What ESPN FPI thinks about South Carolina football after annihilating Kentucky

What a difference a week makes. Half of the South Carolina football fanbase was in panic mode just a few days ago as the Gamecocks' most recent game had been a 23-19 win over Old Dominion in which the team needed two touchdowns set up by strip sacks inside the 10-yard line in order to exit Williams-Brice Stadium with the victory.

This Saturday, though, Shane Beamer's team dismantled the rival Kentucky Wildcats 31-6 on their own field, and the Gamecock defense proved that it has a chance to be one of the SEC's best in 2024.

Opinions on the South Carolina football team, both local and national, drastically shifted on Saturday as USC earned some much-needed respect with their convincing win.

ESPN's FPI (Football Power Index) projection model was one of the harshest critics of the Gamecocks following week 1. The Gamecocks slid down to 48th in the immediate aftermath of the Old Dominion game and then down into the 60s before slotting into the #49 spot in the pre-week 2 rankings.

The projection model has adjusted majorly since Saturday's win over the Wildcats. Now sitting tied for 32nd in the country in the updated FPI, South Carolina is one ahead of their preseason spot and is the 12th team from the SEC in the FPI.

Based on these latest projections, USC is predicted to win 6.7 games this season and has a 78% chance to reach the 6-win threshold needed for bowl eligibility. The team's College Football Playoff chances are at a season-high of 6.7%, and for the first time all year, the FPI gives the Gamecocks a chance to win the National Championship (a 0.1% chance, but still a chance).

No matter what this weekend's outcome against the LSU Tigers (kickoff is set for Noon ET on ABC and ESPN+ and the ESPN app; College GameDay will begin at 9:00 AM ET on ESPN, ESPNU, and the ESPN app), these numbers will be changing again soon. But if the Gamecocks are going to have a season worth remembering, it starts with a win over the Bayou Bengals at Williams-Brice Stadium.