South Carolina gets a little love in first AP football poll of 2022 season
The Associated Press dropped its preseason top 25 on Monday, and both Clemson and South Carolina were included in some capacity.
Clemson came in at No. 4 in the poll, while USC was unranked but did receive two overall “points.” With the poll’s methodology, that means South Carolina was voted No. 24 by one voter. It’s the first time since 2019 that USC has received any votes in the poll, though the Gamecocks haven’t been ranked since the 2018 season.
The Tigers are coming off a 10-3 campaign, but will be replacing both of its coordinators following the departures of Tony Elliott (Virginia) and Brent Venables (Oklahoma). Clemson was previously ranked No. 5 in CBSSports’ preseason poll that came out on Aug. 2.
South Carolina enters its second season under Shane Beamer after recording a surprising 7-6 season, including a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The Gamecocks added former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler, among others, to an offense that’s undergone an overhaul this offseason.
USC was picked to finish fifth in the SEC East by voters at the league’s media days in July behind Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida.
South Carolina’s 2022 schedule includes five teams that were listed in the AP’s preseason poll — Clemson, Georgia, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Arkansas.
Beamer’s squad also received fewer points than fellow SEC members Tennessee (180), LSU (55), Mississippi State (15), Auburn (12) and Florida (14).
South Carolina also received five points in the USA Today Coaches poll that was released Aug. 8.
Note: The State’s Ben Portnoy is a voter for the Associated Press Top 25.
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Associated Press Preseason Top 25
*First place votes in parentheses
Alabama (54)
Ohio State (6)
Georgia (3)
Clemson
Notre Dame
Texas A&M
Utah
Michigan
Oklahoma
Baylor
Oregon
Oklahoma State
N.C. State
Southern Cal
Michigan State
Miami (FL)
Pittsburgh
Wisconsin
Arkansas
Kentucky
Ole Miss
Wake Forest
Cincinnati
Houston
BYU
Others receiving votes:
Tennessee 180, Texas 164, Iowa 163, Penn State 160, LSU 55, Fresno State 32, Minnesota 31, UCF 27, Purdue 17, Mississippi State 15, Auburn 15, Florida 14, Kansas State 14, North Carolina 9, Boise State 5, Air Force 4, Appalachian State 4, South Carolina 2, UCLA 2, San Diego State 2, Utah State 2, Nebraska 1
