By: Travon Grant
The South Carolina Gamecocks have a compelling case to make a push for the College Football Playoff (CFP), despite not being a perennial contender like some of the other top programs. While they aren’t always considered among the elite programs, they have several key factors that could make them a dark horse in any given season, particularly if they find themselves in contention during the final stretch of the season.
Here’s a breakdown of how South Carolina might build a case for the CFP:
1. Strong and Competitive SEC Performance
The Southern Eastern Conference, or SEC is widely regarded as the toughest conference in college football, and South Carolina plays in it. After the SEC eliminated its football divisions for the 2024 season, this year arguably has been its most competitive yet. While the conference still has regarded powerhouses like Georgia and Alabama. Thisyear added the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. While Georgia and Tennessee have often been the dominant powers in the East, South Carolina has shown the ability to compete with the best teams in the conference this year, including an impressive win over top-ranked opponent Texas A&M who were ranked number 10 in the country when the Gamecocks beat them 44-20.
If South Carolina can run through the conference or at least finish with only one or two losses, especially with a strong performance against rivals like Clemson, and Georgia, it gives them a strong case for a playoff spot. A one-loss SEC team, especially from the East, will often get serious consideration if their schedule is strong enough and their losses are competitive.
2. Tough Schedule and Strength of Record
The College Football Playoff selection committee values strength of schedule highly. South Carolina’s annual slate of games against SEC opponents like Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee gives them a robust and competitive schedule. A tough conference schedule that includes these heavyweights, combined with non-conference games against solid teams, could give the Gamecocks a “best of the best” schedule that could propel them into the conversation. This year South Carolina came into the season with a top 20 strength of schedule, coming in at 17
Embed from Getty ImagesAdditionally, if South Carolina finished with a strong record despite these challenges, ending the season at 9-3. it will show that they are one of the few teams in the nation that can survive the grueling SEC grind and still be a contender.
3. Momentum and Hot Finish
The College Football Playoff is often determined by the way teams finish the season. If South Carolina found itself on a hot streak late in this season, with big wins in November they could jump into the playoff picture. The committee has been known to reward teams that peak at the right time, especially when it’s against tough competition. The Gamecocks currently have ended the season with a 6 game winning streak, beating Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Missouri, and their in-state rival Clemson.
A strong finish to the season could be enough to vault South Carolina into the CFP conversation, even if they don’t win the SEC outright.
