Most UNDERRATED Teams, SEC Media Days Day 3 TAKEAWAYS, Make Or Break Year For Beamer Ball And More

Summary

SEC Unfiltered, Bleav — “Most UNDERRATED Teams, SEC Media Days Day 3 TAKEAWAYS, Make Or Break Year For Beamer Ball And More”
Date: July 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, hosts Chris Phillips, Cole “The Bear” Thompson, and Demetri Gabanas dive into underrated SEC football teams heading into the 2026 season, share key takeaways from a packed Day 3 of SEC Media Days, and deliver an in-depth preview and debate on South Carolina football’s pivotal year under Shane Beamer. The show blends analytical breakdowns, pointed banter, memorable coach moments from Media Days, and comprehensive outlooks for several major SEC programs.

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Main Theme

Identifying the most underrated teams in the SEC for 2026, digesting coach comments and storylines from SEC Media Days, with a particular focus on whether South Carolina and Shane Beamer can rebound from a disastrous season.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who’s the Most Underrated Team in the SEC? (02:25–14:58)

• Demetri: Alabama.
  • Explains the overreaction against Bama, especially after a rough end to last season, despite first-place SEC finish and immense talent.
  • “Would I go to Calshi right now and put next month's mortgage payment on it? Probably not. But I think it is crazy the certainty with which people are talking about this as an 8-4 team.” (04:54)
  • Emphasizes new coach Kalen DeBoer’s track record and underrated defense.
• Cole: South Carolina.
  • “No idea what South Carolina can be this year. No idea. And that’s kind of a good thing.” (08:42)
  • Credits Beamer for making difficult staff changes, highlighting new OC Kendall Briles.
  • “If everything hits, South Carolina could be that team. They have the guys, they have the Jimmys and the Joes.” (10:10)
• Chris: Tennessee.
  • Praises roster depth around new QB Faison Brandon, returning 1,000-yd rusher, offensive line, and faith in Josh Heupel’s QB development.
  • “I think the quarterback will be good enough because Josh Heupel has shown me that quarterback play under his leadership is never going to be a major issue…This Tennessee team is vastly slept on.” (12:46–13:40)

Memorable exchange:
Demetri on Alabama: “This is the toughest thing in being Kalen DeBoer: you are being graded against a version of college football that will never exist again.” (18:59)

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2. SEC Media Days Day 3 Takeaways (22:10–35:14)

• Kirby Smart’s comfort and presence: “He owned that room…the only one that didn’t come in hard sell mode.” (22:10)
• Alex Golesh (Auburn): Notably managing expectations, “Year one’s about setting a standard. It’s not about…going to win national titles.” (24:46)
• Clark Lea (Vanderbilt): “The word I’d use for Clark Lea is powerful...‘I’m grateful that everyone has had the courage to believe in our vision and walk beside us…while the world laughed from the safety of the sidelines.’” (27:13)
• John Sumrall (Florida):
  • Honesty and ferocity: “He’s just gonna lay it out there—be completely honest, not hold back, and it’s warranted.” (31:01)
  • “You would be kicked out of our team meeting. I swear, you’re lucky I’m not going to throw this freaking podium right now.” (34:39)

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3. The Alabama Standard & National Media Framing (17:53–20:27)

• Hosts break down why Alabama is uniquely and unfairly scrutinized, not against other teams but against itself, i.e., the Nick Saban era.
  • Cole: “Even Kirby Smart…the guy who is currently heralded as college football czar, is not Nick Saban…So if you’re gonna set the bar at that level, you’re instantaneously setting yourself up for failure.” (19:06)
• Kalen DeBoer’s track record against elite coaches recounted in detail.

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4. South Carolina Deep Dive — Preview & Pivotal Year for Shane Beamer (38:55–End)

(Sections include full context, detailed debate, and roster breakdowns)

Historical Context and 2025 Collapse (39:17–43:44)

• Recap of South Carolina’s 4-8 season, offensive collapse, and how it changed the tone around Beamer.
• Chris: “To say last season was an unmitigated disaster might be putting it lightly.” (39:25)
• South Carolina’s program history: only four 10+ win seasons ever, three under Spurrier.

Beamer’s Seat: “Not a Hot Seat — He’s Pre-Fired” (39:25–44:00)

• Demetri: “It’s not a hot seat…it’s not a hot seat, Chris. He’s pre-fired. Like we’re just waiting for the date.” (39:25)
• Bear: “You have talent…But if you end up going 5-7 this year…is that finally a moment where you admit it’s a coaching thing?” (40:05)

The Cultural Disconnect (41:29–43:44)

• Demetri: “This fan base does not live on the same planet that the rest of us do…If Spurrier doesn’t get a statue, no one will.” (41:29, 42:26)
• Historical results vs expectations: “South Carolina has won 10 or more games…four times. Three under Spurrier.” (41:36–41:48)

The Real Flaws (45:27–50:54)

• The biggest concern: Poor assistant hires, lack of offensive identity, blown leads.
• “No matter what talent is on the field, the coaches will always lower the ceiling…not a very good coaching staff.” (45:27)
• On Beamer and public expectations: “If you’re gonna run your mouth and talk…the way that you do…and then you blow a 30-point lead…it’s embarrassing.” (49:10)

Can Briles Save Beamer? 2026 Roster & Staff Overview (54:11–64:00)

• Offense:
  • Kendall Briles as new OC: “Can Kendall Briles get Lenore Sellers back to more so looking like the 2024 version of himself…?” (56:51)
  • OL rebuilt via portal, WR room loaded, RB question remains.
  • Bear: “You had the worst offensive line among Power 4 teams last year. It was embarrassing.” (60:04)
• Defense:
  • “Clayton White is back at DC. Shout out to him…South Carolina has over 100 turnovers forced in the last five years (leads SEC).” (64:00)
  • Star edge Dylan Stewart’s health is pivotal; LB room and secondary praised.
  • “I think we will get on here Saturday nights and talk about how South Carolina’s defense…did their part and it still wasn’t enough.” (68:34)
• Special Teams:
  • “There’s probably no team in the SEC that I feel more inclined to talk special teams, of course, than South Carolina, because Beamer Ball…” (71:56)

Schedule & Season Outlook (76:23–83:41)

• Early soft schedule, then brutal run: “They will start 3-0 and end up 3-6.” (77:37)
• Key games: Mississippi State (season-defining), Tennessee (potential Beamer ‘job game’), finish vs Georgia and Clemson.
• Cole: “If you lose to Mississippi State, the season is over before it ever got started.” (82:05)

The Beamer Line: How Many Wins to Save His Job? (83:10–End)

• Demetri: “I don’t think you could justify firing him if they win seven before the bowl game…However…this doesn’t do anything other than buy you one more year.” (84:38)
• Bear: “I think it’s eight wins. I think if you get eight, you’re guaranteed back for another year…And if you get the bowl win…top 25 team…people will buy in.” (85:47)
• New AD Jeremiah Donati doesn’t have ties to Beamer: “ADs want their own people…bottom line.” (87:10)
• “Seven and five is like the worst case scenario…it’s either show me you’re it, or get the hell out of Dodge.” (93:31–93:41)

Listener quotes

• Yasuru117 (listener): “Seven before a bowl game isn’t enough with the talent they have.” (95:08)
• Ryland Report: “If they’re at 7-3 and you drop the last two to Georgia and Clemson, I mean, you’ve put together a pretty good year if you’re sitting there at 7-3. But I mean, Georgia’s got to be marked as an L. I’m sorry, it just has to.” (95:16)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Alabama’s status:
  “This is the toughest thing in being Kalen DeBoer: you are being graded against a version of college football that will never exist again.” — Demetri (18:59)

• On Beamer’s self-set expectations:
  “If the roster is not in a position to compete for a playoff in year six, it falls on one person…the guy who put the roster together.” — Chris (92:02)

• On South Carolina’s cycle:
  “Seven and five was, you were just good enough to keep your head above water…That’s really all it was, 100%.” — Demetri (90:52)

• On fan expectations:
  “South Carolina fans either want to be in the College Football Playoff or go 3 and 9. They do not want to be 7 and 5.” — Cole (95:08)

• On Beamer’s charisma vs. Deliverables:
  “I am shocked it took everyone else as long to get here as—or it took everybody else so much longer to get where I’ve been from about day two with this guy. He just seems very hollow to me.” — Demetri (53:14)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:25 — Most underrated SEC teams for 2026
• 14:58 — Tennessee’s roster overview & QB discussion
• 22:10 — SEC Media Days Day 3: coach impressions
• 34:39 — John Sumrall, Kalen DeBoer, and the pressures of the Alabama job
• 38:55 — South Carolina in 2026: setting the stage after a lost season
• 45:27 — What’s most concerning for SC coming out of 2025?
• 54:11 — Can Kendall Briles “save” Beamer? Offense preview
• 64:00 — Defensive stability & coaching analysis
• 71:56 — The role of Beamer Ball and special teams
• 76:23 — Schedule walk-through, predicted records
• 83:10 — What does Beamer need to do to get a 7th year?
• 95:08 — Listener reactions, final thoughts on expectations

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Episode Tone

Candid, passionate, and rooted in deep SEC and Gamecock knowledge; features honest but respectful debate and banter.

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Useful for Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode delivers a thorough, no-nonsense look at how top and mid-tier SEC programs are being underrated, dissecting both the on-field roster calculus and off-field narratives—especially for Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina. The South Carolina segment is essential listening for any Gamecock or SEC fan, as it unpacks Beamer’s crossroads, the historical context for expectations, and what it’ll take to avoid a coaching change after 2026. Quotes and timestamps help you jump to the juiciest moments. Skip the first couple minutes and ads for wall-to-wall football content.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[A]

I'm Chris Phillips, he's Cold Bear Thompson, he's Demetri Gabonis. This is Chewing Clock. We got a jam packed show here on this Wednesday, July 22, SEC Media Days in full force. Most underrated team in the conference. And we're talking South Carolina today as we continue to preview each and every single team in the sec. But first things first, guys. And of course we always want to hear from you. Let me add, but first things first, I want to welcome in my co hosts, my colleagues, my partners in crime, Cole the Bear Thompson, Dimitri Gabanas. They join me once again here on Chewing Clock. Fellas, how we feeling? How's the week going?

[B]

I'm.

[C]

I'm enjoying. So I was at ACC media days. I'm very much enjoying SEC from home. Right. Because you really get especially experience in it through the SEC network. It really is all killer. No filler.

[A]

Right.

[C]

Like, I know we'll. I'll dive into this more afterwards, but to watch someone ask Alex Golish substantive questions rather than the whole room take their turn asking the same question at different words like, yes, give me that all day long. Thank you.

[B]

Two shout outs. Number one to Chris Marler, our good friend from Locked on Gamecocks, getting told yesterday I like you by Shane Beamer. I love that. That there are people out there that still Shane Beamer likes. And number two, have you guys seen this morning's already reaction to John Somer all taking the stage?

[A]

No, no.

[B]

He got a round of applause as he was taking the stage. Good God. Welcome in the new era of loose cannon Cobb mentality down in Gainesville. I'm all for it.

[A]

Well, I hate to regret and reform you guys, but we might be cooked because per John Sumrall at SEC media days, quote, it's football season, it's not podcast season.

[C]

Oh, no.

[A]

Tough look for us. That's.

[C]

That's.

[A]

Sorry, John, we just want to talk. We don't mean any harm, John. We just want to talk some ball.

[B]

But that means he's gonna call me after the show. It's all good. We're fine.

[C]

That means you owe Cole and I hazard pay for being here out of season. Yeah, isn't that our collective bargaining?

