USC Gamecocks Game Today 2026: Dylan Stewart Returns at No. 16 Florida, Kickoff Time, TV Channel, Score Prediction and Tickets

South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart will return from suspension today, Saturday, October 10, 2026, when the Gamecocks visit No. 16 Florida in an SEC East crossover at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network, and Stewart's reinstatement restores the Gamecocks' most disruptive pass rusher for the most important defensive matchup of their 2026 season. Multiple outlets, including Yahoo Sports, The State and Bleacher Report, reported this week that the former five-star edge would be active after serving a multi-game suspension.

What time is the USC Gamecocks game today and what channel is it on?

The South Carolina at Florida game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) today, Saturday, October 10, 2026, and airs nationally on SEC Network. Streaming is available through ESPN.com, the ESPN app and SEC Network+ with a valid cable or streaming provider login, while out-of-market viewers can use fuboTV, Sling TV or YouTube TV. According to ESPN's 2026 SEC television inventory, the 3:30 p.m. window remains the conference's second-most-watched slot behind the 7:30 p.m. ABC primetime game, which historically draws 4 to 5 million viewers per week.

Is Dylan Stewart playing today for South Carolina?

Yes. Dylan Stewart is expected to play today at Florida after returning from suspension, per reports from Yahoo Sports and The State. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound edge rusher had been sidelined following a team-issued suspension, and his return gives South Carolina its top sack threat back for a Florida offense that has struggled with pressure in 2026. Stewart recorded double-digit tackles for loss as a true freshman in 2025 and entered 2026 on multiple preseason All-SEC lists, including the coaches' second team.

USC Gamecocks 2026 schedule: where does the Florida game fit?

The Florida game is South Carolina's seventh contest of the 2026 season and its fourth SEC matchup. The Gamecocks opened 2026 with a non-conference slate before diving into a brutal October stretch that includes Florida, Texas A&M and a road trip to Oklahoma. Below is the full 2026 South Carolina football schedule with results and kickoff windows.

What is the score prediction for South Carolina vs. Florida today?

Florida enters as a slight home favorite, but Stewart's return swings the matchup toward a low-scoring, one-possession game. The Gators are 5-1 in 2026 and ranked No. 16 in both the AP and Coaches polls, while South Carolina sits at 3-3 after three straight SEC losses. With Stewart back, the Gamecocks' pass rush should generate pressure on Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, who has been sacked 14 times in 2026, per SEC statistical releases. Prediction: Florida 24, South Carolina 20, with the Gamecocks covering the spread if Stewart plays a full snap count.

How much do USC Gamecocks football tickets cost for today's game?

Tickets for South Carolina at Florida today start around $45 to $60 on secondary markets such as StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats, according to listings checked on Saturday morning. Lower-level sideline seats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium are priced between $120 and $300, while club-level and suite inventory exceeds $500. Student tickets sold out within 24 hours of release, and Florida's official athletics site listed fewer than 800 public tickets remaining as of Friday evening.

What are the SEC and College Football Playoff stakes for South Carolina in 2026?

A win at Florida would keep South Carolina mathematically alive in the SEC East race and preserve a path to a bowl game, while a loss drops the Gamecocks to 3-4 and puts head coach Shane Beamer under significant pressure. Under the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format, a three-loss SEC team can still earn an at-large bid, but a fourth loss in October would effectively eliminate South Carolina from contention. According to ESPN's Football Power Index (2026), the Gamecocks entered the week with a 6.4 percent chance to reach the CFP and a 58 percent chance to finish bowl-eligible.

How can fans watch or stream the USC Gamecocks game today?

Fans can watch South Carolina at Florida today on SEC Network, stream on the ESPN app or ESPN.com with a TV provider login, or use live TV streaming services including fuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Radio coverage is available on the Gamecock Sports Network flagship 107.5 The Game in Columbia and via the official South Carolina athletics app. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET, with pregame coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

What does Dylan Stewart's return mean for the Gamecocks' defense?

Dylan Stewart's return transforms South Carolina's pass rush from average to elite. In 2025, Stewart logged 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a true freshman, earning Freshman All-America honors from multiple outlets. Without him in 2026, the Gamecocks recorded just 9 sacks in six games, ranking 12th in the SEC. With Stewart back, defensive coordinator Clayton White can return to his preferred four-man front with aggressive edge pressure, which should help a secondary that has allowed 245 passing yards per game this season, per SEC stats.

Who are the key players to watch in South Carolina vs. Florida today?

Key players to watch include South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, edge rusher Dylan Stewart and running back Rocket Sanders, plus Florida quarterback DJ Lagway and wide receiver Eugene Wilson III. Sellers has thrown for 1,412 yards with 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 2026, while Sanders has rushed for 612 yards and 6 scores. Lagway has accounted for 1,650 total yards and 14 touchdowns for the Gators, and Wilson leads Florida with 38 receptions for 542 yards.

What is the all-time series record between South Carolina and Florida?

Florida leads the all-time series against South Carolina 30-11-3 entering today's game. The Gators have won three of the last five meetings, including a 38-24 victory in Columbia in 2025. South Carolina's most recent win in Gainesville came in 2014, a 23-20 overtime thriller, and the Gamecocks have not won at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since.

"Dylan Stewart is one of the most disruptive defensive players in the country, and getting him back changes the math for our entire defense," South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said earlier this week, per The State.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the USC Gamecocks game start today?

The South Carolina at Florida game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET today, Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.

What channel is the USC Gamecocks game on today?

The game airs on SEC Network, with streaming available on the ESPN app, ESPN.com and live TV services including fuboTV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Is Dylan Stewart playing today for South Carolina?

Yes. Dylan Stewart is expected to return from suspension and play today at Florida, according to reports from Yahoo Sports, The State and Bleacher Report.

What is the score prediction for South Carolina vs. Florida?

Prediction: Florida 24, South Carolina 20. The Gators are favored at home, but Stewart's return should keep the Gamecocks within one score.

How can I buy USC Gamecocks football tickets for today's game?

Tickets are available on StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats starting around $45 to $60, with premium seating above $120. Florida's official athletics site listed limited inventory as of Friday evening.

Where can I find the full USC Gamecocks football schedule for 2026?

The full 2026 South Carolina football schedule is available on GamecocksOnline.com and includes SEC matchups against Florida, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Clemson and Tennessee.