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FAIREY CHEVROLET Drive to the Bayou: Everything you need to know ahead of South Carolina's road trip to LSU

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South Carolina football is coming off an open date but holds a 3-2 overall record and 1-2 mark in conference play. The Gamecocks hope that a lopsided victory over Kentucky last time out and a bye week of adjustments will be enough to build some momentum heading into a big-time SEC showdown.

This weekend, South Carolina will match up with the LSU Tigers on the road in Baton Rouge. Gamecock fans will make a long, 10-hour drive to the Bayou to see USC fight for revenge for the 2024 loss that kept the team out of the College Football Playoff.

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Here’s what you need to know heading into week seven. (GamecockCentral will release an LSU preview later in the week.)

The resumes

  • After being ranked in the top 10 earlier this season, South Carolina is not even in the “also receiving votes” portion of the polls heading into week seven. LSU, on the other hand, pushed as high as No. 3 in the rankings before slipping to No. 13. The Tigers are No. 11 this week in both the AP top 25 and coaches poll.
  • The ESPN FPI numbers have actually trended somewhat positively for Carolina in recent weeks. The Gamecocks now sit at No. 29 in the Football Power Index, with the No. 90 national offense, No. 27 defense, and No. 8 defense. LSU, though, is No. 17 overall, with the No. 43 offense, No. 6 defense, and No. 47 special teams.
  • Last season, South Carolina went 9-4 and 5-3 in the SEC. LSU also went 9-4 and 5-3 in the SEC. So far this year, the Gamecocks are 3-2 (1-2), while the Tigers are 4-1 (1-1).
  • The Gamecocks put quarterback LaNorris Sellers, EDGE Dylan Stewart, and DB Jalon Kilgore on the preseason All-SEC squad. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, running back Cayden Durham, wide receiver Aaron Anderson, linebackers Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins, and return man Barrion Brown made the team, and wide receiver Zavion Thomas made the preseason team twice, once as an all-purpose contributor and then once as a returner.

Recent news

  • South Carolina beat Kentucky two weeks ago, 35-13.
  • LSU lost to Ole Miss two weeks ago, 24-19.
  • Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s rumored abdominal injury was confirmed last week. However, LSU coach Brian Kelly has attempted to downplay its severity.
  • South Carolina and Miami have canceled their home-and-home series for 2026 and 2027. With the SEC and ACC moving to nine-game conference schedules, the game was an obvious cut from the future schedule.

Updates from the coaches

  • South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer spoke to the media this week.
    • During Beamer’s press conference, he shared a few things:
      • He said that the Gamecocks had a good bye week, one that combined practice, recruiting, and off time.
      • Beamer stated that neither he nor the team will use last year’s LSU game as added motivation for this year. He also said that he doesn’t have any issue with the officiating assignments this week.
      • You can see everything Beamer said here.
  • The Gamecock coordinators also spoke to the media on Wednesday.
  • LSU head coach Brian Kelly also spoke to the media this week. You can see everything he said here.
  • Defensive line coach Travian Robertson, who was involved in a serious car accident this preseason, has recently gotten more involved with team activities. While he remains in a reduced role, defensive assistant Jordan Dove and assistant strength coach Jamil Walker have stepped into bigger roles.
  • South Carolina has a new offensive coordinator this season. Mike Shula, who was an analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024, has taken over for Dowell Loggains, who is now the head coach at Appalachian State. Contrastingly, LSU returns its coordinators from the 2024 season.

Notes on week seven

  • South Carolina and LSU will play for the 22nd time on Saturday. It will also mark both team’s sixth game of the 2025 season.
  • This weekend will mark the Gamecocks’ fifth night contest in the row.
  • LSU has sold out Tiger Stadium ahead of Saturday’s game.
  • The Gamecocks lost to the Tigers last season by a score of 36-33. Carolina missed a game-tying field goal at the end and had two defensive touchdowns and a long pass wiped away by questionable penalties.

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History

  • LSU owns the all-time series, 18-2-1.
  • South Carolina hasn’t won against LSU since 1994, an 18-17 victory in Baton Rouge.
  • South Carolina lost the 2024 matchup, 36-33, marking the eight straight win for the Tigers in the series. LSU later vacated two of those victories, including the 2012 loss that kept USC out of the SEC Championship Game, due to recruiting violations.