[A]

I believe. I believe it was called essential workers back during COVID That's what you guys are. You weren't.

[B]

Have we. Have we talked about the union starting yet? Have we gotten into that conversation or are we still waiting for that for.

[C]

No, no, no.

[A]

We'll. We'll.

[C]

We'll wait until we feel like we're at maximum bar power to.

[B]

All right, all right. A little bit more.

[A]

You guys. People, contact my people and we'll get. We'll get all that. No, really appreciate you guys being here. It's been a really, really fun week. The unofficial kickoff of the 2026 season. Talking season, as the HBC used to say. And guys, on that note, we will get a course into what took place yesterday and what's happening right now at SEC media days. But in light of what we discussed on Monday, I want to start with this. The most underrated team in the SEC entering kickoff on Monday. Guys, if you tuned in, you might recall we talked most overrated teams in the conference. We're going to show some love today. Maybe some teams that aren't getting enough hype, aren't catching enough preseason buzz, aren't getting enough love. So we'll go around as we always do, starting with Demetri Ivanas, going with Cole the Bear Thompson and myself. And we'll have a big discussion here. So, Dimitri, we'll start with you. Your most underrated team in the SEC going into kickoff.

[C]

So full disclosure. I had texted Chris initially, I don't know who to do for this. I guess I'll do Mizzou. And then yesterday it dawned on me, like, there's only one team that I think has the talent to actually win the conference that I feel like is getting downgraded a little bit, and that is Alabama. Now, don't get me wrong, I totally understand and accept your. Your. Your hesitation.

[A]

Right.

[C]

Like the. The toughness was a question at times last year. No matter whether it's Mac or Russell, it'll be Russell. They are breaking in a new quarterback this year. They do have to do some heavy lifting to fix that offensive line. Totally get that. But all three of us, when we were doing our predicted order of finish, all three of us walked away going. It's hard to point to the games. They will definitely lose. The talent is there. I am still a believer in Kayin deboer. I think more especially as much as we talk about the questions on the offensive side of the ball, I feel like we have some real certainties and some real positives on the defensive side of the ball. It may not look like what we've gotten used to in the post lane era of Alabama of them being able to put up points with anybody. Alabama may be having to win games, you know, 21 to 14 this year, but I believe they can do it. Would I go to Calshi right now and put next month's mortgage payment on it. Probably not. But I think it is crazy the certainty with which people are talking about this as an 8 and 4 team.

[A]

Demetri and Cole, I want to ask you this, Cole, before you go, fair or unfair that we're not giving Bama more love after finishing first overall in the SEC last year and making the SEC title game. I know how it ended and how bad they look, but it feels like we, to be fair, it feels like we sort of just forgot about everything else. Yeah. Because of the last two games. And I didn't even mention the Oklahoma, the playoff game that they won that was sandwiched in between those two. I even heard Paul Feinbaum on SEC Network say that and this is not how it works, believe it or not, but that the Indiana game essentially wiped away what happened in the Oklahoma game because it was so bad.

[B]

I'm like, that's not how that works.

[C]

Yeah, I think it is fair that we are downgrading them. And Chris, on the surface, I agree with you. Like, that's not how that works. However, I just don't think we've ever seen Alabama, especially post Saban, post Saban coming in. I don't think we've seen Alabama look that way before. I don't think we've ever seen them look that lost before. So I do think it is fair. We are kind of expecting some kind of disappointment in Tuscaloosa. Right. But I think when you look at the schedule, when you look at the talent, all three of us came to the conclusion that 8 and 4 is not crazy. But point to the obvious losses on the schedule. They just aren't there.

[B]

I think the big thing when it comes to Alabama right now is that you look at how it ended and it goes all the way back to the beginning of November because they did not look good in that LSU game and then they didn't look good in the Auburn game, which again, it's at Jordan here. We know the voodoo shaman man seeps his magic into that game every single time the two play against each other. But it's the way that it ended sour for Alabama. And we know what the standard is in Tuscaloosa. Dominant, forceful, impactful. No, no. Outlier. You are the best team. And because of Alabama at times didn't feel like one of the 12 best teams. People laid them down. But we also have to remind ourselves that team that showed up in week one in Tallahassee got better and they ended up going to Sanford Stadium and getting the second win in over seven years. At Sanford Stadium. And they handled business in that game. They handled business against a Tennessee team with the number one quarterback in terms of passing yards. They shut down Diego Pavia Co. Which ultimately kept them out of the playoffs. They did a good job playing against Missouri. That once again was in that 9 win caliber range. So Alabama was a good team. Alabama at times looked like a team that had its faults and unfortunately that's people are going to remember because of underneath Nick Saban. They never looked like they had faults. They looked like a roster that was built to be able to sustain anything thrown their way. And unfortunately, in the day and age where we are with college football right now, we still want to believe that Alabama is that team. And the reality is is that they're not. But at the same time, nobody is built like the old vintage Alabama underneath Nick Saban. So you have to change the way that you go about deciphering what are realistic outlooks for this season. Good season, Very solid season. Again, winners of the regular season in the sec. But how it looked to get there was a little bit underwhelming, which ultimately is why we talk about them in such a negative light.

[A]

Mayor, your most underrated team heading into kickoff.

[B]

Yes, the team we're about to talk about. And God bless. I knew that I was going to go ahead and get on the good side of South Carolina fans this morning. It's the Gamecocks. It is.

[C]

Because if we don't, to be fair, one of us should come out of here on the good side of South Carolina. Thank God for you.

[B]

Listen, the bear is going to be welcomed into Willie B. And Shane Bieber's going to get on the podcast best and say, I like him. He is. He's a fantastic dude. But bottom line, we have no idea what South Carolina can be this year. No idea. And that's kind of a good thing. Here's what we also know. It's an even year. In even years, Shane Beamer defies expectations. Look at what he did in 2022. Look at what he did in 2024. What's for me to say they won't do it in 2026? The version of South Carolina that took the field last season is as extinct as the Tyrannosaurus rex. It is a thing of the past. It is dead like disco. This is a new version of South Carolina football that could end up being very promising. They went out and they fixed their offensive personnel. They brought in Randy Clements for the offensive line coach. They brought in Stan Drayton for the running Backs coach. They made Kendall Bry the offensive coordinator. Shane Beamer didn't just hire a random buddy that was in his wedding to call plays on offense. He said, I will get uncomfortable to make a move to bring in somebody that I think is going to be a good fit for us. They still have talent. Nick harbor still is there. They still have Lenor Sellers, they still have Dylan Stewart. They got better on the defensive side. They had a really good defensive recruiting cycle this past offseason. Really good defensive transfer portal this past offseason. Matt Fuller looked like that he could be a very promising running back last year late to the campaign and again, their schedule is manageable to where you look and say we rattle off a few wins here or there, we can get to 9 and 3 and 9 and 3 again is one of those seasons where for South Carolina fans, it's not guaranteed to be in the playoffs. But what did Shane Beamer say? We want to be in that conversation when November rolls around. Where you are right now with how good this talent can be if everything hits big, if, if everything hits, South Carolina could be that team. They have the guys, they have the Jimmy's and the Joes. They have a coaching staff that I think is vastly underappreciated at the national level. And I do think that when you look at what is in store this season, if we get Lenora Sellers back to what he once was with better wide receiver play, with a better consistency with all that, you're in a very, very, very good spot to say we can be a team that is at least fighting for that bid in the college football play. Maybe we won't get there, but we're fighting for that conversation.

[A]

Guys, we're going to talk more about South Carolina here shortly, so I'll save some of the discourse for that, but bear to your point. Shane Beamer did say yesterday at SEC media days, hey, listen, y' all picked us to finish really highly last year and y' all are going to finish to pick us to finish really low this year and we got the, the same dudes coming back that y' all were high on us for last year for this year.

[C]

So yeah, this is, there is one dude that is not coming back and it is the big reason why. I'm sorry, I'm just never going to be a believer in Shane Beamer. As a Bama fan and a Panthers fan, I could have told you how Mike Shula, offensive coordinator, was going to go from the second you hired him as a, as an analyst. There is, I will tell you if this team has the kind of season, Cole that you think they can have. It is an absolute indictment on Beamer's leadership and decision making of who he puts his trust in. Because last year was a wasted year because you had a guy calling plays that does not realize it is not 1995 anymore.

[A]

A big year for South Carolina, no doubt. Again, we'll get to that more later in the show. I like the pick though, Cole. Certainly you think about biggest turnarounds from 4 and 8 to what could they be this season? We'll see my most underrated team. I'll go with the Tennessee Vols. I'm going to continue to ride this train. I feel like I've been on Tennessee for the last couple weeks, if not the last couple months. Guys. I think this Tennessee team is vastly slept on and one that's not being talked about. There's not a lot of hype, not a lot of excitement. I think, you know, I'll say most, not all, but it feels like most are expecting Tennessee to take a step back this year. Question at the quarterback position, I, I totally get it. Is it going to be Faison? Brandon? Is it going to be George McIntyre and it is Faison, Brandon, you're asking a guy who's never taken a snap in college to be the answer. But when I look at the rest of the team around the quarterback position, you get a thousand yard rusher into Sean Bishop returning, you got an offensive line that's got four or five starters back and it should be one of the better O lines in the conference. I know you lose Chris Braz on the outside, but you got Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews back on the outside. I think that they can more than do the job that you're asking to do. You have Josh Hyple, by the way, who the way we talk about, hey, it's Brent Venables, we know the defense will be good. You can give the the benefit of the doubt. That's just an example. I feel the same way about about Josh Hyper when it comes to quarterbacks. Now do I think either one of their signal callers probably asking to be all conference or leave the SEC in passing like Joey Aguilar did. And maybe it's because I listed Joey Aguilar 16th last year out of 16 quarterbacks and how wrong I was. I'm like I'm completely flipping the script but I think the quarterback will be good enough because Josh Hyple has shown me that quarterback play under his leadership is never going to be a major issue. And defensively, listen, I'm not saying there aren't some holes. The loss of Chaz Coleman because of whatever the off field stuff going on, that was big. But bringing in Jim Knowles, I think, and I understand that, you know, defense is under his leadership most year ones, it takes some time for his system and everything to implement. I think it's going to be that process is going to be expedited. It's more about at what point does it sink in or what point does it, does his, does his, does it take root this season? Is it by mid season, is it early season, is it late season, what have you? I think that process will be expedited. I trust Jim Knowles. You get every on Carter back at the linebacker position. I think they're a little bit better in the secondary than people are giving credit for. And I think on the defensive front they have some young talent there. They got to get some answers at edge rusher. I'm not saying they don't, but they were reliability last year. If they can just be average defensively, I think there's some things on offense to be excited about. So I'll go Tennessee and this isn't even me saying that they're going to be world beaters and even make a college football playoff, but I've got them going eight and four guys just to get it out there. And I think a lot of people seeing them as a fringe bowl team, I think it's more likely they win nine games than win six games. So let me ask you guys, my most underrated, Let me ask you guys this.

[B]

If you just look at Tennessee's roster, offensive line, wide receiver, Sean Bishop, even defense, and you didn't know a damn thing about the quarterback at all. Real freshmen coming on in. What would you say of this team? Because I think that that's where we kind of go is that we look at that freshman quarterback and say that's the reason they'll go 7 and 5. That's the reason they'll go 6 and 6. Because they have talent at every other position where I'm actually intrigued by them this year.

[C]

Yeah, it's, it's funny you threw out those two numbers, Cole, because I was going to say, you look at the other positions that you say, okay, 7 and 5 is the floor for this team based on that talent level. I think it's funny Chris Hypo and really Alex Golish was giving Hypo so much credit yesterday at SEC media, media days for shaping his philosophy and the way he utilizes receivers deep over to the numbers almost at times. I, I think we for years talked about Gus Malzahn as a cheat code for a running back.

