South Carolina makes top 12 in PFF's way-too-early 2025 rankings
Expectations surrounding the South Carolina football program are high. Following a 9-win season in which the Gamecocks just missed the College Football Playoff, Shane Beamer’s team has been a popular pick by sports pundits to challenge for a spot in the Playoff field in 2025.
This week, Pro Football Focus’ college division released their way-too-early rankings for next season, and the outlet is high on South Carolina’s chances at another strong showing next fall.
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Just days after the National Championship, PFF considers the Gamecocks the 12th-best team in the land. As is life in the loaded SEC, though, that puts South Carolina 7th in the conference. Despite the top-12 ranking, the College Football Playoff would not include USC in this hypothetical scenario barring CFP rule changes. Neither the Big 12 champion nor the Group of 5 champion rank inside the top 12, meaning their status as auto-bid teams would have them jump No. 12 South Carolina and No. 11 LSU.
PFF’s Max Chadwick writes in the article that the Gamecocks’ strong ranking stems from the team’s returning talent. He specifically mentions quarterback LaNorris Sellers, Dylan Stewart, and Jalon Kilgore. He also believes South Carolina will have a chance to “make some serious noise.”
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Next season, the Gamecocks will play six teams in PFF’s way-too-early top 25. Carolina will face off against the Clemson Tigers (No. 6), Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 8), Texas A&M Aggies (No. 10), LSU Tigers (No. 11), Ole Miss Rebels (No. 19), and Missouri Tigers (No. 22). Four of those will be road contests.
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South Carolina’s road to College Football Playoff contention will begin on August 31st against Virginia Tech. The Gamecocks and Hokies will meet up in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
