COLUMBIA — After a 5-7 season for South Carolina football last year, coach Shane Beamer is trying to return the Gamecocks to a winning record in 2024.

It might be difficult for South Carolina with a new quarterback, key players gone to the NFL or transfer portal and an offensive coordinator in his second season.

To qualify for a bowl game, the Gamecocks need six wins. Here are the most likely wins on South Carolina's 2024 schedule.

South Carolina vs Old Dominion, Aug. 31

Starting off strong with a win on home field is absolutely necessary. It will be the first real test for new quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who is replacing two-year starter Spencer Rattler. If the Gamecocks want to ease fans' worries, a win to start the season is a good place to begin.

South Carolina at Kentucky, Sept. 7

The Gamecocks have the chance to get an early win in SEC play against the Wildcats. The Gamecocks have won the last two years and will need to win this one on the road.

South Carolina vs Akron, Sept. 21

The Gamecocks' home game against Akron is the calm before the storm. After this game, South Carolina faces Ole Miss at home then travels to Alabama and Oklahoma, a three-week nightmare. South Carolina needs a win before the schedule gets really difficult.

South Carolina at Vanderbilt, Nov. 9

The stakes of the game against the Commodores isn't entirely because of the skill level of Vanderbilt football but rather the timing of the game as well. With a brand new quarterback and a lot of offense holes to fill, it's likely the Gamecocks dabble with some early growing pains.

By November, the room for excuses shrink and late season wins like a road game in Nashville fall into the must-win category.

South Carolina vs Wofford, Nov. 23

The placement of this matchup sets the Gamecocks up for a late season morale boost but only if they take advantage of the golden opportunity in the right way.

South Carolina at Clemson, Nov. 30

Shane Beamer likely can't lose to the Tigers for the second year in a row and make a bowl game. Clemson took the win in Columbia to end the Gamecocks' 2023 season. The Gamecocks have one chance to end the regular season on a high note, no matter how the rest of 2024 goes and there's no better way for South Carolina than a statement win over its biggest rival. It's a chance for Sellers and the Gamecocks to prove they can handle high pressure games.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football 2024 schedule: Must-win games include Clemson