[A]

Right.

[C]

He's going to put in a system that will always have a running back put up numbers. I think logically we know Hypo has been that for a quarterback. We just haven't really said it out loud enough.

[A]

I'm excited about this Tennessee team. I think they're really intriguing. I think they're interesting. Again, yes, quarterback, a question. But I do think they are vastly underrated from the standpoint of I think they've established a pretty nice floor there. I mean last year they go 8 and 4 and there was massive disappointment. Of course you're following up a college football playoff. You know, I understand some the moans and groans I hear from Tennessee fans about, well, this is the state of the quarterback position. Is it on Josh Hypo because of the way they didn't go attack in the portal and you know, they had Sam Levitt on campus and in comes Lane Kiffin and LSU swooping in the middle of the night to steal him away. They're excited about Faison, Brandon. I understand why. I'll be curious who they go with, but it's more so again what is around the quarterback and I think the defense takes a step forward to Jim Knowles. I think they will be much better than people are expecting. So, Demetri, you're going with Alabama. Cole, you're going with South Carolina. I will go with Tennessee. There's a lot of great candidates for this of most underrated teams in the sec. Before we get off this segment, I want to get into some questions. We appreciate y' all engaging with the show. J. Moneyman, 86, says the media has done a real crap job on Bama this off season. I have never seen a team this disrespected, but I guess it's okay because it is. Aloha Alabama. Shaking my head.

[B]

I mean, to be fair, is he. Is he wrong? Like if it was any other team besides Alabama that that had the same record as them, would they be treated this way because of who is now coaching them and not.

[C]

I was about to say the I think he's wrong because it's not Alabama that's been disrespected. It's Kaylin DeBoer and frankly, he is part of the reason that I believe it is very possible they make this major turnaround this year.

[A]

Well, I think with Alabama too. And I heard them say this about Georgia yesterday and I think it's valid. I think it's the reason Alabama's not not being talked about or when they are, it's not positive. It's, you know, you're. You're judged differently when you're a program like that. You're not being judged to the comparison of are you better than 99% of other programs out there? You're judged to how do you compare to the best version of yourself? And so it's why we look at Georgia, for example, and say, well, they've been a huge disappointment. It's like they've been a huge disappointment in the eyes of comparing them to what they did in 2021 and 2022.

[C]

We don't ask, is Kirby on a hot seat? We ask, is the fan base getting

[A]

frustrated as he lost his fastball type of question. Yeah. So Alabama, that's. I mean, Caitlin DeBoer's Alabama is not being graded against Are you one of the best 10 programs in the country? One of the five best programs. The question is, are. How do you stack up to Nick Saban's element?

[C]

Right.

[A]

That's why taking that job was such a difficult task. Because the answer is going to be you're never going to.

[C]

Yeah, right. Yeah, it's.

[B]

It's.

[C]

I think the toughest thing in being Kaylin DeBoer is you are being graded against a version of college football that will never exist again.

[B]

Right. Can I just throw this out here? Kaylin DeBoer, I believe, is a top six head coach in college football. I think he's the second best coach in the sec and everyone wants to go ahead and raise their arms, go, well, how can he be when he lost to Vanderbilt? Let me just throw out some stats real fast so everyone understands why we got on this pathway. Kaylin DeBoer is 26 against top 25 teams in his career. Kaylin DeBoer is 51 against AP top 10 teams in his career. Against Dan Lanning at Oregon, a guy who everybody believes is a bonafide top 10 coach. He's 30 against Steve Sarkeesian, another guy who everyone thinks is a bonafide top 10 coach. He is 2 0. And against Kirby Smart, who we believe and most people believe is the greatest coach currently in college football. He is 2 and 1 and 2 and oh. In the regular season and has one of the biggest wins for a team on the road at Samford Stadium. He has been to a national championship. He has been to two college football playoff appearances. He has won a conference title. I don't get what more freaking loops you want him to jump through to prove that he's a good coach. It's that he's not Nick Saban. Well, I hate to break it to you, even Kirby Smart, the guy who is currently heralded as college football czar, is not Nick Saban. So if you're gonna set the bar at that level, you're instantaneously setting yourself up for failure.

[C]

I want to put a pin in that. If you're setting the bar at that level, you're setting yourself up for failure. Let's put a pin in that exact statement and come back to it when we start talking about South Carolina.

[A]

Yay. On that note, guys, really quickly and again, we can expand on this more when we talk South Carolina Cam Johnson comment or maybe when we talk SEC media days here in just a moment. Cam Johnson says Beamer appears to have appears to have failed to understand that the doubt surrounding the program isn't the talent. It's on the roster. It's him. Shane Beamer's why the media doesn't believe one thing from his comments I thought was interesting. Yasuru117 also says just tuned in. I'm going to die on this hill, but I think South Carolina is going to be a huge underdog this season. They will be scrappy and take some big games off some top SEC teams. He then follows it up and says, do y' all think if South Garner wins six games this year but looks scrappy and is just losing close games, they fire Shane Beamer? Seems fans are getting extremely restless. Guys, let, let's, let's save it. Let's save it for the South Carolina conversation because we're going to get into that and I for the sake of not repeating ourselves, let's, I promise you, you Suru, please stay tuned in. We're going to talk some SEC media days and then we will get into it. Heck, we might even talk it right now because Shane Bieber spoke yesterday. I'm sure you guys have thoughts on that. That being said, day two of SEC Medias took place yesterday. Day three happening right now, guys. Caitlin DeBoer and John Sumrall this morning. Two more coaches going in the afternoon. But yesterday, guys, it was Kirby Smart getting the day going. Alex Goldish from Auburn, Clark Lee from Andy, Shane Beamer from South Carolina. I'll give you guys an opportunity to talk on day two. I went on my show yesterday and gave my full thoughts, but any major takeaways from what you heard on day two?

[C]

Guys, I think the it's not so much what he said. It was Kirby smart and it's totally understandable why he's the only one that didn't come in hard sell mode. Right? Like he owned that room. The second he stepped up to the podium, started talking about how much time in his life he had spent in the south and Central Florida areas, I texted the guys when he said I used to spend my summers in Plant City. Well, that tells me your grandparents didn't love you enough to take you to

[A]

either Disney World or Bush Gardens.

[C]

But, but still, he seemed very at home. He seemed ready for any question that came his way. And anytime he got, I don't want to say challenge because I don't think anybody there was there to challenge Kirby's record, but anytime he was asked a question that may have been quote, unquote tough, he started with a smile and a laugh, not dismissive. Almost as if I knew something like this was coming. So like Kirby, Kirby runs this conference and he should come in like that. So that stood out. The other one, I mentioned it earlier, Alex Golish and Chris, I think it was you that said this last week. He is really managing Auburn expectations, right? Like, he was not at the podium, but I saw him. The interview with the SEC network crew and Dusty Dvorak went right at him is like, you know, I know what you did at South Florida. Why would, why would, why should we believe on day one, Byron Brown could do that and the SEC in the sec. And Golich's response was, you shouldn't. It is about doing enough this year to build up for whoever is going to become behind and they see this is what we do here at Auburn. So I walked away really impressed with Golich.

[B]

I walked away massively impressed with Alex Golish. Here's the problem. You did it at Auburn and Auburn expectations. We have no idea. Let's be real. You could say something wrong to a booster and be shown the door. Like, that's the level of we have no idea, batshit crazy that comes with Auburn. That's the job.

[C]

And so like if you're Alex Goldish like you have granted from afar you have seen what happens when the defensive coordinator stays but the head coach changes. Right? You did. You didn't like throw up immediately?

[B]

Nothing like nothing. Which again, it's why like Auburn, as much as I believe it's warrant, it is beyond warranted as a head Coach making a first year move to a Power 4 job. Temper expectations. I, I, I totally agree with that. Auburn fans are sick and Tired of that stuff. That, that's the problem.

[A]

Yeah. When he was saying like, year one's about setting a standard. It's not about like, you're right, he was very. And I don't think anything he said was bad or wrong. No, he was very. He wasn't going to go out there and be like our expectations to win national titles or to go to the, you know, it's. He's like, it's about, it's about setting the standard and laying a foundation. Well, that tells me, you know, don't, don't expect us to go beat the door down or do anything crazy.

[B]

Year one, I, my, my big takeaway is I love the confidence of Clarkley. I absolutely love that. Clark Lee is not afraid after having a 10 win season to say we're gonna temper what we do this year. His quote about talking about this was a foundation. Everyone that, everyone that we look at, you know, we believe that this is a climb. Last season was at the arrival. It's simply another step. We are planning on being the best program in college football again. If a job like Notre Dame comes open, Clark Lee is going to be considered for it and well, he should. But it's abundantly clear that as long as there is not a premier elite job available, Clark Lee is the right guy to lead the charge in Nashville for the foreseeable future. And even if it is a, well, we may be down at this position or we may have a question mark at this position, our expectation is we've already seen 10 wins. That's a standard. That, that, that's what we have in goal in store for this upcoming year. We're not gonna sit by and feel like, well, he's a freshman quarterback in Jared Curtis or these transfers all got a jut again. No, we already saw what could happen when we play our best ball. And that's the expectation moving into 20, 26 and beyond. Nine wins ain't cutting it. Eight wins ain't cutting it. At least internally. In my standard for Vanderbilt fans, if you consistently get to 8 and 4 and 9 and 3 and flirt with the College Football Playoff, that'd be a huge win because it's Vanderbilt. You were the doorstep and the laughing stock of college football, let alone the sec. You were literally on the schedule, treated like a cupcake FCS game, like that's what you were for a lot of SEC teams. You're not that anymore. But for Clark Lee, that's not what is is his mantra. His mantra is we're a 10 win campaign. We're a college football playoff. We want Nashville to host playoff games here. And damn it, we think that we're going to.

[C]

I'm sure they will in the new NFL stadium.

[B]

I said, well, to be, well, to be fair, to be fair. When we get to a 32 team playoff, playoff game.

[A]

I was going to say the word I'd use for Clark Lee is, is powerful. It came off very powerful. My favorite quote of his probably was when he said quote, I'm grateful that everyone has had the courage to believe in our vision and walk beside us on the way. Especially to our players who chose to stay and fight together to build something meaningful while the world laughed from the safety of the sidelines. I was like, preach, brother.

[C]

I think that, hey, look, Will, I felt this way about everybody but Eli Drinkwitz that spoke on day one. I'm sure I will feel this way about everybody but Lane speaking tomorrow. I think when you are on the same day as Shane Beamer, like if you come across confident and genuine, everybody is going to walk away feeling like that guy's got it together. This team is on the right track. I think that we have been around this sport long enough to be able to point out who doesn't really believe and I think every single one of these guys, except the one we're about to talk about truly believes they are in the right place with the right guys to move forward.

[A]

Anything jump out from this morning? Guys, did y' all see anything from Kayla? Deborah Johnson, I feel like John Sumrall stole the headlines from Kayla bore just right off the rip. I, I tell you, I don't know if y' all saw this. I'm going to paraphrase a little bit because I don't have the quote pulled up in front of me. But John Sumrall coming out and saying that he felt like essentially their offensive line was weak when he got there and that they've beefed up and they're moving weight. I thought that was very, very John. John Sumrall, I think is going to become probably one of our favorite interviews in the conference. He is just a very. Don't, don't give a damn. I'm gonna let it rip. Just let it all hang out harder.

