SOUTH CAROLINA SLIDES SEVERAL SPOTS AFTER LOSS TO LSU, THOUGH
The University of South Carolina football team’s first loss of the 2012 season was a tremendous disappointment – but it didn’t cost head coach Steve Spurrier’s team its Top Ten national ranking.
After falling 23-21 on the road to ninth-ranked Louisiana State, South Carolina (6-1, 4-1 SEC) fell six spots in the Associated Press poll (from No. 3 to No. 9) and five spots in the USA Today/ Coaches poll (from No. 3 to No. 8). Meanwhile LSU (6-1, 2-1 SEC) climbed from No. 9 to No. 6 in the AP poll and from No. 8 to No. 6 in the coaches’ poll.
The Gamecocks have now been ranked in the Top Ten for the last ten polls dating back to the 2011 season – the longest streak in school history. Spurrier’s squad has also been ranked in the Top 25 dating all the way back to week two of the 2010 season – another school record.
South Carolina’s next opponent – SEC East rival Florida– is ranked No. 3 in the AP poll and No. 4 in the coaches’ poll – meaning that the Gamecocks will be playing in a Top Ten matchup for the third straight week in a row when they head to Gainesville, Florida this weekend.
Clemson University – which had an open date this weekend – climbed two spots in the AP poll (from No. 16 to No. 14) while holding at No. 13 in the coaches’ poll. Head coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers (5-1, 2-1 ACC) play unranked Virginia Tech at home this week.
As has been the case all season, the rankings are littered with SEC teams – starting with top-ranked Alabama, a unanimous No. 1 selection in both polls. Behind the Crimson Tide are Florida (Nos. 3/4), LSU (No. 6), South Carolina (Nos. 8/9), Georgia (Nos. 12/13) and Mississippi State (Nos. 15/16) and Texas A&M (No. 19/20).
That’s seven of the nation’s Top 20 teams – from once conference.
ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25 (Oct. 13)
1. Alabama (60) 6-0, 1500
2. Oregon 6-0, 1436
3. Florida 6-0, 1361
4. Kansas State 6-0, 1296
5. Notre Dame 6-0, 1283
6. LSU 6-1, 1153
7. Ohio State 7-0, 1071
8. Oregon State 5-0, 1050
9. South Carolina 6-1, 1042
10. Oklahoma 4-1, 994
11. USC 5-1, 874
12. Florida State 6-1, 836
13. Georgia 5-1, 753
14. Clemson 5-1, 673
15. Mississippi State 6-0, 591
16. Louisville 6-0, 574
17. West Virginia 5-1, 552
18. Texas Tech 5-1, 444
19. Rutgers 6-0, 405
20. Texas A&M 5-1, 379
21. Cincinnati 5-0, 294
22. Stanford 4-2, 242
23. Michigan 4-2, 177
24. Boise State 5-1, 133
25. Ohio 7-0, 104
*Dropped from rankings: Texas 15, Louisiana Tech 23
**Others receiving votes: Arizona State 92, Texas Christian 88, Louisiana Tech 38, Texas 25, North Carolina State 11, Northwestern 6, Washington 6, Wisconsin 6, Nebraska 4, North Carolina 2, Tulsa 2, Penn State 1, Arizona 1.
USA TODAY/ COACHES’ POLL TOP 25 (Oct. 13)
1. Alabama (59) 6-0, 1475
2. Oregon 6-0, 1414
3. Kansas State 6-0, 1307
4. Florida 6-0, 1297
5. Notre Dame 6-0, 1251
6. LSU 6-1, 1179
7. Oklahoma 4-1, 1021
8. South Carolina 6-1, 1012
9. USC 5-1, 995
10. Florida State 6-1, 919
11. Oregon State 5-0, 839
12. Georgia 5-1, 806
13. Clemson 5-1, 741
14. Louisville 6-0, 695
15. West Virginia 5-1, 677
16. Mississippi State 6-0, 671
17. Rutgers 6-0, 495
18. Cincinnati 5-0, 456
19. Texas A&M 5-1, 397
20. Texas Tech 5-1, 274
21. Texas Christian 5-1, 272
22. Boise State 5-1, 271
23. Stanford 4-2, 215
24. Arizona State 5-1, 133
25. Michigan 4-2, 96
*Dropped from rankings: Texas 15, Louisiana Tech 24, Iowa State 25
**Others receiving votes: Northwestern 77, Ohio 54, Texas 54, Louisiana Tech 24, Wisconsin 16, Nebraska 10, Nevada 7, Oklahoma State 6, Western Kentucky 6, Iowa State 5, Northern Illinois 2, Louisiana-Monroe 2, Toledo 2, Tulsa 1, UCLA 1.
