For the first time in recent memory, South Carolina will open the season against an opponent outside the SEC or ACC. Coastal Carolina will serve as the tuneup to the big Week 2 SEC showdown against Georgia on CBS.

The Gamecocks in the last 10 years have played in three Outback Bowls, two Capital One Bowls and two Independence Bowls. But it could come down to a pair of road games down the stretch with teams coach Will Muschamp is all too familiar with that will determine their fate.

Week 2: vs. Georgia

On the surface, these teams seem to be on different levels. Georgia has won 3 straight in the series. But the home team has won 5 of the past 6.

If there’s ever a time for an upset, it’s with the return of Deebo Samuel in his second game back after missing the bulk of last season — including this game — with a broken leg. The timing of this one is tough because while South Carolina has upgraded its roster, Georgia still has more talent, but much of it is young and inexperienced in this type of game. This early test will likely set the mood for the kind of season the Gamecocks will experience, and decide if they head to Tampa, Fla. or Orlando, Fla. or a more desirable destination. One cause for concern? QB Jake Bentley has 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions in two games against Georgia.

Week 5: at Kentucky

One of the more underrated streaks in the SEC is Kentucky’s 4-game winning streak against the Gamecocks, including a 10-point win in Columbia last season in a game where Samuel made key contributions before his major injury.

Beating the likes of Georgia, or other divisional heavyweights, wouldn’t hold as much weight if the Gamecocks continue to stub their toe in this series. The past two years, Kentucky’s exposed South Carolina’s defensive front by winning without a passing touchdown. Benny Snell had 102 yards and 2 touchdowns last season, but as great as Snell is, the Kentucky offensive line is hardly mentioned as among the best in the league. It has been the defense that has carried Kentucky as the Wildcats haven’t topped 30 points in the past three meetings. Beating Kentucky is critical if the Gamecocks are to make Atlanta in December, or a January bowl game.

Week 9: vs. Tennessee

The Gamecocks have won 5 of the past 8, and won’t find a more ideal time to get the Vols than off of a bye week at home against a first-year head coach.

This is already the golden era from the garnet and black perspective in this series as that recent 5-game winning spurt is more than half of the program’s 9 all-time wins. The goal-line stand to cap last year’s win is the kind of play that builds momentum in the second half of the season. With road games the next two weeks at Ole Miss and Florida, then the regular-season finale at Clemson, South Carolina needs this one in the bag to pad the bowl resume.

Week 11: at Florida

Another barometer game for the modern versus historical argument as the Gamecocks have won 5 of the past 8, a far cry from the balance of the series across history.

Last year’s game handed Florida its fifth consecutive loss in the 2017 season. Best-case scenario, a win here would upgrade the bowl picture, and worst-case scenario, this is necessary for bowl eligibility.

Since Muschamp has already returned to Gainesville, a bit of the edge will be off this one, which should help the Gamecocks. Both the Gamecocks and Gators are on the bowl eligibility bubble for the win totals in the eyes of Vegas over/under totals. This game could also have a sidebar storyline of jockeying in the bowl pecking order.

Week 13: at Clemson

The Gamecocks have never lost five consecutive to Clemson, something they’re trying to avoid this season. Make no mistake, it was the first question Muschamp fielded when he took over as coach, and the expectations have only ramped up with the back-to-back lopsided losses. South Carolina proved last season that it can rebound in a bowl game from a throttling in the Palmetto Bowl, but beating a Playoff contender, which all indications are Clemson will be, would give them a leg up, be it the Gator, Outback, Citrus, or Sugar bowls.