[C]

And that's the type of guy, that's the thing, right? Some of the early comments he has made in those mass media sessions are very like tired trope football guy. But today when he's getting into specifics that he is calling out, this is why X, y like to me, we don't Put the logo on the side of the helmet until you earn it. Like, yeah, we've been doing that since the 70s. Shut the up. But to come in and say specifically here were the individual problems. Here were the groups that had to get better for us to meet this standard. That is what has me, Chris, leaning more towards what you have just said that this guy is maybe, yeah, maybe he was raised in a football culture and does not know how to be a regular human being. But he is very genuine in what his criticisms of what's around him are. I will say real quick on. On DeBoer, two things stood out to me. Number one, Ryan Williams is about to

[B]

graduate from college at 19 years old.

[C]

And number two, the other thing is this is the. This is the tough part of being Alabama's head coach. It is certainly true of DeBoer. It was true of all of those guys before Saban. They were answering these exact same questions about Bear Bryant. It doesn't matter what you are trying to do, to put your own stamp on it. There is a large section of fans and unfortunately a large section of the media that just do not want you to do that. I remember when maybe the greatest coach in Alabama history, Mike Price, was introduced and at his introductory press conference. At his introductory press conference, he said his only goal in Tuscaloosa was to be the second best coach the school had ever seen. And I remember thinking like, what a fucking loser, right? Yeah, like that's. That's not what you're being hired to do. Like today really opened my eyes to like, God, this as. As much as you are going to get the resources you need, this is not a good job just based on what it is you are walking into.

[B]

No. So let's, let's start with John Summer. I had heard because I was friends with a couple of guys who were on the beat in Tulane about who John Summerall was as a person. And the fun thing is is that they said for a PR staff that is trying to hide back some things and not give away too much information. Nightmare. Nightmare guy to work with. Because he is just gonna lay it out there, be completely honest, not hold back, and it's warranted. It's needed in this conference. Like, I love the quote about him talking quarterback position. Yeah. Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones are battling it out. Just because you start week one doesn't mean I'm going to start your week 12. Cool. You openly are saying, if you suck, I'm benching your ass. Like, I'm not gonna sit around and, and wait for you to figure it out. This is Florida. We're a team that has constantly been told that we should be in national title conversations and my goal is to get back there. If you don't hold up your end of the bargain, your ass is right on the bench. I love that about him. I, I appreciate from the Caitlin the Boar side of things there's just so many details that is self awareness that I think is warranted for this season. You've done a lot of good. You, you got your into the College Football Playoff. You've been to a conference title championship. You have 10 wins. You should have been in almost two playoff championships. I mean two, two playoff appearances. But he even admitted it. My timeline here and the impact and my legacy could be based off if I win a national title. Because that's what the standard is that that's what it's supposed to be. So if I end up going with 100 wins and I guess the playoffs and we go to the semi finals three or four times, I'm still going to be viewed as the third or fourth best coach ever because I didn't bring a title here. Mentioning how the run game was terrible, mentioning how the offensive line was abysmal last season and we have addressed those needs. Talking about how I know the standard is to win a title and this is the quote that I think really, really got me to start believing. At least he understands what are expectations. Until we prove it, we understand that there's going to be doubt. There's people day in and day out who even when you beat Kirby Smart, even when you go a 4 and 1 against top 10 teams last year, even when you are fighting for the number one seed in the College Football Playoff. Nick Saban didn't lose a game. They won by hey, a Nick Saban led team. They won by 30. You won by 7. Oh you went into Death Valley and won against Brian Kelly. Nick Saban went in there and beat the out of Brian Kelly. Like there will always be that. And at least he understands this is a job that where I'm working right now it's never going to be enough until we win a title. And then when we win a title the first thing is it hell yeah. Roll tied back as being the best in college football. It's cool. What do we do for next year? So that way we guarantee we keep the run going and at least he gets it. At least he is self aware enough to realize this job is completely different than anywhere else in the sport. And honestly While I do believe LSU is the best job in college football, Alabama may be the most intimidating job because if it's never enough, it really isn't from fan bases. There's a lot of fans are very happy with Kayla Deborah right now. There's a lot of fans that hate Kayla board right now. But for the national media side of things, from everyone that works with a podcast, anybody that has a microphone, they're judging Alabama completely different. And it's so, so unwarranted because of Kaylin DeBoer is a damn good coach, but you knew what you were signing up for, replacing the greatest guy who ever walked the sidelines at Brian Denny Stadium. And you've done a good job. It still is not good enough and it's nowhere near close.

[A]

John some roll again, guys in Electric Factory. And like I said, I think he's going to be someone that we are very excited to hear from every time he gets in front of a microphone. Just a couple of notable comments he made. John Somerl I'm playing Ole Miss twice last season while up to Lane quote, played him the first time and they beat the out of us. Played them the second time with a different coach and they beat the out of us. End quote. Also, he had a quote, somebody's phone went off in the big room. He said, quote, you would be kicked out of our team meeting. I swear, you're lucky I'm not going to throw this freaking podium right now. That drives me crazy.

[C]

End quote.

[A]

I I don't know what he's going to be on the field exactly, but he's a fun interview if nothing else. He's a fiery guy. I'm sure it is a. I know it's a breath of fresh air for Gator fans who spent the last, what was it, four years. However many listening to Billy Napier, who was like listening to paint dry, it

[C]

was like, well, I mean, think about even before that, listening to Dan Mullen tell them these things they're concerned about just don't matter, right? Like,

[A]

yeah, no really good stuff. Again, we have got Pete Golding and Mike Elko to close out day three. I think we all agreed Wednesday was probably the best day of media day. So it'll be an electric finish. And then tomorrow, of course, we'll close it out. Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkeesian, the highlights of media day. Sark, the last coach to go. So gonna be a fun finish to the event. We'll be sure to cover it all along the way, guys. We're gonna keep it moving Team preview series continues. We're going to talk South Carolina in just a moment. Before we do, really quickly, I do want to tell you about our friends over at Kalshee because as always, we are brought to you by our friends at Cal. She guys, before the season even kicks off, everyone's making predictions. Who wins the division, who makes the playoffs, who's lifting the trophy at seasons in on Kalshee, America's number one prediction market platform, you can trade those predictions in a live market, guys, literally anything and everything. They've got percentage chance to win individual games, make the College Football Playoff, win the national championship, win the Heisman Trophy. You name it, they've got it. Guys. On Cali, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position, trade the draft, pick, the game and more on Kalshi for a limited time down the couchie app, use promo code SCCU to get $10. When you trade 10 that's K A L S H I Kalshi trade on anything 18 and up. Only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Ben Contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for for all investors. Cowshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see kalshi.com regulatory the 2026 season for the South Carolina Gamecocks is just around the corner, Year six of the Beamer ball area era in Colombia, and it is a big year to say the very least, as some believe that Shane Beamer is on the hottest seat in the Southeastern Conference. We are here Previewing the upcoming 2026 season before we look ahead to this season and I promise we won't spend that much time on it because it was a disastrous 2025 season. But we're going to look back and set the stage, guys, because how we got here I think is really, really important because you think about the energy and the hype and the excitement around South Carolina football just a year ago. This time last year we were in a much different place because the gamecocks in 2024, of course, were coming off a season in which you could have argued they should have been in the College Football Playoff if not for a targeting call against Nick, even worry in the LSU game that kept them at 9 and 3. Then you go into 2025. Lenora Sellers is back. Nick Harver is back. Dylan Stewart is back. So much of that talent that nearly got you into the College Football Playoff that previous season and to say last season guys was a unmitigated disaster might be putting it lightly. Carolina went 4, 8, 1 and 7 in SEC play. They were essentially at the bottom of the ranks in every offensive category. No quarterback was sacked more than Lenores Sellers. Defensively they were still solid but took a step back because the offense put them in such bad positions. This was a team that it felt like guys on a weekly basis just found ways to lose games. And the cherry on top was really the Texas end game in which they led that game 33 at halftime and then lost that game 31 to 30. Of course offense, according to Mike Shula was fired near the mid midway point of the season. Safe to say it is one a season that South Carolina fans want to forget. And guys, it has created where we are today, which is Shane Beamer being on one of the hottest seats and in all of college football.

[C]

It's not a hot seat. It's not a hot seat. Chris, he's pre fired. Like we're just waiting for the date because Cole, I, I understand. Actually no, I take that back. I don't understand why you would say this team is underrated other than we all had to come up with somebody. They go through this stretch at the back end of the season where I don't have the schedule in front of me, but they go through this stretch at the back end of the season where they're going to come out of maybe their last is at seven games with a win. Like I think this is going to be a 6 and 6 team. They'll go to a bowl game but nobody is going to feel good about it at season's end.

[B]

The question that I have right now, I think more than anything else is you have talent, you have talent. And it's clear because of we all have not entirely sold our stock on the nor sellers. None of us have said that Dylan Stewart's going to be anything less than a first round pick. We believe that Nick harbor, with time another year can show why he is an elite wide receiver prospect. They went out and they brought in names via the portal that were top tier options. I mean Jakaria's peak being the best offensive tackle South Carolina landed him. If you end up going 5 and 7 this year, you end up being underwhelming and you have talent. Is that finally a moment of where you admit that it's a coaching thing and whether or not it's fair or warranted, the South Carolina fans have expectations and it does feel like that. While you and I and Chris can all say 8 and 4 in this sec with a 9 conference game schedule and a rivalry against Clemson, who's always at least decent. That. That, that's a good year. That's a solid season. It doesn't feel that way for South Carolina fans. We have to be in the same realm as Alabama, as Georgia, as anyone. And it's like be content being in the same realm like Tennessee right now or Ole Miss right now or Missouri right now. You get to 10 wins and you're in the College Football Playoff. That's a good year. That's a great year.

[C]

It is cold. But you're talking about something that is not realistic.

[B]

I mean, it's just like 311 win seasons their entire tenure.

[A]

Oh, to give you.

[C]

So to give you.

[A]

This is one of my favorite conversations every single year, because I think people need to understand historical context. South Carolina has won 10 or more games in a season in their history. Four times.

[B]

Four times.

[A]

Three of those came under Steve Spurier and the other one, rest his soul, Joe Morrison, the Black Magic season in 1984. Chris, nine or more games in a season. Nine times. Yeah, go ahead.

[C]

Sorry, I don't mean to stop.

[A]

I'm just gonna say. Just understanding historical context when you say that, you know, I. I see a lot of people on a yearly basis. Demetri. I know you do as well that throw out casually that nine or 10 wins. And it's like you do understand what you are saying.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Historical context. How unlikely not to say it can't happen. That would be 1,000%.

[C]

Cole, Chris and I, we've known each other for about a decade. We figured out. And for about 10 years we have been texting each other. This fan base does not live on the same planet that the rest of us do. This time last year, I was down in Columbia doing some shows on 1075 the Game. And one day I just realized, like, oh, I've never gone by. I've seen the baseball statue, but I've never seen Dawn's statue downtown. I've never seen Asia's statue in front of the. In front of the arena. So I drove around, I looked at both of them and I came in that day and talked about like, you know, George Rogers has his statue outside of football. And what dawn has done is great. And the baseball national championship is great. This is an SEC school. It's a football school. I think the place would be on fire if they did a Spurrier statue out front of Williams. Bryce. And the number of people that called in to tell me, well, he never won a national championship. How can you give him a statue? Was like, you understand that, like, you are setting a standard that you will never achieve if that is what it takes to celebrate the best coach you've ever had. Like, they, they just. Everything Chris laid out is 100 true. And every single person that wears garnet in black refuses to acknowledge it.

