Author's Note: The winnability rating is not meant to represent the actual probability of South Carolina winning each game. It's intended to measure how possible it is for the team to win. For example, a rating of 10 wouldn't mean that there's no way the team could lose; however, it would mean that the Gamecocks are heavily favored, and that there's no reason to believe they can't win.
Sept. 1 at Vanderbilt
Behind Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, Vanderbilt may have the best chance of bowl eligibility among SEC East teams this season. Junior running back Ralph Webb is the unquestioned leader for the Commodore offense, and Vanderbilt has a strong defense as well. Opening with a conference opponent on the road is far from ideal from an inexperienced Gamecock group coming off a 3-9 campaign, but there is plenty of uncertainty in Nashville as well. The energy Will Muschamp has brought to the Gamecocks and the hunger in this team after last season gives the visitors a slight edge.
Winnability: 7 out of 10
Sept. 10 at Mississippi State
The Gamecocks will take on another conference opponent away from home, and yet again, it's a program experiencing some turnover. The Bulldogs have to move on from the Dak Prescott era, after the dual-threat quarterback brought the team to national relevancy. Mississippi State has offensive weapons in Fred Ross and Brandon Holloway, but the defense could struggle. South Carolina will likely need to rely on building momentum against the Commodores to grab a win in Starkville.
Winnability: 7 out of 10
Sept. 17 vs. East Carolina
Muschamp's home debut at Williams-Brice comes against a non-Power-5 East Carolina team that simply isn't what it was a few years ago. The Pirates have struggled in their first two seasons in the AAC, and there's no reason to think that this season will be any different with the departure of their head coach and many playmakers on offense. Regardless of what happens in the first two games, this is an absolute must-win for the Gamecocks, and Muschamp will make sure it's treated as such.
Winnability: 9 out of 10
Sept. 24 at Kentucky
The final of the Gamecocks' three SEC road opponents in the opening month, Kentucky is in a similar situation to the first two. The Wildcats aren't expected to rise toward the top of the conference this season, and with inexperience at quarterback and holes on the defense, Mark Stoops' squad certainly has its weaknesses. On the other hand, Jojo Kemp and Stanley "Boom" Williams make up one of the better backfield duos in the country, and Kentucky has beaten the Gamecocks in each of the last two seasons. It's another winnable game for South Carolina, depending on how well the offense is gelling by this point.
Winnability: 6 out of 10
Oct. 1 vs. Texas A&M
With October comes the start of a five-game homestand, beginning with the Aggies. Despite some off-field issues and an abundance of transfers, Texas A&M should field a strong team this season, led by Oklahoma transfer quarterback Trevor Knight, the 2014 Sugar Bowl MVP. The Aggies return multiple talented receivers, and the defense is likely the strongest it's been under Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin's teams have shown the ability to underperform at times, but they should come to Columbia as significant favorites.
Winnability: 3 out of 10
Oct. 8 vs. Georgia
By the time the Bulldogs get to Columbia, fans could be praising Kirby Smart for taking out solid competition on the way to a 5-0 start, Nick Chubb could be a Heisman candidate and Jacob Eason could be living up to all the hype. Or Georgia could be 2-3, and fans could be trying to mount Smart's head over their fireplaces. Either seems equally likely. The Bulldogs certainly have more talent than the Gamecocks, and South Carolina might be better off if its division rival comes in hot and underestimates the Gamecocks rather than having lost to Ole Miss or Tennessee in the prior two weeks.
Winnability: 3 out of 10
Oct. 22 vs. Massachusetts
If South Carolina was to win just one game this season, you'd think it would be this one. The Minutemen are coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons, and the Gamecocks will have two weeks to prepare. By this point, most if not all position battles should have been sorted out, and there's really no reason to believe this game should give South Carolina any serious trouble.
Winnability: 10 out of 10
Oct. 29 vs. Tennessee
A last-minute red-zone fumble cost the Gamecocks a potential upset win over the Volunteers last season, and one can argue that South Carolina will be improved in 2016. Still, Tennessee has legitimate talent, particularly in quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd. The Vols come to Columbia after a bye, and they'll play Tennessee Tech the following week, so all of the focus will be on the Gamecocks. South Carolina is capable of pulling an upset in 2016, but this one isn't too likely.
Winnability: 2 out of 10
Nov. 5 vs. Missouri
The Tigers should have a strong defense yet again, but there's no reason to believe the offense will be any better, which is terrible news for Missouri fans. The Tigers have a new coaching staff and some returners on offense, but that's still the same offense that failed to score a touchdown for the majority of October during the 2015 season. The wheels easily could have fallen off for either team, or maybe both teams by the time this game is played.
Winnability: 7 out of 10
Nov. 12 at Florida
Muschamp's return to Gainesville will dominate the headlines, which will keep people from talking about the numerous similarities between the Gators and Gamecocks. Florida is relatively unproven on offense as well, and the Gators were dismal down the stretch last season despite winning the SEC East crown. Still, the Gators have loads of talent on the defensive side, particularly in linebacker Jarrad Davis and defensive back Jalen Tabor. Even with South Carolina's players trying to elevate their game for their coach, Florida's stacked defense will be tough to overcome.
Winnability: 4 out of 10
Nov. 19 vs. Western Carolina
The Catamounts are attempting to replace one of the best players in school history in quarterback Troy Mitchell, so it's safe to assume the offense and the team itself will likely take a step back in 2016. This is a trap game ahead of South Carolina's biggest rivalry (we saw how that turned out last year), and Western Carolina won seven games last season. The Gamecocks should be heavy favorites, but let's not consider this an absolute lock either.
Winnability: 8 out of 10
Nov. 26 at Clemson
The Tigers are undoubtedly one of the nation's best teams, and the offense features the dynamic duo of quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman, not to mention the playmakers on the outside. The defense lost three of its biggest playmakers, but Clemson seems to have plenty of talent ready to fill the gaps. The fact that anything can happen in a rivalry game gives the Gamecocks the slightest of chances.
Winnability: 1 out of 10