South Carolina–Tennessee football rivalry

{{Multiple image

| image1 = Williams Brice Stadium (cropped).jpg

| image2 = Neyland aerial view of checkerboard.jpg

| footer = Starting from 1942 except from 1943 to 1964 and then again from 1967 to 1968, the rivalry alternates between the homes of the South Carolina's and Tennessee's home stadium each year: Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina and Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, respectively.

}}

Tennessee dominated in the early years of the rivalry, leading the series 19–2–2 through the 2005 meeting. Once Steve Spurrier became the South Carolina coach, the nature of the rivalry changed, highlighted by three straight wins from 2010 to 2012. Since Spurrier first beat Tennessee at South Carolina in 2005, the series is tied 9–9.{{Cite web |title=No. 18 Tennessee, South Carolina renew tight rivalry |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/no-18-tennessee-south-carolina-renew-tight-rivalry |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Williford |first=Billy |date=October 22, 2018 |title=7.5 points is too many in Vols-Gamecocks rivalry |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2018/10/22/tennessee-football-7-5-points-gamecocks/ |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=All for Tennessee |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Kevin |date=September 30, 2023 |title=South Carolina Football: Tennessee matchup is among college football's closest in recent years |url=https://garnetandcocky.com/2023/09/30/south-carolina-football-tennessee-close/ |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=Garnet and Cocky |language=en-US}} The series is known for its streak of close, competitive games, as from 2000 to 2008, each meeting except for 2004 was decided by one possession, and from 2012 to 2018 each game was decided by less than one score, and all but the 2017 game were by 3 points or less.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=BVMSports |date=September 30, 2023 |title=South Carolina vs Tennessee: A Close and Exciting Rivalry in College Football |url=https://bvmsports.com/2023/09/30/south-carolina-vs-tennessee-a-close-and-exciting-rivalry-in-college-football/ |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=BVM Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Football History vs University of South Carolina |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/opponent-history/university-of-south-carolina/68 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Tennessee's all-time results against South Carolina |url=https://volswire.usatoday.com/2022/11/15/tennessees-all-time-results-against-south-carolina/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Vols Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=How UT Vols vs South Carolina has changed Tennessee football history in last two games |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2018/10/24/tennessee-vols-football-south-carolina-jeremy-pruitt-muschamp/1723859002/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} For South Carolina, this series, along with Florida, is generally regarded as their most significant SEC rivalry behind Georgia.{{Cite web |last=Tapp |first=Connor |title=The 2024 SEC schedule and the end of the regional sports conference |url=https://www.totheeforeverago.org/p/south-carolina-gamecocks-2024-football-schedule |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=www.totheeforeverago.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Chris |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Gamecocks Connection: About that 2024 schedule |url=https://www.on3.com/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks/news/south-carolina-gamecocks-connection-about-that-2024-football-schedule/ |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=On3 |language=en}} For Tennessee, their losses to South Carolina coincided with a series of poor seasons during the late 2000’s and 2010’s.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=John |title=Why South Carolina rivalry is so important to UT Vols |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2018/10/23/ut-vols-tennessee-south-carolina-rivalry-so-important/1698667002/ |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}}

In fact, over the course of 16 seasons from 2008 to 2023, the Gamecocks and the Volunteers not only both shared a record of 8 wins a piece but also three-peated each other twice. South Carolina won three straight over Tennessee in 2010, 2011, and 2012 as well as 2016, 2017, and 2018. Tennessee would also have multiple three-game winning streaks over South Carolina during this 16-game stretch, first with 2013, 2014, and 2015 along with 2019, 2020, and 2021. As for the remaining four games, the 2008 to 2023 stretch of the rivalry began with the two going 1-1 against each other and the stretch ended with the two going 1-1 against each other. South Carolina won in 2008 in Columbia 27 to 6, followed by Tennessee getting the victory in Knoxville on Halloween Night for the 2009 edition, 31 to 13, in the Vols' first ever game wearing black uniforms. After the aforementioned three-peats for both programs, South Carolina upset Tennessee 63 to 38 in 2022 in Williams-Brice Stadium costing the Volunteers a chance at the College Football Playoffs that season. The following contest in 2023 in Neyland Stadium saw Tennessee get revenge on the Gamecocks 41 to 20.