[A]

I. I want to. Guys, we'll. We'll zero in on Beamer here in just a second. But I want to because I feel, you know, obviously on a year in, year out basis, you're building a program, and when you hired a guy like Shane BEAMER Back in December 2020, you know, you continue to learn more about him because it was first ever time being a head coach. Heck, first ever time being anything other than a position coach, essentially. God was never a coordinator. But you continue to learn about the tenure right as it continues to go. So I want to ask y', all, what's the most concerning thing coming out of last year? Because to Dimitri's point, I picked him to go 7 and 5 last year. And you thought I'd committed a war crime. Yeah, 4 and 8. Because everybody was under the assumption, this team's gonna go 10 and two. They're in the playoff. It's a shoe in. What's the most concerning thing coming out of last year? Is it. Or maybe I could even argue the biggest question, because, yes, there's talent, but that talent went 4 and 8 last year. Yes, you've done things, and we're going to get more into details to fix, like the offensive line, for example. But there's still a lot of unknowns. Or is the bigger question, I wonder. South Carolina and shame you're pointed out at SEC committee days, guys, they had six losses last season that were one score. Games going the fourth quarter quarter, and they had games just slip through their fingers. I mean, they were inventing ways. It felt like at times to lose games. They had Alabama beat, they couldn't do it. I mean, the A M game was the most inexcusable thing any of us will ever see. Like, do you look at that as like, well, that was just a one off and a crazy season. Or is that a real concern? Like, what's the most concerning thing coming out of last year, going into this year where it's like, you know, was that a one off or is this kind of part of this program at this point, who you are?

[C]

Yeah, see, gosh, it's. It's so tough to answer that question, Chris, because yes, it's a one off but also that one off is kind of should be expected when you have a coach like Shane Beamer. When you have a guy that is choosing assistants based on who else is growing up in a long shadow of their dad. Right. Like I said, don't get me wrong. I know what Kendall Briles year one in a Kendall Briles offense means to a team, but also know what year two at a Kendall Briles offense means to a team. So great he's got a band aid. He doesn't have the solution. I, I think that no matter what talent is on the field, the coaches will always lower the ceiling on them. I, I just don't think this is a very good coaching system staff and I don't think Shane is putting his trust in the right people. Even the great year they had. Like Chris, you know this like how much did, how much of the conversation about the 24 team was imagine if someone more creative than Dallas Loggins was calling plays for this.

[A]

I mean Shane Beamer's in a great position. Not many guys get four OCs but that is essentially what they're on. We'll, we'll dive into the offense just like I do want to before we get off the shame. You were thinking we can talk about this more when we get to the overall outlook for, for this, for this group and the expectations. Let's not forget it was Shane Beamer after the Clemson game last season that essentially said hey we and I'm paraphrasing but we expect, we expect to be sitting right here after this Clemson game next year. I love this year talking about the College Football Playoff. So he has set those expectations for South Carolina and I sent you guys the graphic to the College Football Playoff Twitter account posted from what Shane Beamer said at media days yesterday. Quote, the expectations always has been since I've been the head coach and always will be at South Carolina to compete for championships and to compete for a spot in the 12 team playoffs. So listen, I will give Beamer credit that he is leaning into big time expectations but the negative side of that is, I mean Bear, you're right. Eight and four won't lean land when you continue to harp to your fan base that we should expect to be going to the playoff. And I will be honest with you Year 6 Honestly, you probably should be expecting to go to the playoff.

[B]

AB Year 6 Be in the conversation of it at least bare minimum.

[C]

Like I think one thing that be and granted he cannot do this publicly. I get that. I think Beamer would do himself a big fan favor to acknowledge I have benefited up until last year. I've benefited from an unserious athletic director. Just period. I, I've benefited from an old model of successful head coach. Let's give him the retirement handshake. Who. Look how long, look how many years of Will Muschamp failing to launch we had to go through before Tanner was willing to pull the trigger.

[A]

You know Ray Tanner shed tears.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

At the press conference when they fire like, that's how incompetent Ray Tanner was. He shed tears over it.

[C]

To be fair. Chris, I have heard from multiple coaches, including David Cutcliffe, who does not seem to like anybody else in coaching. That mush champ is an amazing hang. So maybe, maybe it really is tough to fire.

[B]

Time out. Nobody likes Cutcliffe.

[C]

No, no, no. Cutcliffe doesn't say, seem to have like, unabashed good things to say about anybody. Like everything.

[A]

He doesn't like anyone.

[C]

Yeah, no, no. He. He likes.

[B]

Oh, he's a curmudgeon.

[C]

He's a curmudgeon. He wants to know, I could beat that guy.

[B]

So, so here's where I, I am. And it goes back to what was the biggest flaw last season. It's the same flaw that we had going into the end of last season. Shane Beamer talked a big game before the final whistle. More often than not. The, the, the, the South Carolina, the South Carolina Texas A and M game. He lost half the fan base because of. If you're gonna run your mouth and talk the way that you do. And remember, this wasn't just a, oh, look at what we're doing now. He brought up other games in the past. He mentioned how well, you know, people doubt us in the past. Look at what we did. Look at what, you know, three weeks ago we were left for dead. We did that. And then you blow a 30 point lead and it's embarrassing on fourth down. Marcel Reed is like five of five and he's able to lead the ultimate comeback that propels them into the College Football Playoff and makes them an 111 season because of you. Don't offer a stance. I, I love Shane Beamer. I, I've made this abundantly clear to you. I make this abundantly clear to everybody out there. If there is one coach I want my kid to play for, it would be Shane. He is in my top five. I would run through a brick wall for. I love everything about who Shane Beamer is as a coach, but dude, time and place and right now, knowing that you had one of the most disappointing seasons we have seen probably in the last decade, and talking about going to the college football this time next season, we'll be sitting right here talking about how we're in the playoff format. Brother, you basically are writing yourself a death wish of, hey, if we don't make the playoff, I'm Lincoln Riley and I'm going to be shown the door. Because that's the conversation going on with the other usc. Do you really want to follow the same path?

[A]

Final thing, and we can put a pin in the guys, because I want to get into this year's team, but I know Dimitri, again, we both have a history being in the Palmetto State. Probably still have a lot of connections and friends that are fans of the Gamecocks. Follow the Gamecocks. And I'm curious to get Dimitri's perspective, especially that A M game. Dimitri, like Beamer, had built up so much goodwill to that point where, like, saying anything negative about Shane Beamer was going to be met with. Yeah, not a positive response. That was the first time where I saw a lot of people turn on him, where it was like, we're done. We're essentially done. They. They are now. They are now going into this season. It's almost a guilty until proven innocent feeling, like. And I just, you know, no, no coach is immune to the effects of winning and losing. I don't care how much. How likable. I mean, it's. This is South Carolina's version of Sam Pittman. I don't care how likable you are. Like, you have to win at some point. But I just. There was almost a part of me, Demetri, I never thought we could get to this point because he was so well liked. And there's still a, you know, a large group that support and want him to be there for the long haul. But that was the first time where I was like, man, like, people are really. The stock has plummeted, essentially, so 100%.

[C]

I think that, you know, you got to remember that A M game was the first one after they got rid of. Of Shula. So there was this feeling in the fan base of, well, the real problem, the real weight is off of our necks now. But it's. It's funny, Chris, I had forgotten about that. Yeah. Until you just did that for Cole. And it dawns on me that I think if you're like me, you look at Shay, but there's a lot of Taylor Swift in Shane Bieber, which is. He's very obsessed with his own history and his Easter eggs. Right. That is a reference to his father. 00 tie against Wake Forest. The. The number of times he's taken the exact same pose picture that Steve Spurrier has taken. Right. There is so. And then like Taylor Swift and her obsession with her Easter eggs, the last three albums she's dropped alters. Right. So that's. That's kind of where we are with Shane Beamer. There is a lot of leaning into the hype, leaning into the culture of expectation that you have created and not delivery. I am shocked it took everyone else as long to get here as or it took. It took everybody else so much longer to get where I've been from about day two with this guy. He just seems very hollow to me.

[B]

So to be clear, you're telling me that Shane Beamer is also going to get married on July 3rd in the Madison Square Garden and have literally half the city of New York shut down because if he has temper tantrum. Gotcha. Okay.

[C]

Just making sure, by the way, my

[B]

wife is not going to welcome you into my house anymore. I'm just letting you know that right now she's such a swifty.

[C]

I. I consider 1989 a pop music masterpiece piece. Everything since then, I've kind of gone like, what are we doing here?

[B]

But when I say Life of a Show Girl is an overrated album and it's one of her weaker pieces, God forbid I have to sleep on the couch this night.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

All right. All right. Let's. Let's rein it in and actually talk about this year's South Carolina football team. Because listen, Cole thinks they're one of the most underrated teams in the sec. There is reason for excitement and optimism starting on the offensive side. And guys, I have said that you could label this season essentially such as this. Can Kendall Brile save Shane Beamer? Because if Shane Beamer is going to be at South Carnival in the long haul, it's going to be because his fourth offensive coordinator that mean Kendall Briles worked. And there's reason for optimism. The last time I saw Kendall Browns in the sec, Arkansas was winning nine games. So he has done some productive things with SEC offenses. K.J. jefferson, his last quarterback in this conference. You can relate to a Lenore Sellers. He's obviously trying to fix an offense that ranked 15th in scoring, 14th in rushing a season ago. Lenore Sellers, like I mentioned, is back at QB1, which is a massive boost. The fact he didn't go to the draft or hit the portal huge Win for South Carolina and far retaining him Guys the offensive line is completely revamped via the portal and it was a group that good thing they did because they allowed 43 sacks a season ago. There's a new O line coach they're obviously to going hopeful Guys for Jakaria's peak the NC State transfer to be ready early in the season. Of course he was hurt earlier in the spring playing pickup basketball which is the most south girl on a headline of all time. Matt Fuller, Jawar Howell, Christian Clark, the Texas transfer all man the running back position who is RB1 I think is a big question going into the season. Nick harbor getting him back. I mean one of the most one of the the freakiest athletes Paul's in the SEC returns. You know you saw glimpses of what he could do a season ago and now it's getting more out of him. Can he be that true Wide receiver one weapon on the outside go to guy for Lenora Sellers. Jaden Sellers, his brother is back. Miseo Bennett's back. Donovan Murph, they're all back at wide receiver. They also add Nitro Tuggle which I actually think from Purdue is a really sneaky good pickup. I think this guy could be a big weapon in the offense. Brady Hunt, Mike Tyler back at the tight end position guys as well. When you look at this offense I mean I think it's very simple. There's a lot of question marks but the number one question is this guys can Kendall Briles get Lenore's Sellers back to more so looking like the 2024 version of himself versus the 2025 version of himself where I mean Dimitri has pointed out Mike Shula. I mean just a master class on how to ruin a potent quarterback. They tried to keep him in the pocket and Gamecock fans will shiver when I say the world pro the word pro style offense because that has been something that Shane Beamer's offensive coordinators have lived and died by and most of the time died by. The offenses have not been great. So it's Kendall Briles job to bring some excitement, some unpredictability, some flare to this offense. And that starts with number one the offensive line getting fixed. But number two guys all in all Lenora Sellers has got to have a big year closer to the version of the 2024 version of himself. If South Carolina is going to surprise,

[C]

there is a reason one of the 2015 Carolina Panthers once told me that they weren't quite sure why Mike Shula got an NFC championship ring. That Cam Newton was actually running that offense. And you know, you saw the same thing with Lador Sellers, right? You have this freak athlete that you are trying to turn into a quarterback in the vein of yourself rather than maximize what it is he can do for you. Not as a quarterback, but as a guy with the ball in his hand. How can he just make a play for you? And Lenores is a very capable quarterback. You should be looking at that as addition, not what I have to do instead. Kendall Briles has a history wherever he has been for multiple years. Because you'll remember after Baylor it was like a year at Florida Atlantic, a year at Houston, a year at fsu. But he had three year runs at Arkansas and then most recently at tcu. He has a history of year one being a massive improvement. Year two he falls back to the pack in a big way. And then in year three, you know, ticks up. I don't know if that is a sign of things to come because he's never lasted beyond year three in any job. So I would expect, given that, given the amount of talent that Sellers has, if I am Shane, I am looking at Kendall and saying, I need you to work on Lenoris, Lenoris's trust in Nick. So get Nick harbor where it is. We think he needs to be because we need the deep shot back. We need some reliability in being able to flip the field quickly.

