The 2018 South Carolina Gamecocks football team (variously USC, SC, South Carolina, or The Gamecocks) represents the University of South Carolina in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marks the Gamecocks 125th overall season, 27th as a member of the SEC, and 3rd under head coach Will Muschamp. The Gamecocks play their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Background Previous season South Carolina started out the 2017 season with a win over NC State in the Belk Kickoff Game 35–28. They then followed it up with a road win against Missouri 31–13. In the following game vs Kentucky, star wide receiver Deebo Samuel broke his right fibula, and would miss the remainder of the season. After close losses to Texas A&M and Kentucky, South Carolina defeated 3 SEC schools in a row; Arkansas, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. After a hard-fought 24–10 loss to rivals #1 Georgia on the road, South Carolina defeated Florida 28–20 finishing 5–3 in SEC play good enough for 2nd in the SEC East. South Carolina recorded their fifth 9-win season in the last 8 years, going 9–4, 5–3 in the SEC. The Gamecocks finished in the top 2 in the SEC East for the 4th time in 8 years, and won their fifth bowl game in 7 years defeating Michigan 26–19 in the Outback Bowl. Offseason departures Preseason Returning starters South Carolina will have sixteen returning players on offense, nine on defense and two on special teams that started games in 2017. Offense Defense Special teams Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released SEC media poll The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018, with the Gamecocks predicted to finish in second place in the East Division. Preseason All-SEC teams The Gamecocks had three players at five positions selected to the preseason all-SEC teams. Offense 1st team Deebo Samuel – WR 3rd team Zack Bailey – OL Specialists 1st team Deebo Samuel – RET Deebo Samuel – all purpose player 2nd team Joseph Charlton – P Recruiting Position key 2018 recruiting class Incoming transfers South Carolina added two grad transfers, and two regular transfers to the 2018 roster. Schedule Spring game The 2018 South Carolina Gamecocks Garnet and Black spring game took place in Columbia, South Carolina on March 31, at 12:00 p.m. EST. The game was broadcast live on the SEC Network. The