The most important milestone of the college football preseason has rrived, and the Gamecocks are topping the charts. The AP Top 25 rankings are officially out, just two weeks before kickoff of what promises to be another historic season. For the second straight major poll, SEC newcomer, the Texas Longhorns, take the No. 1 spot.
The South Carolina Gamecocks will enter the 2025 football season ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25. It is a strong national vote of confidence for Shane Beamer's program as it chases its first ever College Football Playoff berth. The Gamecocks will enter the season with one of the most dynamic quartebacks in the nation in LaNorris Sellers, along with several veteran and transfer playmakers on both sides of the ball. Still, the Gamecocks will have to overcome the loss of several standouts to the NFL from last season's roster.
South Carolina's schedule leaves very little room for error, especially in the back half of the season. The Gamecocks face a gauntlet of conference matchups, but despite the challenges, expectations in Columbia are high. And the AP voters clearly believe this team has the talent and depth to contend.
AP top 25 preseason college football rankings:
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Texas (25)
2. Penn State (23)
3. Ohio State (11)
4. Clemson (4)
5. Georgia (1)
6. Notre Dame
7. Oregon (1)
8. Alabama
9. LSU
10. Miami
11. Arizona State
12. Illinois
13. South Carolina
14. Michigan
15. Florida
16. SMU
17. Kansas
18. Oklahoma
19. Texas A&M
20. Indiana
21. Ole Miss
22. Iowa State
23. Texas Tech
24. Tennessee
25. Boise State
Other teams receiving votes:
BYU 156, Utah 144, Baylor 132, Louisville 90, Southern Cal 64, Georgia Tech 63, Missouri 33, Tulane 23, Nebraska 23, UNLV 21, Toledo 13, Auburn 10, James Madison 9, Memphis 9, Florida St. 8, Duke 6, Liberty 5, Navy 5, Iowa 5, TCU 4, Pittsburgh 3, Army 2, Colorado 1, Louisiana-Lafayette 1.