There are a lot of people who were unhappy about South Carolina not making the College Football Playoff. Shane Beamer was upset and called out the selection committee for being biased toward other teams, the players who were actually playing, and of course the fans.
Several college football analysts even felt like South Carolina should have been in the playoff, but unfortunately, the Gamecocks were snubbed, and they can't dwell on it forever. Instead, South Carolina needs to put their focus on their bowl game as they get ready to take on No. 20 Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31st in Orlando, Florida.
Looking at all the teams that didn't make the playoffs, though, most notably the ones. You're the only one thinking this, either. South Carolina ended the regular season on a six-game win streak and ranked higher than South Carolina; it seems like the Gamecocks are being treated unfairly. Southas are playing their best football of the season.
So when the ESPN College Gameday crew was making their picks for the College Football Playoff games and other notable bowl games, legendary coach and college football analyst had something to say about South Carolina.
"South Carolina is the best team who is not in the playoffs," Corso said when making his pick.
“South Carolina is the best team who is not in the playoffs” - Lee Corso on College GameDay pic.twitter.com/xCO7CrH37b
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) December 21, 2024
Those are some strong words coming from Corso when looking at teams like Alabama and Ole Miss that finished the season ahead of the Gamecocks. However, when comparing resumes and strengths of wins and losses, South Carolina definitely surpasses both the Crimson Tide and the Rebels.
The Gameday crew was unanimous in picking South Carolina to win the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against an Illinois team that made some noise this season as well. However, South Carolina will be without some key players, such as leading pass rushers and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kennard adn Comeback Player of the Year running back Raheim Sanders.
Heading into the 2025 season, South Carolina will need to fill some holes on the team with incoming recruits and transfers from the transfer portal, but to get praise from a legend like Lee Corso is something South Carolina can hang their hat on.