The 1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina as an independent during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Jim Carlen, the Gamecocks compiled a record of 8–4. South Carolina was invited to the Gator Bowl, where they lost to Pittsburgh, 37–3. Gamecocks running back George Rogers won the Heisman Trophy.