If you just look at the record books, LSU vs South Carolina football looks like a total mismatch. The Tigers have historically dominated the series with a lopsided 20-2-1 record. But honestly, if you watched the 2024 slugfest in Columbia or the 2025 slugfest in Death Valley, you'd know those numbers are basically lying to you.
College football is weird like that.
The Gamecocks haven't actually beaten LSU since 1994. That was an 18-17 heartbreaker in Baton Rouge back when Jerry DiNardo was still roaming the sidelines for the Tigers. Since then? It’s been nine straight wins for LSU. But the scores don't tell the full story of the absolute chaos that usually breaks out when these two teams get together.
The 2024 Heartbreaker: Sandstorm, Sacks, and Survival
Last year’s game in Columbia was probably one of the most stressful three-and-a-half hours of Brian Kelly’s life. College GameDay was in town. Williams-Brice Stadium was vibrating. It was the kind of atmosphere that makes even seasoned vets jump offside.
And South Carolina came out swinging.
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By the 18-minute mark, the Gamecocks were up 17-0. LaNorris Sellers looked like a superstar in the making, and the LSU defense was chasing shadows. But LSU has this annoying habit of refusing to die. They clawed back, largely on the back of freshman Caden Durham, who basically introduced himself to the national stage with two rushing touchdowns and nearly 100 yards on the ground.
The ending was pure, unadulterated college football nonsense. LSU took a 36-33 lead with just 1:12 left on a short Josh Williams touchdown run. South Carolina marched right back down the field. Alex Herrera lined up for a 49-yard field goal to force overtime as time expired.
Wide right.
LSU escaped. South Carolina fans were left staring at the sky. That’s the "vibe" of this series—South Carolina plays well enough to win, but LSU finds a way to ruin their weekend at the very last second.
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2025: A Homecoming Reality Check in Baton Rouge
Fast forward to the 2025 rematch on October 11. Different year, same drama, though it was a bit more of a defensive grind. LSU was ranked No. 11 and came in as the favorite, but they played like a team that had stayed up too late.
Garrett Nussmeier threw for 254 yards and two scores, but he also threw two picks. The Tigers turned the ball over three times total. Usually, if you lose the turnover battle and the time of possession in the SEC, you're toast. Somehow, Brian Kelly’s squad won 20-10 anyway.
The real story of that game was Trey’Dez Green. The 6-foot-7 tight end is a literal mismatch nightmare. He finished with 119 yards and a touchdown, looking more like a basketball player out-jumping children than a football player. Shane Beamer admitted after the game he was "sick to his stomach" because his Gamecocks outplayed LSU in several categories but couldn't punch it in when it mattered.
South Carolina drove into LSU territory six times. They came away with 10 points. That’s just tough.
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LSU vs South Carolina: By the Numbers
While I hate looking at boring spreadsheets, it's kinda necessary to see the gap between the two programs.
- All-time series: LSU leads 20-2-1
- Last South Carolina win: 1994 (18-17)
- Last meeting (2025): LSU 20, South Carolina 10
- Longest winning streak: LSU (9 games, current)
- Total points scored in 2024: 69 (A total shootout)
The "Death Valley" Advantage
It's no secret that playing in Tiger Stadium is a nightmare for visitors. In the 2025 game, over 101,000 fans showed up for homecoming. When South Carolina tries to run their offense in that noise, things break. In the last game, LaNorris Sellers took five sacks and threw a crucial interception to Tamarcus Cooley.
You can tell Shane Beamer has the program heading in the right direction—they’re recruiting better and the defense is legitimately scary—but they haven't quite figured out how to get over the LSU hump. It’s a psychological barrier at this point.
What's Next for Both Programs?
If you're a fan of either team, you should probably keep an eye on these specific developments:
- LSU's Tight End Usage: After Trey’Dez Green’s breakout, expect him to be the focal point of the offense. If you’re betting on LSU games, "Green anytime TD" is basically a lock.
- Sellers' Growth: LaNorris Sellers is a playmaker, but he struggled with consistency in 2025. His development is the difference between South Carolina being a 7-win team and a 10-win team.
- Defensive Identity: LSU’s defense under Brian Kelly is finally starting to look like the LSU defenses of old. They held the Gamecocks to 317 total yards in the most recent matchup.
If these two teams are scheduled to play again soon, don't look at the point spread and assume it's a blowout. History says LSU will win, but history also says it’s going to be a wild, heart-pounding mess until the final whistle blows.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, you should track the weekly SEC injury reports, especially for LSU’s offensive line, which struggled at times with the Gamecocks' pass rush. Also, keep an eye on the transfer portal—both Kelly and Beamer have been aggressive there to plug holes in the secondary.