Possessing its highest preseason ranking since 2014, South Carolina delivered in its neutral-site season opener last Sunday.

The Gamecocks scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to step away from Virginia Tech 24-11 in Atlanta.

No. 10 South Carolina (1-0) carries its first top-10 ranking in 11 years into its home opener vs. in-state FCS foe South Carolina State (1-0) Saturday in Columbia, S.C.

There were some serious questions about USC's defense entering the 2025 season after the team lost SEC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kennard (11.5 sacks in 2024) and standout defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, one of their five top tacklers. That 2024 unit ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense.

The first test was passed with flying colors. While the H

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