While the Gamecocks were getting pummeled by Clemson, the Vanderbilt Commodores were facing a Tennessee team that was, by all accounts, probably supposed to win. Didn’t happen. Instead, the ‘Dores turned the tables in an upset, got to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2013, and basically sealed the Gamecocks’ destination in a few weeks. Interestingly enough, getting embarrassed on the road by your rival doesn’t really endear you to the bowl selection committee.
As a result, it’s looking a lot like South Carolina is headed to the Bayou. Both Brett McMurphy and Mark Schlabach at ESPN, along with Jerry Palm at CBS Sports, College Football News, Brad Crawford at 247Sports, and Bryan Fischer at College Football Talk/NBC Sports all have the Gamecocks in the Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana.