Steve Spurrier finally got South Carolina to the SEC Championship game last season losing to Auburn. Many think the ole ball coach has a chance for a return visit this season.

Nonconference Opponents: (2010 record)
Sept. 3: East Carolina (6-7)
Sept. 17: Navy (9-4)
Nov. 19: The Citadel (3-8)
Nov. 26: Clemson (6-7)

SEC Home Games:
Sept. 24: Vanderbilt
Oct. 1: Auburn
Oct. 8: Kentucky
Nov. 12: Florida

SEC Road Games:
Sept. 10: Georgia
Oct. 15: Mississippi State
Oct. 29: Tennessee
Nov. 5: Arkansas

South Carolina opens its SEC schedule against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia. It should be noted that the loser of this game has never played in the SEC Championship game. Simply put, it's a must win for the Gamecocks if they plan on going back to Atlanta.

The race for the Eastern Division crown kicks into high gear in mid-October for the Gamecocks, who must face three straight SEC road games. There is a bye between the visit to Mississippi State on October 15 and the visit to Tennessee on October 29, but it's a three game road swing that's capped by a trip to Arkansas on November 5. It doesn't end there, either. South Carolina returns home the next week to face Florida.

The good news is the Gamecocks avoid what should be the two best teams in the league next season (Alabama and LSU). The bad news is that South Carolina is the only team in the league next season that has to play three consecutive true road games. It is very rare in the SEC that any team makes it through unbeaten when it has to go on the road three straight games.

The opener with East Carolina will be played in Charlotte, N.C., so it won't be a true home game, and then comes the pivotal trip to Georgia the next week. The headache comes the following week when Navy comes to town. Preparing for the triple-option with little time to prepare will be a hand full. Beware of Navy!

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