Where ESPN's FPI ranks South Carolina heading into week two

Following a 24-11 win over Virginia Tech, South Carolina surged into the top 10 of the AP poll this week. The Gamecocks also occupy the No. 11 spot in the USA Today coaches poll.

Shane Beamer’s team also saw an improvement in ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) power rankings.

As of this writing on Thursday evening, South Carolina is No. 10 overall in the FPI. That marks a one-spot jump from last week and a five-spot improvement from the preseason. The Gamecocks now sit in the No. 5 spot in the SEC. USC jumped both Alabama and Texas A&M after week one.

For those unfamiliar, the FPI is based on a number of factors, perhaps most notably, efficiency. Because most teams have only played one game so far in 2025, much of this number is a projection. Once more games are played, the FPI will better combine on-field results and rest-of-season projections. ESPN defines the FPI as “a power rating that tracks each team’s strength relative to an average FBS squad. Teams are rated on offense, defense, and special teams, with the values representing points per game.”

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South Carolina’s No. 10 FPI ranking comes along with an overall power rating of 15.9. That is up from 15.2 prior to the win over the Hokies.

That rating seemingly defies ESPN’s own metric analysis of the Gamecocks. The updated FPI rates USC’s offense as the No. 38 unit in the country. Defensively, South Carolina is only slightly better at No. 33. Both of those numbers are lower than the FPI’s preseason projection. The special teams in garnet and black, thanks in large part to a Vicari Swain punt return touchdown, is ahead of the preseason prognostication but still sits at No. 30 across college football.

Carolina’s updated FPI projected win-loss record is 8.4-3.7. The ‘Cocks also hold a 98.4% chance of reaching bowl eligibility and a 42.6% shot of making the College Football Playoff. The team’s current FPI odds of winning a National Championship sit at 2.7%. The FPI gives South Carolina a 4.3% chance of winning the Southeastern Conference, as well.

With those numbers and the 10th-toughest remaining strength of schedule in America, the FPI clearly believes South Carolina will improve those efficiency numbers this season.

That improvement could start on Saturday. Williams-Brice Stadium will play host to an in-state matchup between the Gamecocks and the South Carolina State Bulldogs. The game will not be on national television but will stream on ESPN+. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. USC announced a sellout earlier this week.

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