Shane Beamer reacts to South Carolina schedule, reveals toughest stretch

South Carolina‘s 2025 football schedule was revealed on Wednesday night on the SEC Network.

Previewing what is expected to be another exciting season under head coach Shane Beamer after what they were able to accomplish in 2024, the Gamecocks’ headman joined the broadcast to highlight some of the matchups and stretches of the season that he sees as the most challenging to his team in 2025.

“It’s Ole Miss, LSU Alabama, Oklahoma, four in a row there in the middle of the season as well. … I haven’t been to LSU or Ole Miss as a head coach. Only as an assistant,” Beamer said on Wednesday during the SEC’s 2025 schedule reveal. “I know both those places are challenging. [Texas] A&M (later in the schedule) — their stadium speaks for itself as well. What a great environment and a great stadium. For me, it’s just the first one.

“I know it’s coach speak and we’ll worry about them one at a time, but I believe our first away game, true away game, is at Missouri, which we’ve never won at since I’ve been the head coach. … We know that’ll be a big challenge. All of them are, and every road venue is tough.”

South Carolina will travel to Missouri, LSU Ole Miss and Texas A&M and host Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Alabama in 2025. They’ll play Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M consecutively to end SEC play next season. The Gamecocks wrap up the season at home against Coastal Carolina and Clemson in Week 13 and 14, respectively.

While the SEC presents its own obstacle, one matchup immediately stood out to the Gamecocks head coach — an Aug. 31 matchup against Virginia Tech. His father, Frank Beamer, served as the head coach of the Hokies from 1987 to 2015.

“Obviously, a place with great memories of my dad and what he did there,” the South Carolina coach said. “I’m sure there’s gonna be quite a bit of talk over the next eight, nine months leading up to that game, but it’ll be fun.”

Before the Gamecocks can worry about next season, Beamer still has to get his team prepped for the Citrus Bowl against Illinois in a top-25 matchup on New Year’s Eve.

A win would give South Carolina its first 10-win season since Steve Spurrier was head coach during the 2013 season.