“South Carolina’s Make-or-Break Season: Will the Gamecocks Prove the Hype or Collapse Under It?”

Preseason College Football Rankings: Why They’re More Art Than Science

College football preseason polls are far from exact. What one fan or voter sees as a “quality win” might not carry the same weight for someone else. This was on full display in the preseason AP Top 25 released earlier this week, where Texas debuted at No. 1 and Penn State followed closely at No. 2. The Longhorns edged out the Nittany Lions by only a handful of votes, one of the narrowest margins ever between the top two preseason teams. Texas claimed 25 first-place votes, while Penn State earned 23—a virtual tie that came down to voter preference. It’s another reminder that preseason rankings are more about perception than prediction, sparking heated debates about which teams are overrated or underrated before the season even begins.

History shows that hype rarely lasts. Many preseason darlings fall flat, tumbling down the rankings—or out of them entirely—by season’s end. South Carolina knows that reality all too well.

---

South Carolina’s Brush with the “Overrated” Tag

On3’s Brett McMurphy shared a graphic this week ranking the Top 25 Most Overrated Teams since 2014, and South Carolina landed at No. 22. It’s not the first time the Gamecocks have worn that label. While critics point to underwhelming years, many Gamecock fans insist the picture is more complicated. In fact, some argue that in 2025, the buzz around Columbia might not only be justified but that South Carolina could actually be underrated.

---

2014: Spurrier’s High Hopes Collapse

Fresh off three straight 11-win seasons, Steve Spurrier’s 2014 squad entered ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP poll, with legitimate SEC title chatter. But a brutal home opener against No. 21 Texas A&M ended in a blowout, snapping a 19-game home winning streak and exposing defensive holes. The Gamecocks never recovered, stumbling to a 7-6 finish and falling completely out of the rankings. That team was clearly overrated.

2023: Momentum Meets Reality

The 2023 season had a different feel but a similar disappointment. After shocking wins over No. 5 Tennessee and No. 8 Clemson to close 2022, South Carolina entered the next fall as a trendy “dark horse” pick despite being unranked in the preseason poll. Instead, injuries piled up, the offensive line surrendered 41 sacks, and the Gamecocks finished 5-7—dead last in the SEC in rushing offense and out of bowl contention. A would-be breakout year instead added fuel to the “overrated” narrative.

---

2025: Overhyped Again, or Finally Underrated?

The new AP preseason poll has South Carolina at No. 13, and the opinions are split.

The Skeptics
ESPN’s Greg McElroy was quick to question the ranking:

“Thirteen to me for South Carolina is really high, and I think that that team, there’s too many question marks right now on defense to feel great about them going into the season.”

While McElroy praised All-American defensive end Dylan Stewart—“He will take over games. There’s no doubt about that”—he raised concerns about how the Gamecocks will replace key losses along the defensive line. Add in a daunting SEC schedule, and McElroy believes South Carolina could easily miss expectations again.

The Believers
Others, like Josh Pate of The Late Kick, see it differently. For Pate, South Carolina has two game-changing sophomores in QB LaNorris Sellers and DE Dylan Stewart.

“South Carolina could have the best offensive player in the SEC AND the best defensive player in the SEC.”

Sellers, a preseason All-American, already turned heads with his dual-threat play last year, while Stewart, a freshman All-SEC honoree, enters 2025 as one of the country’s top pass rushers. If both elevate their games, South Carolina has the star power to contend with anyone.

---

The Road Ahead

The Gamecocks’ schedule will ultimately decide the narrative. They open against Virginia Tech on a neutral field, followed by a stretch of winnable games that could set them up at 5-0. That momentum, coupled with their ranking, could propel them into playoff conversations.

Josh Pate’s projection model gives South Carolina a wide range of outcomes—from 5-7 on the low end to 11-1 if everything clicks. The most likely finish? 8-4. A 9-3 season or better, however, would put the “overrated” label to rest once and for all and potentially position the Gamecocks as a playoff dark horse.

---

Final Word

So, are the 2025 Gamecocks overrated? The truth is, no one knows yet—and that’s the point. Preseason polls aren’t prophecy, just opinion. South Carolina has worn the overrated tag before, but every year is a fresh opportunity.

As Shane Beamer’s team prepares to take the field, one thing is certain: whether the Gamecocks validate the hype or stumble again, the debate itself is what makes college football so captivating.