[B]

Well, when you add in a guy like Nitro Toggle, I expect it to be three things. One, fast, two, explosive and three, shot out of a freaking cannon. So hopefully that's added on in and that does help with the explosive plays you're talking about. I think they're on. Their running back room is vastly underrated. Matt Fuller had some good moments last season down the stretch. I love the addition of Christian Clark coming on in from Texas. Now, most people don't remember Christian Clark because if he was buried down the depth chart and they were trying a bunch of other players, but Clark had two or three games where he showed that burst in agility that was allowing him to be kind of a home run threat. And what I get, what I think is important here, the best season that we saw with Lenore sellers came in 2024 when they had a good run game headlined by Rocket Sam. I think if you want to take all the pressure off of Sellers having to be the first, second and only option, you have to have a sufficient run game, I think that you're closer to that. But much like it comes to when we talk about like Oklahoma and John Mattier for that instance. None of this matters if your offensive line is still cardboard crap. It just doesn't. You had the worst offensive line and I will go so far to say you had the worst offensive line among power four teams last year. Like straight up. You were awful. It was embarrassing and frankly put it was one of the most disastrous moments I think of a tenure for a coach who had all the expectations. It doesn't matter what you have when it comes to wide receiver play, what you got a tight end, what you got in the run game. Bottom line is that if you don't have an offensive line holding its block for at least three seconds, you're on the luck. And that's where I think right now making the most underappreciated move I think of the off season for South Carolina was bringing in a guy like Randy Clement who has a relationship with Kendall Briles. Okay, cool. So we're basically running the TCU offense that we had a season ago and the guy that helped us have a good overall ideology with our running game is joining forces with NEAPA Columbia. That's great. But you still have to have the right guys. And honestly the stats of Jakaria's peak is a big deal because of, let's be honest for a second, that's supposed to be a difference maker at left tackle. That's supposed to be a guy that can come on in and be an all SEC type player. And if you don't have him by the time that you play Mississippi State or you have to face off against Oklahoma like Oklahoma later in the year and he still is out at that, at that level, you might as well be filing up the resume and getting on the phone if you're Jeremiah Donati and seeing who is going to be available to become the next South Carolina head coach because if you don't have an offensive line, you're going to have no shot whatsoever.

[A]

Yeah, Shed Surratt guys returns from last year. He did play some but it's essentially an entirely portal built. I mean they completely flipped this room. They're depending on guys from Purdue, from Central Florida, East Carolina and Ferris State to fix the offensive line. So I, I, I just think the big question is can and I'm not saying they can't do it. I'm just listing off where they all came from in the portal. Can maybe the bigger question, Lenora Sellers, can the offensive line just be even just slightly average? If it's just slightly below average, it's still way better than it was Last year.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's at least going to give Lenora Sellers an opportunity. Because, guys, here's the part. Let's say the quiet part out loud. The reason South Carolina was so successful in 2024 and the reason Lenora Sellers looked the way he did is because he had Rocket Sanders next to him. That's the biggest reason that he was able to play free and play loose and the offense had success. So they've got to find a way. I mean, it's no secret to meet you. You've got you. You know this as well as anyone. When South Carolina has teams that can run the football, guess what they do? They win football.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Barring 2020, which was just a weird year, but typically when they can run the football, they're successful. I mean, that's offensive line has plagued this program for. For decades. This isn't even just a Shane Beamer thing. This is just a South Carolina thing for whatever reason.

[C]

Well, that's when you talk about 2024, when you describe Lenores as playing loose and free. Like, in the time that I have been around South Carolina and talking about this team and covering this team, I can't remember another situation outside of 2024 where you had one of the conference's very best running backs at a quarterback that was just as much of a threat to move the ball on the ground. Like, I, I know this was past, past Kendall Briles days in Fayetteville, but I, I think about what K.J. jefferson did in that loss to Alabama where afterwards Saban was like, that is Jason Bourne. Like, I don't know how to make sense of that human being and think that is very much what we expected. North. North Carolina or, I'm sorry, Lador Sellers. I don't know why I said North Carolina to grow into. And that's, that's what you would hope he could be with a more creative play calling.

[A]

Now, guys, the reason there's so much emphasis on the offense and getting that fixed, because as we move the defensive side of the football, they've held up their end of the bargain for the most part. I mean, listen, they took a step back last year, ranked 10th, but I think a lot more of it had to do with the struggles of the offense and putting them in some really tough situations. Clayton White is back at defensive coordinator. And listen, shout out to Clayton White, guys. He's been there since year one of Shane Beamer and I think it goes to show the job that he's done. South Carolina, they were talking about this On SEC Network over the last five years, they've got over a hundred turnovers for us. They lead the SEC in that category. And obviously in a day and age of explosive offenses, turnovers is probably the most important statistic. So again, they have been holding up their end of the bargain and they got Dylan Stewart back at the edge. Now, here's what I think is interesting. Anytime there's an injury report around South Carolina and from Shane Beamer, it's something you got to keep an eye on. What is the status of his back injury? Shane Beamer updated yesterday, saying they're. They're starting to run around a little bit, but it kind of feels like going back to the must champ days. He's got an ankle, he's got a foot, he's got a shoulder. Why? I mean, I've got an ankle, foot and shoulder as well, but I don't really know what that means. So something to keep an eye on. Fully expecting Dylan Stewart will be ready to go week one, but always, you know, especially when you're dealing with a back, always something to keep an eye on. But Dylan Stewart, assuming he's healthy, one of the best edge rushers in all of college football. Gabriel. Gabriel Brownlow, Dendi and Tamiwa Dorajai from Illinois, man, the interior, Julian Walker, fresh and I own that's a potential breakout star for them. At the other edge, they're really excited about Fred Johnson and Justin Okarakwo, I believe is how you say it back at linebacker. Yeah, they're both fantastic players. I think South Carolina actually has a very underrated linebacker room. You get Peyton Williams, Bakari Swain and Judge Collier back in the secondary. So, guys, your thoughts on the Gamecocks defense? And again, I'll echo this yet again. I think the reason there's so much emphasis on the offensive side, not to say the defense has been perfect by any means, but the defense hasn't been. The thing that you look at and say, oh, my God, this team's Achilles heel is just they can't stop anybody because the offense over the years has put him in such difficult spots and they're doing all they can forcing turnovers. Clayton White, I think's done a really good job there. So it feels like yet again, even with some of the departures they had you, you feel like at this point, hey, we can count on the defense at least being solid under Clayton White here.

[B]

Let me throw it to you this way. Do you think that South Carolina can be a top five defense in the SEC this year? With what?

[A]

They have fringe, top five. Yeah, but that's a good. I mean if you're top half of the league, I think that's plenty enough to win a lot of games.

[B]

Nobody's saying that about, about the offense, which is why there is so much of an emphasis on getting this offense right. The young talent that, that Shane Beamer has brought in. You mentioned Julian Walker, but the other name I want to throw out there is the, the, the, the defensive tackle, Noah Clark. He's another guy who has a four star talent that hopefully is going to become the next Taka Hemingway type player. A big defensive tackle that is not afraid to go ahead and get into the nitty gritty of it all. Their depth on the defensive line I think is a massive win this year because if you can rotate guys, you can have situations where if you want to run a three defensive end and one and a nose tackle up the middle, you can do that. Because if you brought in the Collins brothers and you brought back Gabriel Brownlow Dindy and you brought in Caleb Herring from Tennessee so you have opportunities to feel really good about a, a front seven that may be able to eliminate the run and a secondary that while there are some new pieces there and like Bakari Swains moving from not just being a punt returner full time, but now being a full time defensive back, you, you still feel like that they have the opportunity to kind of ease their way on it. They don't have to be from the jump. The elite shutdown players that you saw a few years ago when you had Nicki and worry back there, you have continuity on that side. So South Carolina defensively, I have a strong inclination to believe they will be a group that we talk about weekly on either they did their part and it allowed the Gamecocks offense to work their way back in or they did their part and it still wasn't enough. Like I don't think we will get on here Saturday nights and talk about how South Carolina's defense gave up 400 total yards of offense and four touchdowns and got eviscerated and man coverage, that will never be the case. What it will be is all right, what did the offense look like to how they let them down?

[C]

Yeah, I think, you know, it's interesting. The South Carolina, this is a trend that predates Clayton White, obviously predates the, the Beamer staff. South Carolina has this long, long history of having a dude in the secondary that everybody focuses on and gets and I'm talking about fans, not other teams and gets lost like how sound they have been in the secondary for decades. I am not worried about South Carolina to your point Cole. I'm not worried about teams taking the top off of South Carolina week after week after week. I do I would point out that it feels like we have four years said I am not worried about the defense and the results have still been what they've been like. We can talk about how much talent there is on defense and I guess to the point about it's a trend that predates White and Beamer. Like you could say the same for depth on the defensive line like that that state produces enough talent that that program will never be lacking for players on the too deep of the of the defensive line. But the results have been what they've been. So yeah like we are going to I think just dismiss the defense as that is not going to be the problem and talk more about our skepticism around the offense until they put together a 10 win year.

[A]

I I wonder Dimitri, to your point, I'm not trying to poo poo on Clayton White in the defense but it's almost to your point. Like if they had an elite offense would we talk about the defense the same way or is it that the offense is just so bad that it's like well at least the defense is serviceable?

[C]

You know I think. I think we've had situations where like Stewart's freshman year kinlaw eman war like you've had stars that then go to the NFL and and prove it right. Like he man worry yeah you're gonna

[B]

have another one this year with Dylan Stewart. Probably. Yeah.

[C]

So like I I don't think you can just dismiss that. It is totally about how bad the offense is. But to your point Chris, when was the last time we talked about a Gamecock offensive player as like well we'll be fine because of this guy the way we do defensive players on that.

[B]

By the way Chris, what did you say about the the defense? Poo poo.

[A]

I don't want to poo poo on

[B]

Clayton White hanging out with Blake Rafino. I can understand that one.

[A]

Yeah. That just felt like the most kind way to say that. So again we all agree the the floor of the defense at least feels fairly high. And I mean you talk about pressure Clayton White. Not, not necessarily got to throw a shutout but you got to throw a a one or two hitter every week. It feels like the offense to. To get a win. Guys, let's talk special teams. There's probably no team in the SEC that I feel more inclined to talk special teams, of course, than South Carolina, because Beamer ball, it's a huge factor in the way that they win games. And when they have success, they do things like block kicks and make big plays and return punts for touchdowns. And Max Kelly is looking to take over at the kicking situation. So they do have a question at kicker, if you will. Mason Love, back at punter. He was really good for them a season ago. Bakari Swain, the big one back at returner. Three punt returns for touchdowns in 2025. Guys, let's. Let's talk a little Beamer ball. I, I feel like this is another one of those things you can just count on for South Carolina. And I tell you this, if they're going to hit, let's say if they're going to do what Shane Beamer has said, which is be in the conversation or be in the College Football Playoff, we are going to look back and say special teams was superb. I don't think there's a recipe for South Carolina to have a big year under Shane Beamer's leadership without special teams being a major factor. You don't say that about every single team and every single program. But guys, I think it's just so ingrained in South Carolina's culture. And I think also when you're trying to pull some big upsets and, and flip the script on some games, you're counting on special teams to do so. Cole, you talked about the even years for Shane Beamer and the major successes they've had. I challenge you go back and look at those years. The constant with all of them was special teams was a weapon for them. I think it'll have to be the same this year.

