Here is what coach Shane Beamer said on the Paul Finebaum show Wednesday when asked about South Carolina making the College Football Playoff.

In last week’s rankings, the committee slotted the trio in this order: No. 13 Alabama, No. 14 Ole Miss and No. 15 South Carolina. Since then, the Gamecocks were the only team to beat a ranked opponent, knocking off No. 12 Clemson.

Nigajuan Mansell: Mansell announced he would enter the portal as a graduate transfer after two seasons with South Carolina. He is a 6-foot-3, 300-pound interior offensive lineman who walked onto the team last summer but had a season-ending injury in practice on Sept. 24, 2023. He played two games this season − against Akron and Wofford.