It’s rare to see bulletin board material this early, but South Carolina has given Alabama football some by their scheduling decision. The Gamecocks have chosen their October 25th matchup with Alabama as their homecoming game, a move that some view as a sign of how the Crimson Tide is currently perceived.
Homecoming games are typically scheduled against opponents that teams feel confident they can beat, as no one wants to lose on such an occasion. South Carolina could have easily designated their game against Oklahoma the week before as homecoming, especially after their dominant victory over the Sooners last season. They likely feel they can replicate that performance against Brent Venables’ team at home.
The matchup between Alabama and South Carolina became even more significant after both teams finished the 2024 regular season with identical 9-3 records, sparking debates about the final College Football Playoff spot. Many believed South Carolina, after winning their last six games, deserved to be ranked higher than Alabama, despite the Crimson Tide’s head-to-head victory. Alabama narrowly won 27-25 in a game that included a dramatic Hail Mary attempt that was intercepted just shy of the end zone to seal the win.
While the Gamecocks turned out to be a formidable team, both Alabama and South Carolina missed out on playoff spots due to other results, including SMU’s close loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship. Both teams vented about the perceived slight, only to have their complaints rendered moot after losing to Big Ten teams in their respective bowl games.
With quarterback LaNorris Sellers returning in 2025, South Carolina is expected to be a preseason favorite, and the Gamecocks clearly feel confident heading into next season. By choosing Alabama for their homecoming game, they’re making a bold statement, though it may end up motivating the Crimson Tide players, who will likely carry extra determination into their trip to Columbia in October.
