The last time ESPN’s “College GameDay” was in Columbia, Steve Spurrier was the Gamecocks’ head coach. It’s been a decade since South Carolina had enough national cache — mixed with fortunate scheduling — to lead ESPN’s weekly show back to the capital of the Palmetto State.
Since it was announced that “College GameDay” would be the opening act for No. 16 LSU at undefeated South Carolina on Saturday, Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer has been adamant that it will “hopefully be the first of many, many times” the show comes to Columbia while he’s leading USC.
Saturday will be the eighth time that “College GameDay” goes live from Columbia and the 10th time South Carolina has appeared on the show.
Just last season, “GameDay” opened the season in Charlotte ahead of the Gamecocks’ neutral-site matchup against North Carolina, a game that UNC won by 14. The other time South Carolina was on the show but not hosting was in 2012, when the 9th-ranked Gamecocks played at No. 3 Florida. In a bizarre turnover-laden contest, the Gators racked up just 183 yards of offense ... and won by 33.
Luckily for South Carolina, its fortune has been a tad sweeter when “GameDay” is in the Soda City and Gamecock fans are tailgating before dawn.
In the seven previous instances that South Carolina has hosted “College GameDay,” the Gamecocks have gone on to win three times.
Here’s a breakdown of those seven games:
2014
Loss.
September 27 // Week 5
Missouri 21, No. 13 South Carolina 20
Guest Picker: Kenny Chesney.
Gamecocks led 20-7 in the fourth quarter but unranked Missouri scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes to upset South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. Gamecocks tailback Mike Davis ran for over 100 yards and a score. The game looked better over time as Missouri advanced to the SEC Championship, losing to Alabama. USC finished the season 7-6.
2012
Win.
October 6 // Week 6
No. 6 South Carolina 35, No. 5 Georgia 7
Guest picker: Darius Rucker
A game best known for Ace Sanders’ stupefying 70-yard punt return , Spurrier’s squad walloped a Georgia team led by Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley. The Gamecocks moved to 6-0, before losing to LSU and Florida in the next two weeks. On this night, though, Connor Shaw completed six passes for over 160 yards as Marcus Lattimore galloped for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
2010
Win.
October 9 // Week 6
No. 19 South Carolina 35, No. 1 Alabama 21
Guest Picker: N/A
One of the greatest upsets of the decade, the Gamecocks took down No. 1 Alabama on a magical day in Columbia. And the game was hardly in doubt — at one point USC was up 21-7. Stephen Garcia was 17-for-20 passing for 201 yards, throwing a pair of touchdowns to Alshon Jeffery and another to Lattimore. South Carolina went on to win nine games for the second time since 1984.
2006
Loss.
October 28 // Week 9
No. 8 Tennessee 31, South Carolina 24
Guest Picker: N/A
South Carolina led late, but Tennessee scored on its first three possessions of the fourth quarter took control of the game. Gamecocks quarterback Syvelle Newton threw for 230 yards and ran for another 83, but tossed a trio of interceptions, including one that sealed the game. The Gamecocks finished 8-5, going to two-straight bowl games under Spurrier.
2005
Win.
September 1 // Week 1
South Carolina 24, UCF 15
Guest Picker: N/A
“College GameDay” was in Columbia as the 2005 season began. South Carolina was months removed from its fight with Clemson and Spurrier was back in college football, coaching the Gamecocks for the first time. The Gamecocks got off to a 14-0 lead and cruised the rest of the way. Quarterback Blake Mitchell threw for over 300 yards.
2004
Loss.
September 11 // Week 2
No. 4 Georgia 20, South Carolina 16
Guest Picker: N/A
In what became the final season for coach Lou Holtz, South Carolina beat Vanderbilt in the opener before the fourth-ranked Bulldogs came to Columbia. The Gamecocks took an early 16-0 lead after a South Carolina safety, 64-yard touchdown from Dondrial Pinkins to Troy Williamson and a Ko Simpson pick-six . But the Gamecocks didn’t score a point in the second half and Georgia got the win.
2001
Loss.
November 10 // Week 11
No. 4 Florida 54, No.. 14 South Carolina 17
Guest Picker: N/A
The Gamecocks came into this game 7-2 and ranked in the top 15. But Florida, then led by Spurrier, were too much. Sophomore quarterback Rex Grossman, who finished second in Heisman voting that year , threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in the blowout victory. The Gamecocks went on to beat Clemson for the first time in five years then knock off Ohio State in the Outback Bowl to finish 9-3.
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