PREVIOUS WEEK’S RANKINGS: Preseason–2–3–4–5–6-7
Pics: Laurie Giarratano
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17 comments
I have nothing against Clemson, but how is that team ranked ahead of Mississippi State and other programs that play real opponents?
Just looked at Mississippi State’s schedule so far. I stand corrected.
Face- Clemson had an open date last Saturday. That’s a MUCH tougher opponent than playing against an ACC school.
;0
-FITS
Interesting, if USC loses against Florida it looks like they’ll be lucky to be in the top 25. Realistically, they could go from #3 to unranked in two weeks.
Hater talk. Michigan is still ranked and they haven’t beat a top 5 team as Carolina has, or a ranked team at all for that matter. Losing to a preseason #1 and a current #3 doesn’t doom a team, it’s called life in the SEC. A signature win in the Swamp 2.0 for Spurrier and the Gamecocks are back in the hunt.
Must be a tater….
A Humble Chef – That’s the typical response of a USC fan who reads something they disagree with… “must be a tater”. Sorry moron, not a tater or a coot.
not a chance. the only poll that matters anymore is the BCS with the 1st results/ranks now out. USC is 7th in that and Florida is #2. even a loss this week wouldnt knock USC out of the top 20 really not out of the top 16.
Brad you should add cock behind your name
It’s not that I don’t agree with you, it’s that what you said made no sense at all. I am a Carolina fan, but I’m not a homer. I look at the upside through my garnet glasses, but I’m going to be realistic. That said, losing to two top ten teams in a row doesn’t send us completely out of the rankings form a #3 perch, as long as we keep the games close. If you knew what you were talking about you would understand that. Let’s hope they take care of business in the Swamp and we won’t need to worry about it…..
There’s Clemson fans, and then there’s taters…..like I totally acknowledge that there are moron Carolina fans.
Tater, dumbass, idiot, whatever. It’s all the same to me.
Well, if you ask me, LSU needed a kick and wearing their WHITE jersey at home was it.
Home teams may wear their white jersey at home games if agreed before the season.
oooops
That’s what I’m thinking, their wardrobe is what won the game.
As far as the Florida game this coming weekend, I have just two words,”BROKEN ARROW”. Code for a unit about to be overrun; diverts all Tactical air to support that unit.
Set up screens for Lattimore. Throw the ball. Hut-hut one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand,(THROW IT) four-one thousand- (GOT TO THROW IT)
Stop looking for that sideline. The NFL has no need for a running quarterback. Drop back, look, and throw is what they want. Ever see Johnny Unitas run for a first down?
@ Brad just add cock at the end of your name
LSU almost always wears white, home or away. Since LSU is on national TV almost every weekend, even most casual football fans know that.
The only kick I saw was the one they put on UCS’s a** . . .
All is not lost. If the Gamecocks wear their special “battle” pants, they can get discounted drinks at all the gay bars in Columbia.
Those uniforms are butt-ugly!!!
The curse lives….. Gamecocks cannot stand prosperity….
I was there Sat night. LSU basically shoved it down SC’s throat. Over and over and over…
Hens finally saw a real SEC defense. I do give them credit though for not quitting. No one left early, unlike they do in Columbia, for this one.
Chickens Still got a shot to play for the SEC title. Again.