| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Kent State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Carolina | 7 | 22 | 14 | 14 | 57 |
Final. Saturday, September 5, 2026. Kicked off 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
South Carolina opens Shane Beamer’s sixth season at Williams Brice Stadium against Kent State, which has been the worst program in the FBS over the past two years. The Gamecocks are coming off a disappointing year but still put 51 on Coastal Carolina in last season’s opener, and the books expect something similar here.
| Kickoff | 12:45 p.m. ET · 11:45 a.m. CT · 10:45 a.m. MT · 9:45 a.m. PT |
| TV | SEC Network |
| Streaming | ESPN app with a provider login, Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling with the sports add on |
| Venue | Williams Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina |
| Line | South Carolina by 35.5 at most books; total 53.5. Check yours before kickoff. |
Prediction and Odds
The spread says blowout and the matchup agrees. Kent State has won a handful of games in the last three seasons combined and is rebuilding again, while South Carolina needs a fast start with a nine game SEC schedule and Beamer, one of the higher paid coaches in the league, under some pressure. The Gamecocks will empty the bench early, which is the only thing that keeps this close to the number. We like South Carolina to win by five touchdowns and the total to go over on the strength of the first half alone.
Our pick: South Carolina 45, Kent State 7. South Carolina wins and covers 35.5; over 53.5 hits.
Why This One Matters
It is South Carolina’s only warm up before SEC play, and a chance for the offense to show it has fixed the problems that sank last season. For Kent State it is the first of two guarantee games that fund the athletic department.
How to Watch Without Cable
SEC Network is in the base packages of Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream, and on Sling with the sports extra add on. It also streams in the ESPN app with any of those logins. More in our streaming guide.
The Bottom Line
Kent State at South Carolina kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET Saturday, September 5 on SEC Network. South Carolina is our pick to win and cover. Result on our live scoreboard.