[C]

It's not even just win special teams as a weapon like, you know, Swain returning so many punts for touchdowns last year. It is. Special teams is just so sound. Right. Like they're never going to be caught out of position. They defend special teams really well under Shane Beamer. Like, you know, Chris, you mentioned earlier that Beamer has never been a coordinator and I guess technically that's true because he was a special teams coach. Right. And, and that shows up in the way that he and his father prioritize that phase of the game. It's. It's not just the big play. It is also you don't let the big play happen to you.

[B]

What's interesting is that they may have other options outside of Akari Swain at punt returner, which is why you talk about the athletes that go to Columbia and Play at Willie B. It's impressive.

[A]

Like, it's crazy. Nick harbor can't return points.

[C]

It's crazy.

[B]

No, but like, but like he's the, he's the main kick returner for them going into this year. And if it's not him, it could be Nitro Toggle. And Nitro Toggle was a return man for Purdue and he was really good at it. And so it's like you have athletes to where special teams to me is such a clutch factor to have because of either it is basically hot dog shit water or it is elite and there's no in between. And so like when you talk about team like South Carolina having that as like an advantage, the way that Oklahoma has like a Tate Sandow where you just feel so confident that whenever he takes the field he's making the kick, having that in one capacity, punting to be able to pin them deep inside their own territory, return man who can go average 40 yards of play. Whatever it is, it gives you a plus. I think that the thing with South Carolina going into this year is that they may have three or four guys that can do that, at least in the return game. Now, again, doesn't mean every single time they're going to be out and they're going to start your game off at the 50. But knowing that you have a player too that could just be busted on open into the, into the flats for a gain of 4, 40 or 50, it's an advantage and it's a way to I think, be able to help you set the tone for matchups moving forward.

[A]

Guys, let's move to our overall outlook of the South Car gamecocks going in the 2026 season. First things first, what are our friends over at Cali think? This is what they say, percentage chance when it comes to win totals. Guys, Cali gives South Carolina an 84% chance to win five or more games, 72% chance to win six or more, 48 to win seven or more, 27% to win eight or more, 10% to win nine or more, 8% to win 10 or more, 3% to win 11 or more. And then 12 wins is under 1%. So the number kind of breaks, guys. Six and a half is kind of where you see from 72 to 48. That's where you see the big drop. Six and a half, seven right in that area. If you're talking about College Football Playoff. If South Carolina is going to get there, as Shane Beamer has laid out, they should be in the combo. Kalsha gives them a 13 chance to be in the College Football Playoff. As far as winning the national championship. South Carolina with a less than 1% chance to win it all. The Gamecocks have nine starters back. Four on offense, five on defense. Demetri, you alluded to earlier in the conversation, the schedule. Let's take a look at that. Because the schedule, of course, plays a big part. And is your schedule conducive to a big year? Two snoozers to open up the season. Let's call it for what it is, but great opportunities for the offense to get their feet under them. Kent State and Towson.

[C]

And let's be fair. I don't know if you saw it, Mac, media days. Yesterday, Kent State rolled out some sick new uniforms.

[A]

Well, let me. I mean, hey, to be fair, by

[B]

the way, they home or away is a big question.

[C]

So they rolled out the home, but I would guess the away at least features the same colors.

[A]

And I mean, listen, to be fair, to be fair, South Carolina has a history of struggling in season openers. Who can forget even 2024, the Old Dominion game? I. I know, like ancient history, but I mean, that did happen. But again, Kent State, Towson. Excuse me. You feel confident with the way you're starting the season? Easing into it, if you will. Your SEC opener is Mississippi State at Williams Bryce Stadium. Very, very interesting game. You're at Alabama to close out the month of September. You then welcome Kentucky to Willie B. To get October going at Florida. The Gators are back on the schedule. You have a bye week. Tennessee at home, they're back on the schedule at Oklahoma on Halloween. Texas A and M at home to get November going at Arkansas. Georgia at home, they're back on the schedule. And then at Clemson to close out the season. Guys will open it to y'.

[B]

All.

[A]

Your thoughts on the schedule for the Gamecocks this upcoming season.

[C]

They will start 3, 0 and into 3 and 6.

[B]

So 6 and 6 on the year.

[C]

6 and 6 is what I have. Matt. Yeah.

[B]

What's so interesting is that like, yeah, you don't face off against an Ole Miss. That was like, that could be a toss up game. But you still face off against a Tennessee team. That could be a toss up game. Now the good news is the last time Tennessee came to your house, they ran out of fireworks because you were scoring so much. So that's a plus at Willie B. But you still, if, if South Carolina. The way that I think that we could talk about South Carolina is that if you end up making the college football Playoff again if giant, if major, if gotta throw that out there as a million times possible. It will be warranted and you will have been tested because of every team that's on your schedule outside of Georgia. I think it's in your categories or in your wheelhouse potentially if you are that good. I think Texas A M could be is probably flirting with a 9 and 3 season. I think Alabama is flirting with a 9 and 3 season. I think Florida could be really impressive. I think Oklahoma's gonna be flirting with the 9 and 3 season. Clemson for the matter of where they are in the ACC is flirting with the 102 season which would be 9 and 3 in the SEC. So like all those teams are at the same vicinity issue which means they're all toss up games. You have a bad play here, you have a bad moment here, you have a, you have an absolutely horrendous punt return or a, a terrible interception in the fourth quarter. That's where momentum goes to the other side. So think of it like Lloyd Christmas said. You're saying there's a chance. Yeah. Galaxy says that you have a 13 shot at making the playoff there.

[C]

Let's say those are all toss up games. Those six that you just mentioned, four of them are on the road and I'm not saying that instantly means South Carolina should be should be considered at a disadvantage. But I will say for as many years as I have watched him and going to this team's games, I am always surprised by even in the year of our Lord 2025, teams underestimate the environment of the Willy B. Particularly at night.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[C]

So if this is a toss up game and you have that crowd and you have Sandstorm and you have that stupid chicken all on your side, I feel much better than having to do it at Tuscaloosa, at Norman, at Gainesville, etc. Etc.

[B]

Guys, how dare you disrespect the War Chicken himself.

[A]

Guys, the game that I circle on this schedule is October 24th against Tennessee because I, I think that game could serve one of two purposes. Both massively important because it kicks off the second half of your season. And I agree with Dimitri, you need to stack wins early. The first two non negotiable need to win. Mississippi State and Kentucky are both massive. If you lose either one of those guys, that Tennessee game becomes the most important game of the season. Because I think there's a very good chance Shane Beamer is coaching for his job in that game. I don't think he'll be fired in the bye Week. But I think his 10 years on life support. If they lose one of those two and let's say they start three and three right. On the flip side, what if you start five and one and you win those games and then you go into the buy and then you go into Tennessee. That game will serve as, hey, if we're for real going to make a run of the College Football Playoff, gotta win this one. That could propel you into the second half of the season because the Dimitri's Point at Oklahoma A M, Georgia, at Clemson, they all await you. So what did we talk about, Cole, last year? They kind of had the same setup last year where we were like, hey, they can get off to a really fast start. They can start 5, 0. You know, little did we know early on how good like a Vanderbilt was going to be and that that derailed them early. It was derailed before the season could ever really get going. You have to take advantage of the front half of this schedule. And again, that's why I think the Tennessee game is so important. Because I think one of two things is happening in that game. Either Shane Beamer's coaching for his job or South Carolina is looking to propel themselves in the second half of the season to make their run potentially to the College Football Playoff. So I, I think it's a, a massive game. And let's call for what it is. South Carolina people hate Tennessee. They hate them. So I mean Tennessee fans hate South Carolina because of the struggles they've had against them over the years. So I think that's a massively important game for them right in the middle.

[B]

Is it wrong for me to say that the most impressed, like the game that I'm looking forward to the most is Mississippi State? Because that's gonna tell me a lot. Huge.

[A]

I mean, I.

[B]

Here's gonna tell me a lot.

[A]

I, I don't disagree with you, Cole. I think there's a very strong case to be made that that is the most important game. Because if you lose to Mississippi State, the season is over before it ever even got started. Like you people will be ready to pack it up. If you lose to Mississippi State.

[B]

Grab your Tito's and your tequila and just start drinking.

[A]

Because I mean, I think people will be like, that's. That will be the game that gets people fired in Shane. Or that will be the gamer fired in people's minds. Yeah, that'll be it.

[B]

I have no complaints. Again, I. But I agree with you, Chris, that Tennessee game is so important for so many different reasons because of it's literally a crossroad. Can you be that team that Shane Beamers talked about all offseason? We're competing for the football player. You win against Tennessee at home, you do what you did to Tennessee the last time that they came into Willie be people are going to start respecting you a lot more. People are going to start paying attention. You lose that game. Nice season. Welcome to seven five. Really excited for you bud.

[A]

I know you can say this Cole and Demetri about a lot of teams too but like the way this schedule, just how difficult the schedule is. It depends on, you know, what is Kentucky year one of Will Stein, what is Florida, year one of John Sumrall? What is Tennessee in a year where some are expecting to be down what is, you know, what is Arkansas year one or Ryan Superfood. What is Mississippi State really? What is A M? What is Oklahoma? Etc. So I can keep going down the list. So guys, as we put a pen in it in closing here, like let's circle back to the Shane Beamer conversation and I so much of it is around Shane Bieber just has to be right because I want to get you guys take on this. I have gone on record many times. I'll do so again here because I think it's fascinating. I think in our minds we have what a successful season would be for South Carolina. But then I go back to what Shane Beamer said after the Clemson game and it's like, well, should it be college? Should South Carolina be a college football playoff or bust team? And if not, Dimitri and Cole ask you what must South Carolina do for the Shane Beamer era to extend past 2026? How many games must they win? Because I think we are past the point of well, what does it have to look like? It's like ah, we're, this is the wins and losses business. And if he's going to be there for the long term, like they gotta, they gotta win football games. So in your mind, Dimitri, I'll start with you. What's the win total they gotta hit? What's it gonna look like for Shane Beamer to be back in 2027?

[C]

I, I don't think you could justify firing him if they win seven before the bowl game because that would be a massive, massive improvement from the year before. You've invested in Kendall Briles, etc, you know. Etc. However, I do think winning seven, I do think winning even eight. Like we're still on this roller coaster, man. You have not proven you're the dude. This doesn't do anything other than buy you one more year. So look, I am, I am not a believer in Beamer as being able to build a consistent winning program. The idea that they should be College Football Playoff or bust is very silly to me. Like, I, I do wonder if Shane Beamer has really been living in Columbia for the last six years, but I do think you won four games last year. You made a change with an offensive coordinator that has a history in year one of putting things on, on the path to improvement. I think if he wins seven, it's really hard to justify letting him go.

