In a recent episode of Crain and Cone, hosts Jake Crain, Blain Crain, and David Cone stirred up some early chatter about the 2026 college football season’s biggest upsets. Among their picks, the South Carolina Gamecocks got a lot of attention.
Jake Crain pointed to the November 21 matchup between South Carolina and Georgia as one of his top four upset alerts for the preseason. The conversation didn’t stop there—there was plenty of talk about whether the Gamecocks could also take down their annual rivals, the Clemson Tigers.
South Carolina’s knack for knocking off top-10 teams at home under Shane Beamer gave their predictions some weight. Are these picks bold? Sure. But they’re not exactly pulled out of thin air.
South Carolina vs. Georgia: A Potential Upset in the Making
Jake Crain’s claim that South Carolina could upset Georgia on November 21 definitely raised some eyebrows. The Gamecocks will be at home in Columbia, and that’s where they’ve already toppled three top-10 teams with Shane Beamer at the helm.
The hosts made it clear—South Carolina’s got the talent and the home-field advantage to make this upset possible. Georgia’s never an easy out, but the atmosphere in Columbia can get wild when it matters.
Why This Matchup is Intriguing
The November 21 game has a lot going for it:
- Home-Field Advantage: Playing in Columbia gives the Gamecocks a real edge. That stadium has seen its share of chaos.
- Shane Beamer’s Leadership: Beamer’s teams have already shown they can take down the big dogs.
- Key Players: LaNorris Sellers, who David Cone mentioned, could be a difference-maker here.
David Cone doubled down, saying he fully expected to see South Carolina on everyone’s upset radar. Their recent record against top-10 teams? Not bad at all.
South Carolina vs. Clemson: A Rivalry to Watch
Blain Crain tossed in another hot take, putting the annual rivalry game against Clemson on his list of potential upsets. The Tigers are only favored by three points right now, and Crain thinks South Carolina will take the Palmetto Bowl.
That got the hosts debating. Is it really an upset if the Gamecocks win? The line’s close, and recent history favors South Carolina more than you might guess.
The Context of the Rivalry
This rivalry is one of college football’s classics. It’s got some layers:
- Recent Performance: South Carolina has actually won the last two games in the Upstate. That’s not nothing.
- Current Spread: With just a three-point spread, Vegas is basically shrugging its shoulders.
- Fan Expectations: Gamecock fans probably don’t even see a win as an upset at this point. And honestly, who could blame them?
No matter what you call it, beating Clemson would be huge for South Carolina. If it comes right after a win over Georgia, well, that’s a statement.
Implications for South Carolina’s Season
Wins over both Georgia and Clemson? That would change the whole vibe of South Carolina’s season. It’d boost their standings, sure, but it’d also do wonders for Shane Beamer’s reputation.
What This Means for the Gamecocks
If the Gamecocks pull off both upsets, here’s what could happen:
- Increased National Attention: Suddenly, everyone’s talking about South Carolina.
- Recruitment Boost: High-profile wins? Recruits notice that stuff.
- Enhanced Team Morale: You can bet the locker room would be buzzing after games like those.
Shane Beamer’s leadership and how the team shows up in these big moments could really set the tone for what comes next. College football’s always full of surprises—so who knows?
Concluding Thoughts
Jake Crain, Blain Crain, and David Cone tossed out some bold predictions on *Crain and Cone*—and honestly, it’s made the 2026 college football season feel a lot more interesting for South Carolina fans.
The Gamecocks might just pull off upsets against Georgia and Clemson. Maybe it’s a stretch, but wouldn’t that be something?
If you want to dive deeper or just need more updates about South Carolina football, check out the full article on the On3 website.
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