The Gamecocks competed as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as part of its East Division.

The team was led by head coach Steve Spurrier, who was in his eleventh year before his resignation on October 12, 2015, after a 2–4 start.

The Gamecocks hosted SEC foes Florida, Kentucky, LSU, and Vanderbilt, and traveled to Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

They were set to host LSU at home but the contest was relocated to Baton Rouge as a consequence of severe flooding in Columbia, South Carolina.

[11] ‡ As part of their penalty for NCAA violations, Missouri has retroactively vacated its 2015 victory over South Carolina.