When South Carolina opened the season against Kent State, the Gamecocks had a chance to make a big first impression coming off of a 4-8 season last year. It's safe to say the Gamecocks and sixth-year head coach Shane Beamer did that and then some during the 57-0 Week 1 victory.
The Gamecocks scored 57 points with 645 yards of total offense—the most yards ever under Coach Beamer. The defense was also impressive, registering a shutout for the first time for the Gamecocks since blanking Clemson 30-0 in Beamer's first season in Columbia in 2021.
Since there are college football games throughout the Labor Day weekend, we will not get Associated Press or Coaches' Top 25 rankings until Tuesday morning. Monday night's ACC showdown between the No. 19 SMU Mustangs and Florida State Seminoles is the final game of the week.
But of course, it's never too early to begin predicting where the Gamecocks might land in the Week 2 Top-25 rankings. South Carolina unsurprisingly was not ranked in the initial rankings before the season. But the Gamecocks did receive votes in both polls. South Carolina got the most in the Coaches' Poll (50), and received 10 in the AP Poll.
But following a dominant Week 1 victory over Kent State, the Gamecocks will likely vault themselves into both polls on Tuesday. One big indication? Where South Carolina checks in with the latest ESPN FPI rankings, which were last updated on Monday, Sept. 7.
The Gamecocks went up eight full spots, and currently sit No. 15 overall in the FPI rankings. South Carolina was among a few of the biggest risers that crept into the Top-25, joining the Nebraska Cornhuskers (No. 22) and Utah Utes (No. 23) who also rose eight spots from the initial rankings. The Cornhuskers took care of Ohio at home, winning 49-21, and the Utes took down now-FCS Idaho 66-14. The rankings will likely get their last updated following the SMU-FSU game, with updates for the 'Noles and Mustangs.
MORE: 5 things we learned from South Carolina's 57-0 blowout win over Kent State
Virginia also went up seven spots, as the Cavaliers beat NC State 34-8 during a Week Zero matchup. UVA rounds out the Top-25 in the FPI as things stand on Sunday afternoon.
"Offensively, we didn’t turn the ball over," Coach Beamer said of his team's performance on Sunday via Gamecock Central. "When you don’t turn the ball over, you’re going to probably win the game. When you win the explosive play battle and you don’t turn the ball over, you’re definitely going to win the game. Really good on third down converting."
Obviously we will have to wait and see just where exactly the Gamecocks will check in on Tuesday. But all signs are pointing towards South Carolina vaulting into the Top-25 after an impressive, clean performance against Kent State.
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