1992: The first matchup of the two teams in the newly created SEC East was ultimately the last game before it was announced that legendary Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors would not return the next season. Tennessee had started the year 5–0, with wins over Georgia and Florida under interim coach Phillip Fulmer, while Majors recovered from open-heart surgery. Once Majors returned, Tennessee had consecutive losses to Arkansas and Alabama before traveling to Columbia. For South Carolina, their first year in the SEC got off to a challenging start with a 0–5 record. Entering the game with Tennessee, South Carolina had rebounded with two straight wins over #15 Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. The game came down to the very last play as the #16 Vols scored a late touchdown pass to Mose Phillips after being down 24–17. Tennessee attempted a two-point conversion, hoping to avoid a tie and maintain control over the SEC East, but the conversion failed. Before Tennessee's next game was played, it was announced Majors would step down at the end of the season to be replaced by Fulmer. This game also would cost Tennessee a spot in the first SEC Championship game. South Carolina continued to rebound and finished off the year with a win over rival Clemson and a 5–6 record.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2018/10/26/tennessee-football-games-history-sc/11/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=All for Tennessee |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=South Carolina 24, No. 15 Tennessee – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/10/31/South-Carolina-24-No-15-Tennessee/2899720507600/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1992 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/south-carolina/1992-schedule.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

2005: Entering the 2005 matchup, #23 Tennessee had won 12 straight in the series and was looking to get their season back on track after starting #3 in the country, but getting out to a 3–3 record with losses to #6 Florida, #5 Georgia, and #5 Alabama. The night game featured the retirement of former Tennessee QB Peyton Manning's number 16. Meanwhile, Steve Spurrier was in his first year with South Carolina, who had 4–3 with losses to Georgia, Alabama, and Auburn. With a little over 2 minutes left in the game, Tennessee led 15–13 when Josh Brown converted a 49-yard field goal to give the Gamecocks the lead and eventual win following a Tennessee turnover on downs. The result ended the 12-game Tennessee win streak, gave South Carolina their first-ever win at Tennessee, and marked Fulmer's first loss to South Carolina in his career.{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2005 |title=South Carolina Hangs On To Beat No. 23 Tennessee |url=https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2005/10/29/south-carolina-hangs-on-to-beat-no-23-tennessee/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=University of South Carolina Athletics |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Silvia |first=Brent |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Looking Back: Tennessee |url=https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2022/11/18/23464661/south-carolina-gamecocks-looking-back-tennessee-volunteers |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=Garnet And Black Attack |language=en}} Tennessee would continue to struggle, ending the year with a 5–6 record, ending a streak of bowl games dating back to 1988. South Carolina would finish 2nd in the SEC East and go on to the Independence Bowl, and a final record of 7–5.{{Cite web |title=2005 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2005-schedule.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2005 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/south-carolina/2005-schedule.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

2007: In the 2007 meeting, both teams entered tied for first in the SEC East, although both lost to struggling SEC teams the previous week. The 6–2 #15 Gamecocks scored just six points in a home loss to 3–3 Vanderbilt, while 5–3 Tennessee was soundly beaten on the road by unranked Alabama. Earlier the same day, Georgia's win over Florida meant the winner of the night game would take control of the division. Tennessee started with a strong 21–0 lead at halftime, but South Carolina got back into the game after Tennessee only got 70 yards in the second half. Ultimately, two South Carolina turnovers in the last seven minutes allowed Tennessee to come back and tie the game at 24–24 to force overtime. Another South Carolina turnover allowed the Vols to win 27–24, despite South Carolina having 501 yards to Tennessee's 317.{{Cite web |title=South Carolina 24–27 Tennessee (Oct 27, 2007) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/273002633 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622194949/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/273002633 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} Tennessee went on to win out in the regular season and claim the East division title, advancing to the SEC Championship Game where they ultimately lost to LSU. South Carolina lost their final three games of the year for a final record of 6–6.{{Cite web |title=2007 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/south-carolina/2007-schedule.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2007 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2007.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

