The buzz surrounding the South Carolina Gamecocks as we head into the 2025 season just got another major boost. Kelly Ford of KFord Ratings recently released his preseason Watchability Scores, and South Carolina came in at No. 1 in the entire country. The Gamecocks earned a total score of 8.54, edging out Florida at 8.43, LSU at 8.31, and Texas A&M at 8.25. The metric used in the KFord Ratings combine the team's projected quality and the overall competitiveness of the team schedule to determine national appeal. That means that the South Carolina Gamecocks aren't just good, they are compelling.
Regular Season average Watchability Score* for all 136 FBS teams, per my v1 preseason power ratings!
— Kelley Ford (@KFordRatings) June 30, 2025
*defined in the graphic’s fine print pic.twitter.com/YJybSYUT3V
With an electric quarterback leading the charge once again this season, combined with exlosive playmakers like Nyck Harbor and Dylan Stewart, South Carolina is stacked with talent on both sides of the ball. Throw in the gauntlet SEC schedule they are facing in 2025, combined with Shane Beamers energetic leadership, and it's no wonder that the Gamecocks are at the top of the nation's must-watch list.
South Carolina finished ahead of bluebloods of college football like Alabama Georgia, Texas, and even Notre Dame. In fact, the SEC dominated in the rankings with 13 of the top 30 most watchable teams, but it is the Gamecocks who are leading the charge. With South Carolina's combination of rising talent, competitive scheduling, and coaching excellence, the Gamecocks will be a focal point for this season.
With the spotlight firmly on Columbia, the Gamecocks have an opportunity not just to entertain, but to compete at the highest level.