There has been a lot made of South Carolina’s 2019 schedule, which many think is especially brutal.

SEC West crossover games against Alabama and Texas A&M look daunting, as do games against SEC East foes Georgia and Florida. Add in a rivalry game against Clemson and nearly every week will be a battle for the Gamecocks.

Recently, SEC Network host Paul Finebaum said he thinks the Gamecocks have the hardest schedule in the entire country (via 247Sports):

“I don’t think anyone could argue against the following statement that South Carolina has the hardest schedule in the country,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum said on this week’s show. “It is absolutely brutal. There is just no getting around it. So knowing that you have Alabama, knowing that you have Georgia and Clemson. By almost everyone’s projections, those are the No. 1, 2 and 3 schools in the country.

“You also have the normal lot of Florida and Tennessee and North Carolina to begin. Florida is a potential top 10 team. A&M is not far outside the top 10. We already mentioned the other three.”

Will the Gamecocks be strong enough to qualify for a bowl game this fall? They’ll start their 2019 quest against North Carolina on Saturday, Aug. 31.