2013: In 2013, the game came down to a last-second field goal which saw Tennessee score a shocking upset of #9 South Carolina.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee stuns No. 9 South Carolina on last-second FG |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/10/19/tennessee-stuns-no-9-south-carolina-last-second-field-goal/3049051/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} A late decision by South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier to punt rather than attempt a fourth down conversion, allowed Tennessee to get the ball back with just minutes remaining. With 5–1 (3–1 SEC) South Carolina up 21–20, a phenomenal catch by Marquez North put 3–3 (0–2 SEC) Tennessee in field goal range. After running the clock down, Tennessee's Michael Palardy kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. The win marked Tennessee's first major victory under Butch Jones. The loss was detrimental for South Carolina, as the Gamecocks did not lose another game all year. Tennessee struggled, losing their next four games to finish 5–7. With the loss, South Carolina finished second in the SEC East behind Missouri. A win over Tennessee would have put the Gamecocks into the SEC Championship, likely with the chance to play for a spot in the BCS National Championship. The team finished the year fourth in the country, with an 11–2 record and win in the Capital One Bowl.{{Cite web |title=South Carolina at Tennessee Box Score, October 19, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-10-19-tennessee.html |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2013 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/south-carolina/2013-schedule.html |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2013 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2013.html |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2018/10/26/tennessee-football-games-history-sc/6/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=All for Tennessee |language=en-US}}

2014: The 2014 contest featured two struggling teams (4–4 South Carolina and 3–5 Tennessee) in a night came on Columbia. South Carolina built up a 42–28 lead behind the performance of star wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, who threw, caught, and ran for a combined four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee 45–42 South Carolina (Nov 1, 2014) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400548352 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} Trailing by fourteen with only 4:52 remaining, Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs, in his first start of the season, led a stunning comeback, throwing a touchdown with eleven seconds left to force overtime. A thirty-two-yard field goal from Tennessee's Aaron Medley proved the difference. The game was significant for a number of reasons as it helped propel the Vols to their first bowl game since 2010 and their first under second-year head coach Butch Jones. Spurrier, following an 11–2 season in 2013, continued to struggle as South Carolina slumped to a 7–6 record in 2014. After beginning the 2015 season 2–4 Spurrier stepped down.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2018/10/26/tennessee-football-games-history-sc/10/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=All for Tennessee |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Tennessee at South Carolina Box Score, November 1, 2014 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2014-11-01-south-carolina.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

2016: Entering the 2016 game, #18 Tennessee had come off two straight losses to #8 Texas A&M and #1 Alabama but held wins over Florida and Georgia, keeping Tennessee a-top the SEC East. Under first-year head coach Will Muschamp, South Carolina was 3–4, needing a win to boost their chances at bowl-eligibility. While previously being ranked last in the SEC for total offense, 17-year-old South Carolina QB Jake Bentley had a career night with two touchdowns to help upset Tennessee 24–21 after the Vols missed a 58-yard field goal as time expired.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee 21–24 South Carolina (Oct 29, 2016) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400869039 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The game ultimately would cost Tennessee the SEC East and propel South Carolina to their first bowl game under Muschamp.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2018/10/26/tennessee-football-games-history-sc/4/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=All for Tennessee |language=en-US}}

2022: The 2022 contest in Columbia pitted a 6–4 (3–4 SEC) South Carolina team against 9–1 (6–1 SEC) and 5th ranked Tennessee in front of a sell-out night-game crowd.{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2022 |title=South Carolina runs over No. 5 Tennessee 63–38; Hooker hurt |url=https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-tennessee-south-carolina-gamecocks-spencer-rattler-49d9f92da8c7cb9ec5d993402d7cb3e5 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} Tennessee entered the game as a 22.5 point favorite, and were playing for a chance to make the programs's first College Football Playoff.{{Cite web |title=College football's most shocking games of 2022: South Carolina's blowout of Tennessee tops list of stunners |url=https://247sports.com/longformarticle/college-footballs-most-shocking-games-of-2022-south-carolinas-bl-203353481/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en}} Despite having 11th ranked offense in the SEC, South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler had a career night, throwing for 438 yards and six touchdowns, leading the Gamecocks to a 63–38 victory. South Carolina fans stormed the field after the victory, ultimately resulting in a $100,000 fine.{{Cite web |last=Leatherwood |first=Dylan |date=November 20, 2022 |title=USC fined after fans, students storm field |url=https://www.live5news.com/2022/11/20/usc-fined-after-fans-students-storm-field/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=www.live5news.com |language=en}} Ultimately, the Gamecocks would go on to beat #8 Clemson the next week before falling to #21 Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl to finish the year ranked #23. Tennessee would beat Vanderbilt and then #7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl to finish ranked #6.{{Cite web |title=NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll |url=https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}

