South Carolina positioned favorably in ESPN's first preseason FPI
Expectations are high for South Carolina football heading into the 2025 season. The Gamecocks return two of the best players in college football in quarterback LaNorris Sellers and EDGE Dylan Stewart, and Shane Beamer’s team has a chance to improve on a 2024 campaign that saw USC just miss the College Football Playoff.
Most rankings have been high on the Gamecocks this offseason, including the team inside the top 20. Some, including predictions from On3’s Andy Staples and CBS Sports’ Adam Breneman, have South Carolina making the CFP.
On Tuesday, ESPN released its first preseason Football Power Index (FPI) rankings, and South Carolina slotted in at No. 15 in the country with an FPI of 14.7. That mark is good for ninth among all Southeastern Conference teams. With five teams on the 2025 schedule listed ahead of the Gamecocks (Alabama, 3; Texas A&M, 8; Clemson, 11; LSU, 12; Ole Miss, 13), there will be plenty of opportunities for upward movement.
For those unfamiliar with the FPI, ESPN defines it as “a power rating that tracks each team’s strength relative to an average FBS squad. Teams are rated on offense, defense, and special teams, with the values representing points per game.”
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The Worldwide Leader’s USC ranking stems from a projected record of 7.3-4.8. However, ESPN sees a path (albeit a small one) for the Gamecocks to go undefeated, giving a 0.1% chance for an undefeated campaign for the garnet and black. That number jumps to 1% when considering South Carolina’s chances of winning the national title outright.
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ESPN also gives the Gamecocks an 82.4% chance of reaching bowl eligibility and a 1.8% chance of winning the SEC. According to the FPI, South Carolina has a 20.3% chance of making the College Football Playoff. With that, USC has a 2.6% chance of reaching the championship game.
The FPI lists 21 teams with a higher chance of making the CFP field and 14 with a better chance at a national championship. Seven teams in the SEC are listed ahead of the Gamecocks in the SEC Championship odds.
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For now, South Carolina has the No. 13 FPI strength of schedule in the country. That is 12th among SEC teams and 7th among teams on the Gamecocks’ 2025 schedule. However, those numbers will shift as the season progresses.
That schedule begins for the Gamecocks on Sunday, August 31st against the Virginia Tech Hokies. USC and VT will battle in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 3:00 p.m. ESPN will broadcast the neutral-site affair, and the ESPN app will make it available via streaming.
