The tradition is one common around SEC football: Spend the game before rivalry week beating up on an FCS or small-conference opponent.
South Carolina has done plenty of that for most of the past decade, getting in tune-ups before Clemson. That will change next season.
The future schedules section of the team’s media guide lists a game against FCS Charleston Southern, previously scheduled for that No. 23 weekend, as moved to Sept. 7. With a neutral site opener against North Carolina, and a Nov. 9 game against Appalachian State, it means USC will almost assuredly close the season with three consecutive weeks of power conference opponents (or two with a bye).