[B]

I think it's eight wins. I think if you get eight wins, you are guaranteed back for another year. Now, again, as Chris, you like to point out, it's not about how it looks, right? It's, it's, it's somewhat how it looks because it's against who you win. Let, let's, let, let's say it's like Texas A and M schedule last season where we thought Texas A M was going to get a bunch of teams that were better than expected. Auburn, Florida, South Carolina. And they didn't hold up their end of the bargain. So they got to 11 1. Do you have that signature win like that win that really makes it seem like here we are put above everyone else. Do you go into Tuscaloosa and finally beat Alabama because you've been close the last two years? Do you have an opportunity to beat Georgia? Do you march into Norman and find a way to mollywop the crap out of Oklahoma? Is Texas A M a team that is fighting for a playoff berth and you get to be the spoiler? I think that's kind of important. Eight wins. I think winning the game against Clemson at Clemson is a necessity. If you win that one again, you and you and you both. I, I, I don't have any ties to South Carolina, but you both have told me that game has meaning behind it. Like that has so much of an impact for what you do as the South Carolina. If you win that game and you're eight and four, you're not getting a contract extension, but you sure as hell are not getting fired. And then if you get the bowl winning, you Finish the year nine and four, you'll be a top 25 team. You'll be a team that people will buy into once again of being impactful in the portal. But I think you have to get to eight wins to guarantee your back. If you're seven and five. I, I, I can't promise that it's fair whether or not we could get seven and five like, like, like Shane Beamer or should be fair for a program like South Carolina. It's different. And let me remind everybody, Jeremiah Donati is now the, is now the athletic director. That was not a Shane Beam. That was not Jeremiah Donati. Higher. Keeping Shane Beamer around for one more year was a Jeremiah Donati move. 80s want their own people. They at the end of the day ads want their own people. That bottom line. So if you are not if you're at 7 and 5 and there is a hotshot coordinator or a rising coach that's available and they say I want to come to South Carolina, that's a move that's going to happen.

[C]

I, I, there's the problem there. That person does not exist. Right. Nobody is looking at South Carolina. Nobody is looking at that job given its recent history where the only people that have won there consistently or the only person that won there consistently is one of the greatest of all time. And saying that is that I could accomplish things there. Nobody's doing that.

[B]

What, what I will say is I could see this being a Manny Diaz 2.0 at Miami because remember Manny Diaz had the job. He was safe, he was secure. Everything was good. They didn't want him around anymore because if they were going after Mario Cristobal and Mario turned them down, they were going to run it back. Mario said yes. Hi. Get out of the building. Go enjoy being Penn State. Steve. It's coordinator. Like if there is a dude like that I could see. But again, you're right. It's not the job that's like in Alabama. It's not the Georgia.

[C]

South Carolina is not Miami. In, in so many ways. South Carolina is not Miami.

[A]

I, I will say though, I think we're to a point where I'm, I, I don't want to hear anybody say anymore that he should continue to be the head coach because he, he wants to be there. I guys, it's, he's getting paid eight and a half million dollars. I'd want to be there also. You know what I mean? Let's, let's remove that. As far as a qualification as to why you should be a head football coach anywhere, much less South Carolina. I think it's very, I say it's very simple. There is some gray area, but 8 and 4 or better. I think he should be back. I think that will deserve a job. Well done. See you in 2027. 7 and 5 is, is definitely great area for me. I'm actually going against exactly what I just said from the standpoint of how does it look? I mean, if you have another A and M game, you have to be done. He's got to be fired. The offense needs to take a step forward because I, I think Shane Beamer is one of those where his tenure largely will be judged based off of what did you do with Lenora Sellers? What, what did you, what did you get out of Lenora Sellers? I, I, I feel like there will be a very empty feeling for people if they don't achieve something of significance with a guy like Lenora Sellers at quarterback. I think 6 and 6 are worse and I think he has to be fired. But I, I will even go to this Dimitri, I agree with you from the standpoint of, I know there's not a lot of weight in 8 and 4 or 9 and 3 seasons anymore, especially 8 and 4. 8 and 4 used to be celebrated, right? I mean, it used to be something you could really hang your hat on. And how many times is South Carolina going to the Outback bowl and won it like that? That's one of the greatest seasons of program history. Let's go for what it is. No longer is 8 and 4 celebrated, but I still think 8 and 4 better. He should be back. You're right, though. At 7 and 5, it's kind of like we're stuck in this vicious cycle because 7 and 5 was, you were just good enough to keep your head above water.

[C]

That's really all it was, 100%.

[A]

I, you didn't really win anything of real significance at 7 and 5, so. But I think there's a good chance he's back. I think 7 and 5 with a win over Clemson, and I think he is back. But there's a lot in the fan base, guys that are, they have this playoff from us mentality. This is the best roster he's had since they've been here. I don't know if I fully agree with that, but that's what a lot of people are saying. And they, and I will say you can't get mad at Gamecock fans for saying that, though, guys, because Shane Bieber himself set that expectation. So I'm kind of conflicted from the standpoint, too. If I'm like, I'm sitting here talking about Kaylin Naboor's seat being hot. I'm sitting here talking about, you know, some other coach, Steve Sarkeesian or whoever, hey, Lane Kiffin is natting or bust in year one, but Shane Beamer's not playoff or bust in year six. Yeah, I Mean, and I understand historical context and I get it, but I mean, I don't blame people for thinking that way. I really don't. Hey, roster be damned. You're the one that if the roster is not in a position to compete for a playoff in year six, it

[B]

falls on one person.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

The guy who put the roster together. So like I get that level of frustration where when people hear us say well 7 and 5 and he should be back in the saddle, it's like, no, 7 and 5 is not good enough anymore.

[C]

Yeah, I, I hear you and you're not wrong at all. I just think that at the end of the day you are going to have to pay a buyout. You're not sure how attractive this job is. He did do the exact thing you asked him to do. Affix the offense and improve. I think they would be able to justify not making the move at 7.

[A]

Even a 3 win performance to your credit. That'd probably be one of the best turnarounds.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Of anybody in the league.

[C]

Yeah, agreed. And on top of that, I, I think think the other thing is like it's not just that they went out and got a more dynamic play caller. You've got a guy who has shown over and over again on a three year track. Does sustain like there will look the, the numbers almost guarantee that if Kendall Briles and Shane Beamer get a year two together, it's not going to be as good as year one. But if they get a year three together, we're going to see year one all over again. I'm not saying any South Carolina fan should look at 7 and 5 and go, okay, things are good. I just think the math says it would be tough to justify paying all the money and doing the search.

[A]

So if Demetri. I would say this. If you're South Carolina, 7 and 5 is like the worst case scenario.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

It's like either show me you're it or get the hell out of Dodge.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

One of the two don't go. Seven and five is like the worst case scenario.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

That you could be in more South

[B]

Carolina fans would want to go 3 and 9 and 7 and 5 because

[A]

at least then you know. At least then you know. So one of the most fascinating teams in the sec no doubt. Feels like a very boom or bust team in 2026. Guys would love to get your thoughts. How do you feel South Carolina will fare this season as the countdown to kickoff for the Gamecocks continues. Guys, really good stuff today. That was a lot of Fun as I expected a very spirited conversation around South Carolina really quickly. Guys, if you're trying to go to a South Carolina game, or any game for that matter, our friends are at game time. The best way to do it Download the Game Time app. Use promo code Secu to get 20 off your first purchase. It's not just sports, though. Concerts, comedy club events, any event, any function. As our friend Demetri Gavas pointed out as well, you can sell your tickets on game time very easily as well. For every event that I go to, I use Game Time. You should as well Download the app. Promo code SECU. Get $20 off your first purchase. Guys, we've been going over an hour and a half, so if there's a question or two y' all want to highlight, we can. But for the most part, we can put a pin in it. I will say Yasuru did comment this and I appreciate you being tuned in the entire show. Sticking around for the preview seven before a bowl game isn't enough with the talent they have. There you go. There's a lot of people that feel that way, guys. Yeah, I don't want to feel that way.

[B]

I, I again, I genuinely believe that South Carolina fans either want to be in the College Football Playoff or go three and nine. They.

[C]

They do not.

[A]

Here's a good question or a good statement, but I think could be turned into a question. Ryland Report. If they're at 7 and 3 and you drop the last two to Georgia and Clemson, I mean, you've put together a pretty good year if you're sitting there at 7 and 3. But I mean, Georgia's got to be marked as an L. I'm sorry, it just has to.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think at that point, see, Clemson would be the swing game. I think that game will control so much of the narrative, especially Dimitri. What if Clemson's a seven win team? Yeah, it's not like you got like when you were losing a Trevor Lawrence and them, you were like, man, they're just, they're just vastly better than us. It is what it is. I people, I mean, obviously Clemson's not what they were. People don't feel that way about Clemson. So Lou, it's, it's inexcusable. It feels like to lose the Clemson now.

[C]

Yeah. I think one thing that I think sometimes people underestimate and admittedly the people that log on to sit here with us as we do a live stream are a different kind of fan. And I mean this in a positive sense. They are a different kind of fan than the person that picks up a telephone to call sports radio. Cole, you. You do the job as well. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

Very well.

[C]

When I. No, I'm sorry, not when I started working in Columbia because I was there for the last Spurrier year. Georgia has broken South Carolina's fans brains as badly as Clemson has. It's like Clemson picked or like Georgia picked up the baton when Clemson is done. Because Chris, I can't tell you how many people I have talked to down there that are confident that if Kirby didn't leave the Gamecocks at the altar, they would be the one experiencing all this right now. Now that that doesn't seem true to me, but I to to Rylan's point, seven and three and then you lose to Clemson, which is unexcusable and Georgia, which will just solidify for the fan base. Well, we'll never be where we should have been. I could totally see that 7 and 5 being very different than, you know, down the stretch you pick off Clemson and that's what gets you to seven and five, guys.

[A]

Ryland report also says Kendall Browse must overlook higher this year. South Carolina will have it on his experienced teams by snaps played in the nation. To be fair to his point, they do return 68% of offensive production via Bill Connolly which leads the SEC. I will give you credit there. We'll have a top five defense in the SEC with Stewart and Julian Walker. Again he says it's got to be 9 and 3. So I again, I don't blame anyone. The head football coach is the leader of your program. If he tells you that we're fully expecting to be in this position, this is our expectations, guys. I don't blame anyone for saying, well, you said it. I mean, we didn't put those expectations on you. You did. Yeah, you did. You're telling us that is what should be expected and anything less than that is a failure. Congratulations. You, you, you. You played yourself. I mean I, I don't know how else would it. You played yourself.

[B]

You, you were the only one to blame because of what you decided to do by running your mouth. And now you got to go ahead and pay the piper.

[A]

Yeah. Yasuru also comments. I think they showed a huge high in 2024. Now the fans expected, especially when the talent came back to flop so hard last year had me yelling from the rooftops to fire Beamer. You were not the only one, I can assure you. All right, guys, on that note, really, really good stuff today. Cole, Dimitri, I appreciate y' all this has been a lot of fun as it always is. Stay tuned all of our Content Guys, we're going to continue to cover SEC Media Days, of course, and we continue along counting down the days to kick off Fall camp just around the corner. Kickoff will be here before you know, guys, we're going to be talking about previewing and predicting week one in the next couple weeks, which is just crazy to say. So guys, again, appreciate you all tuning in. Make sure you hit that like and subscribe button on YouTube. Check us out where get your podcast all across your favorite social media platforms as well as our website sec unfiltered.com follow the demetri of Honest and Cole Thompson on social media. You can follow me as well. And again, stay tuned to all of our content. It is content bleeding out of the eyeballs. Gentlemen, once again, I appreciate you all. Appreciate you guys doing what you do. Appreciate you all tuning in. Hope you have a great rest of your Wednesday. Enjoy the rest of SEC Media Days. We'll talk to you all on the other side.

[C]

Cheers.

[A]

Sa. Ra.