarterback Christopher Vizzina is set to take on the starting role after being a backup the past few seasons. He is unproven so far, but he’ll have the weapons to succeed around him. 

Receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore are expected to be two of the top targets. Moore led the team in yards last season, while Wesco led in touchdown catches. 

Clemson’s run game is also a bit of a question as the team relies on a younger rushing group and offensive line. 

On defense, Clemson has a lot of consistency up front, but made a few changes in the secondary. 

Ashton Hampton is the veteran returner of the secondary group. The Tigers also brought in transfers Elliott Washington II and Jerome Carter III and Corey Myrick.

Clemson is just outside the preseason top-25, earning the most votes of those teams outside the poll. The Tigers will have to prove themselves in a week one matchup against No. 11 LSU to earn that respect. 

Coastal Carolina 

Coastal Carolina will kick off a new era this season as head coach Ryan Beard officially begins his tenure. 

The Chanticleers qualified for their sixth straight bowl game last season, but that wasn’t good enough for former coach Tim Beck to keep his job. He was fired after the team’s final regular-season game. 

With Beard now running the show, Coastal will look to get back to where it was just a few seasons ago, as one of the best G5 schools in the nation. 

Coastal comes into the season predicted to finish top-five in the Sun Belt this season. The team had three players selected to the preseason all-conference team. All are on defense. 

Defensive back Ja’Marion Wayne made first team. Linebacker Tray Brown is on the second team, along with defensive back Myles Woods.

On offense, Coastal has numerous skill guys looking to contribute. Running backs Dominic Knicely, Jevon Edwards and Daelen Alexander will lead the rushing attack. 

The passing game has a bit more questions, with quarterbacks Deuce Bailey, Tre Guerra and Trever Jackson all in the running to be named week one starter. Bailey is the most familiar with Beard’s system, having followed him from his previous school.

Whoever is named the starter will have options to work with, including incoming transfer receivers Tristian Gardner and Clayton Coppock. 

Coastal opens the season Sept. 5 on the road against West Virginia.

2026 schedules

South Carolina

Week 1 - Sept. 5 - vs. Kent State

Week 2 - Sept. 12 - vs. Towson 

Week 3 - Sept. 19 - vs. Mississippi State

Week 4 - Sept. 26 - at Alabama

Week 5 - Oct. 3 - vs. Kentucky

Week 6 - Oct. 10 - at Florida

Week 7 - Oct. 17 - BYE

Week 8 - Oct. 24 - vs. Tennessee

Week 9 - Oct. 31 - at Oklahoma

Week 10 - Nov 7 - vs. Texas A&M

Week 11 - Nov. 14 - at Arkansas

Week 12 - Nov. 21 - vs. Georgia 

Week 13 - Nov. 28 - at Clemson

Clemson

Week 1 - Sept. 5 - at LSU

Week 2 - Sept. 12 - vs. Georgia Southern 

Week 3 - Sept. 19 - vs. North Carolina

Week 4 - Sept. 26 - at California 

Week 5 - Oct. 3 - vs. Miami

Week 6 - Oct. 10 - BYE

Week 7 - Oct. 17 - vs. Charleston Southern 

Week 8 - Oct. 24 - vs. Virginia Tech

Week 9 - Oct. 31 - at Florida State

Week 10 - Nov 7 - at Syracuse

Week 11 - Nov. 14 - vs. Georgia Tech 

Week 12 - Nov. 20 - at Duke

Week 13 - Nov. 28 - vs. South Carolina

Coastal Carolina

Week 1 - Sept. 5 - at West Virginia

Week 2 - Sept. 12 - vs. Fordham

Week 3 - Sept. 19 - at Delaware

Week 4 - Sept. 24 - vs. Liberty 

Week 5 - Oct. 3 - vs. Georgia Southern 

Week 6 - Oct. 10 - at Marshall 

Week 7 - Oct. 16 - vs. Appalachian State

Week 8 - Oct. 24 - BYE

Week 9 - Oct. 31 - at Georgia State

Week 10 - Nov 7 - vs. Old Dominion 

Week 11 - Nov. 14 - vs. Arkansas State 

Week 12 - Nov. 21 - at Louisiana

Week 13 - Nov. 28 - vs. James Madison