Injuries

  • South Carolina had several players miss the Kentucky contest, including offensive linemen Cason Henry and Nolan Hay and reserve defensive back Buddy Mack. During the game, offensive lineman Markee Anderson left the contest twice with leg issues, and defensive tackle Gabe Brownlow-Dindy left the game, too. Previously injured players DQ Smith, Trovon Baugh, Michael Smith, and Judge Collier returned to action. Smith has since left the team with an intention of transferring.
  • Head coach Shane Beamer provided a positive injury update for his team after his team beat down Kentucky. He said that his staff was hopeful for Henry and Hay to be available against LSU and that Anderson’s injury wouldn’t be long-lasting.
    • The first availability report on Wednesday night painted a different picture. Both Henry and Hay are “doubtful,” Anderson is “out,” and cornerbacks Judge Collier and Myles Norwood and defensive tackle Troy Pikes are “questionable.”
    • On Thursday, Beamer revealed that Henry and Hay will not play on Saturday, joining Anderson with an “out” designation. He also said that he is optimistic that Collier, Norwood, and Pikes would be ready for the LSU contest. The Thursday night report mirrored that, as Collier was cleared from the injury list, and both Norwood and Pikes were upgraded to “probable.”
    • You can see the entire updated availability report here.
  • EDGE players George Wilson, Kobby Sakyi-Prah, and Jaylen Brown have long-term injuries. So do defensive back Zahbari Sandy, offensive lineman Ryan Brubaker, and defensive lineman Caleb Williams.

Depth chart movement for the Gamecocks

  • South Carolina has not posted a new depth chart this week. You can see the old one from before the Kentucky game here.
    • Leading up to the week five win, there were no changes to the depth chart from the Missouri loss, either.
      • However, there have been several personnel changes in recent weeks.
        • At running back, Matthew Fuller has entered the rotation.
        • Six receivers played at least 15 snaps against Kentucky. Vandrevius Jacobs and Nyck Harbor were the only ones to see action on more than 30 plays. Donovan Murph, Brian Rowe, Mazeo Bennett, and Jared Brown all played between 15 and 27 snaps.
        • All four upperclassmen at tight end played significant snaps against Kentucky. However, Smith’s departure from the team will add more to the plates of Jordan Dingle, Brady Hunt, and Maurice Brown. It could also mean freshman Mike Tyler sees some action, though, he has only played six offensive snaps this season.
        • The offensvie line has undergone the most changes. Boaz Stanley dropped out of the starting lineup and did not play against Kentucky. Cason Henry and Nolan Hay, who both started against Missouri at tackle and center, respectively, before missing the Kentucky game, could return to action. Markee Anderson, who played rotationally at guard, got hurt last time out. Left tackle Josiah Thompson gave way to Tree Babalade late; Babalade started at right tackle and has his spot filled by Jatavius Shivers. Damola Ajidahun filled Hay’s role as a sixth offensive lineman in certain heavy sets.
        • The defensive line saw nine players (five tackles, four EDGEs) play rotationally the last two games. That likely will continue, pending health.
        • Justin Okoronkwo has taken over for Shawn Murphy as a starting linebacker. Murphy remains in the rotation and played pretty well as a reserve against Kentucky.
        • Judge Collier returned from injury and got a handful of snaps at cornerback last game. He could be back in the starting lineup this week. Vicari Swain and Brandon Cisse will continue playing a lot at the position, too, and Myles Norwood likely will see his snaps reduced a bit. At safety, DQ Smith, Peyton Williams, Gerald Kilgore, and David Bucey have all earned significant playing time. Jalon Kilgore has gotten almost all of the nickel snaps, but Cisse has played some when Kilgore has needed a breather.

How to watch/listen

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Television/Streaming

The Gamecocks and Tigers will play on SEC Network this weekend. The ESPN app will make the contest available via streaming, as well. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m.

The ESPN crew will include Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter).

Radio

Nationally, Sirius XM will also have the game available on channel 384.

Locally, Todd Ellis (play-by-play), Tommy Suggs (analyst), and Chet Tucker (sideline reporter) will be on the call on 107.5 The Game.

Fans can also stream the radio broadcast on the 107.5 The Game app.

Local radio affiliates include:

Aiken/Augusta, GA WYBO-FM 92.9
Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5
Asheville, N.C. WZGM-AM 1350
Asheville, N.C. WZGM-FM 96.1
Camden WCAM-AM 1590
Charleston WTMZ-FM 98.9
Chesterfield WVSZ-FM 107.3
Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5
Florence WFRK-FM 95.3
Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500
Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3
Greenville WROO-FM 104.9
Greenwood WCZZ-AM 1090
Marion, N.C. WBRM-AM 1250
Marion, N.C. WBRM-FM 103.9
Myrtle Beach WSEA-FM 100.3
Newberry WKDK-AM 1240
Rock Hill/Lancaster WRHM-FM 107.1
Spartanburg WSPG-AM 1400
Spartanburg WSPG-FM 98.3
Sumter WIBZ-FM 95.5
Union WBCU-AM 1460
Union WBCU-FM 103.5

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