re: Anyone ever been to a South Carolina game?

The fair is 14th -25th according website so will not coincide exactly with the game (10th).
Went in 08 for double duty when Saints played @ Carolina the Sunday and we stayed in Charlotte, drove to game Sat. morning then back after game.
Yes, was a little different scenario since stadium is a few miles off campus near industrial area and the fair was active then which kind of made surreal type atmosphere (was nite game) and found parking for $20 I think right off the main street and then walk around fair to stadium about 1/2 mile or so. Did not see much tailgating where we were but there is a cool train around the back where they have special parties. The visitor section is in a pretty high upper deck as TS new section and a pretty good hike uphill to get to but just as all the visitors areas I guess. I would stop on campus first and take in the sites there and eat there, pretty nice looking campus. I didn't find the fans overly friendly to us (especially since we beat them) and traffic was a bitch after but still interesting if never been.
BTW, good thing for that game since S Smith, J the snake & co. waxed Saints the next day

How is the bar scene in Columbia ?

Nope always wanted to and planning on going this year

Went the last time we played there. 2008? It was the game where the ref helped us with interference on the goal line.

Did a couples thing. Stayed in Charleston. Fun trip, but very little time was spent in Columbia.

Hope y'all enjoy the trip. We've completely redone the area surrounding the stadium in the past couple years and you won't recognize it from '08. Basically a whole new gameday experience.

I tailgate with a big group of recent grads in the Morrison Memorial grass lot (near the corner of George Rogers and Shop Rd.) and would welcome anyone who wants to roll through. Should be the case pretty much wherever you end up.

Definitely do Charleston if you've never been. Columbia has nicer bar/restaurant areas now but will never compare.

Some pics of the new Gamecock Park that replaced old buildings directly accross from the stadium and the new plaza (almost done) that is replacing the asphalt parking lot around the stadium:

I just got back from Columbia yesterday. I didn't make it to stadium ofcourse but the city seemed like it would be a great college football atmosphere.