South Carolina bowl projections, Week 10: Now we can talk about it

It feels good to be talking about a bowl game, doesn’t it? Sure, it doesn’t have the same ring to it as a College Football Playoff bid, but let’s take it one step at a time for now, shall we?

Here’s where the Gamecocks are projected to play in December, provided they get their sixth win of the season (presumably against Western Carolina, but it would be pretty nice to get it at Florida, to be honest):

SB Nation: Music City Bowl vs. Indiana (B1G)

This would be the second time these two teams have met. The first time was in the 1988 postseason - the Liberty Bowl, in fact - as Indiana defeated Todd Ellis and the Gamecocks by a 34-10 count. (Notable: the Gamecocks were ranked as high as eighth in this particular season until they lost four of their last six, a run that started with a 34-0 loss at Georgia Tech.)

Bleacher Report: AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl vs. Baylor (Big 12)

Despite the fact that the Bears absolutely embarrassed themselves at home against TCU, I absolutely hate this matchup and think that it favors Baylor in every form and fashion. The Bears and Gamecocks actually haven’t faced each other since October 2, 1976, when Baylor clipped Carolina 18-17 in Waco.

Campus Insiders: Birmingham Bowl vs. Houston (The American)

I mean, do I really need to go into why this matchup would be significant? By the way, the last time these two teams met was in the 2006 Liberty Bowl in Memphis, a 44-36 Gamecocks win.

CBS Sports: AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl vs. TCU (Big 12)

If you think the Gamecocks have seen the last of Kenny Hill, Jerry Palm doesn’t think so. He has Carolina in the Texas Bowl as well, but against the team that completely walloped Baylor yesterday. Fun fact: South Carolina and TCU have never played each other in football!