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The CFP Committee sends clear message to South Carolina after latest poll

The Gamecocks move up four spots in the latest ranking
ByTim Cox
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Oct 31, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. (3) catches a pass past Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Omarion Robinson (2) and scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Oct 31, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. (3) catches a pass past Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Omarion Robinson (2) and scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Is Sweet Seventeen a thing? Because if not, it sure is now! In the second edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, the Gamecocks moved up four spots to 17. After beating Texas A&M to extend their current win streak to four, the Gamecocks' playoff hopes have continued to increase. South Carolina sits just behind Oregon (16) as the other three loss teams.

After beating A&M, the general vibe was that South Carolina would move up in the rankings, simply by the nature of winning. But the question remained: by how much? Breaking into the top 20 would have been crucial, so to jump four spots and sit above the other USC is remarkable. The committee is giving Kudos to the Gamecocks’ performance last week, which saw heroics by LaNorris Sellers and a strong defensive effort.

The message to South Carolina

Unlike the first edition of the rankings, it looks like the CFP Committee is sending a clear message to South Carolina: just win. It didn’t matter that South Carolina beat an unranked Texas A&M team by one possession; what mattered was that they won. And the committee rewarded them as such.

The committee seems to be looking at the body of work for the Gamecocks, something that I didn't see coming. The losses against Kentucky and a fully healthy Mississippi State didn’t hold South Carolina back from being ranked initially. And I believe that the totality of the season, highlighted by a four-game SEC win streak, has bolstered the Gamecocks’ resume. Additionally, the star power of LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart gives the Gamecocks a higher profile and name recognition than in years past.

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So, let’s keep it up y'all.

The path ahead

If we’re to seriously contemplate how the Gamecocks get into the Playoff, the most critical factor was just mentioned -- win. The Gamecocks have to win out; otherwise, all else is moot.

Aside from that, South Carolina will still need some help. I have a hard time believing that the committee would leapfrog a three-loss team into the playoffs, even if that team is red-hot (which, of course, is exactly why a playoff exists).

Keep an eye on the Big 12. Houston (14) and Texas Tech (12) are two teams that I could see dropping like bricks if they suffer another loss. Although both of their spots would leave the Gamecocks still on the outside, being in either of those positions going into the last week of the year would put South Carolina right in striking position to end the year where they want to be.

The next three weeks are can't miss for anyone who is remotely invested in the South Carolina football program. One game at a time, but it's going to be fun.

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