Source{{Cite web |title=Winsipedia – Tennessee Volunteers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks football series history |url=http://www.winsipedia.com/tennessee/vs/south-carolina |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Winsipedia |language=en}}

{{Sports rivalry series table

| cols = 2 | series_summary = yes | format = standard

| legend_tie_text =

| team1 = South Carolina

| team1style = {{NCAA color cell|South Carolina Gamecocks}}

| team2 = Tennessee

| team2style = {{NCAA color cell|Tennessee Volunteers}}

| October 29, 1903 | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | 24 | Tennessee | 0

| October 21, 1916 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 26 | South Carolina | 0

| November 8, 1919 | Columbia, SC | Tennessee | 6 | South Carolina | 6

| December 7, 1929 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 54 | South Carolina | 0

| September 26, 1942 | Columbia, SC | Tennessee | 0 | South Carolina | 0

| October 9, 1965 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 24 | South Carolina | 3

| October 22, 1966 | Columbia, SC | Tennessee | 29 | South Carolina | 17

| November 8, 1969 | Knoxville, TN | #3 Tennessee | 29 | South Carolina | 14

| November 7, 1970 | Columbia, SC | #8 Tennessee | 20 | South Carolina | 18

| November 6, 1971 | Knoxville, TN | #11 Tennessee | 35 | South Carolina | 6

| October 31, 1992 | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | 24 | #16 Tennessee | 23

| October 30, 1993 | Knoxville, TN | #8 Tennessee | 55 | South Carolina | 3

| October 29, 1994 | Columbia, SC | Tennessee | 31 | South Carolina | 22

| October 28, 1995 | Knoxville, TN | #6 Tennessee | 56 | South Carolina | 21

| November 2, 1996 | Columbia, SC | #6 Tennessee | 31 | South Carolina | 14

| November 1, 1997 | Knoxville, TN | #8 Tennessee | 22 | South Carolina | 7

| October 31, 1998 | Columbia, SC | #3 Tennessee | 49 | South Carolina | 14

| October 30, 1999 | Knoxville, TN | #4 Tennessee | 30 | South Carolina | 7

| October 28, 2000 | Columbia, SC | Tennessee | 17 | #17 South Carolina | 14

| October 27, 2001 | Knoxville, TN | #9 Tennessee | 17 | #12 South Carolina | 10

| November 2, 2002 | Columbia, SC | #25 Tennessee | 18 | South Carolina | 10

| September 27, 2003 | Knoxville, TN | #8 Tennessee | 23 | South Carolina | 20^OT

| October 30, 2004 | Columbia, SC | #12 Tennessee | 43 | South Carolina | 29

| October 29, 2005 | Knoxville, TN | South Carolina | 16 | #23 Tennessee | 15

| October 28, 2006 | Columbia, SC | #8 Tennessee | 31 | South Carolina | 24

| October 27, 2007 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 27 | #15 South Carolina | 24^OT

| November 1, 2008 | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | 27 | Tennessee | 6

| October 31, 2009 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 31 | #21 South Carolina | 13

| October 30, 2010 | Columbia, SC | #17 South Carolina | 38 | Tennessee | 24

| October 29, 2011 | Knoxville, TN | #14 South Carolina | 14 | Tennessee | 3

| October 27, 2012 | Columbia, SC | #17 South Carolina | 38 | Tennessee | 35

| October 19, 2013 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 23 | #11 South Carolina | 21

| November 1, 2014 | Columbia, SC | Tennessee | 45 | South Carolina | 42^OT

| November 7, 2015 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 27 | South Carolina | 24

| October 29, 2016 | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | 24 | #18 Tennessee | 21

| October 14, 2017 | Knoxville, TN | South Carolina | 15 | Tennessee | 9

| October 27, 2018 | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | 27 | Tennessee | 24

| October 26, 2019 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee† | 41 | South Carolina | 21 | win38=none

| September 26, 2020 | Columbia, SC | #16 Tennessee† | 31 | South Carolina | 27 | win39=none

| October 9, 2021 | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee | 45 | South Carolina | 20

| November 19, 2022 | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | 63 | #5 Tennessee | 38

| September 30, 2023 | Knoxville, TN | #21 Tennessee | 41 | South Carolina | 20

| note = †Tennessee vacated the 2019 and 2020 wins due to
recruiting violations under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt.

}}

• List of NCAA college football rivalry games

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Category:College football rivalries in the United States

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