How far ESPN's Football Power Index dropped South Carolina following another loss

This weekend, South Carolina football dropped to 3-4 overall and 1-4 in SEC play following a home loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. The team’s fourth loss in five games resulted in ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) ranking dropping the Gamecocks.

With the defeat, Shane Beamer’s team moved down to No. 39 this week. That marks a nine-spot dip from last week. Being 39th also means South Carolina is 14th in the Southeastern Conference. Of all the teams on USC’s 2025 schedule, only the Ketucky Wildcats (51), Virginia Tech Hokies (70), and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (117) hold lower spots in the ranking. (South Carolina State is an FCS team, so they do not have an FPI rating).

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With the drop in FPI standing, South Carolina also fell in its efficiency metrics.

On offense, the Gamecocks dropped from No. 76 nationally to No. 89. Carolina failed to reach 350 yards of offense for the seventh time in seven tries this season. In fact, Mike Shula’s group didn’t even log 250 yards, as the final box score read read 224 next to the team’s total offense statistic. That included an anemic 54 yards rushing.

Defensively, Clayton White’s group had a tough day, too. Only the Missouri debacle earlier this season resulted in a higher rushing total against the Gamecocks. For the first time all season, White’s group failed to force a turnover, as well. When the dust settled, South Carolina fell from No. 27 in FPI’s defensive efficiency rankings to No. 31.

Joe DeCamillis’ special teams units were the only phase of the game that didn’t experience an FPI drop. South Carolina remains at No. 9 this week, buyoed by some really nice punt returns from Vicari Swain and a solid day punting from Mason Love and kicking off from Max Kelley.

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For the first time this season, South Carolina has a 0% chance of making the College Football Playoff, according to the FPI.

The bad news is there for all of the Gamecocks’ postseason chances. The odds of reaching the traditional bowl-eligibility threshold of six wins have dipped to a season-low 29.4%, as well. Along with that, the FPI predicts a 5.1-6.9 final record. The model gives South Carolina a small possibility of pulling off at least one upset down the stretch, but the projection is lower on that chance than any other point in the season.

The FPI views Carolina as an underdog in its next three games. The Gamecocks will host Alabama at Williams-Brice Stadium next weekend before hitting the road for games against Ole Miss and Texas A&M. Right now, the model lists South Carolina as a slight favorite over the rival Clemson Tigers in the season finale.

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With one of the most difficult schedules in college football, USC plays three top-11 FPI teams in a row. Alabama is No. 3, Ole Miss is No. 11, and Texas A&M is No. 10. The Crimson Tide, Rebels, and Aggies have combined for two losses this fall. Following that stretch, the Gamecocks will play Coastal Carolina (No. 117) and Clemson (No. 38).

This weekend’s Homecoming matchup with Alabama will see the FPI’s No. 10 offense, No. 13 defense, and No. 86 special teams come into Williams-Brice Stadium.

Saturday’s game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ABC will carry the national broadcast, while the ESPN app and ESPN+ will stream the on-field action.

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